McCray-Penson Announces Staff Addition Of Tamisha Augustin

STARKVILLE – Ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, Mississippi State women's basketball head coach Nikki McCray-Penson announced the hiring of Tamisha Augustin as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

"Tamisha has a championship pedigree," said McCray-Penson. "It doesn't get much better than coaching in the Final Four, and that experience is what we need. She is a tenacious recruiter, and she really relates to players. She knows what the expectations are, and I like the mentality that she brings."

Augustin, who was named the 2021 World Exposure Report Assistant Coach of the Year, has spent the last two seasons on staff at Arizona, where she helped coach the Wildcats to the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA National Championship game this year. Arizona bested its opponents in the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight and Final Four by double-digit points during the historic run, which was highlighted by a 69-59 victory against No. 1 UConn in the semifinals.

During her stint in Tucson, Augustin guided Arizona to a 45-13 record and coached them to seven victories against top-10 teams. Working with post players, she played a critical role in the development of two-time All-Pac-12 honoree and Naismith Trophy candidate Cate Reese. Augustin has also proven herself as one of the top recruiters in the country, signing three top-100 players and a pair of top transfers.

"I am excited to be joining the Bulldog family," Augustin said. "I am looking forward to further building the championship culture here at Mississippi State University. I've admired Coach McCray's work ethic and dedication to women's basketball on all levels, and I look forward to growing and learning from one of the best in the sport. I have a passion for defense and playing an up-tempo style of offense. I am truly humbled and grateful for this opportunity. I am ready to hit the ground running."

In her first season, Augustin helped Arizona to one of its most successful seasons of all time, as the Wildcats finished the season with a 24-7 record, tied for the second-most wins in program history. The Wildcats won three games over top-10 opponents and beat their first top-five team in program history after beating No. 4 Stanford in overtime. Additionally, Arizona's win in Corvallis over ninth-ranked Oregon State was the first time in school history Arizona beat a top-10 team on the road.

Augustin helped Arizona sign five-star prospect Lauren Ware, a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year and Jordan Brand Classic roster selection in 2020. She also helped bring in transfers Bendu Yeaney and 2020 ACC Sixth Player of the Year Trinity Baptiste, both of whom were starters on this year's national runner-up team.

Prior to Arizona, Augustin spent back-to-back one-year stints at Cincinnati (2017-18) and Minnesota (2016-17). At Cincinnati, she helped the Bearcats win 19 games, the team's most victories since the 2002-03 season. The Bearcats earned their first postseason bid since 2012 with an invite to the WNIT. She coached Iimar'i Thomas to AAC Freshman of the Year honors. Augustin groomed Minnesota's All-Big Ten Second Team honoree Carlie Wagner and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection Kenisha Bell during her one year on campus.

In the summer of 2016, Augustin was one of seven assistant coaches from around the country chosen to participate in Advocates for Athletic Equity's (AAE) annual "Achieving Coaching Excellence" (ACE) Professional Development Program. The program is recognized as helping to boost the careers of some of the top minority coaches in the college game.

Augustin was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at UCF from 2014-16. She oversaw a stellar 2014-15 season for Zykira Lewis, who earned all-league second team recognition, set a UCF single-season record with 86 3-pointers and averaged 18.9 points per game. As recruiting coordinator, Augustin helped bring in a class which included two players who would go on to earn AAC honors.

Prior to UCF, Augustin had successful stints as an assistant at VCU (2013-14), Marshall (2012-13) and South Carolina State (2010-12). Before getting into college coaching, she gained experience on the Nike Circuit and high school levels.

Augustin played collegiately at Alabama A&M from 2002-06 and was a two-time All-SWAC shooting guard and a four-time captain. An injury ended the Hampton, Virginia, native's professional playing career in Hungary.

Augustin graduated from Alabama A&M with a bachelor's degree in biology in 2005. She earned a master's degree in microbiology there in 2007 and obtained a master's in education from Regent University in 2010.

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Mississippi State University Athletics

McCray-Penson Announces Staff Addition Of Tamisha Augustin

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