Ole Miss finalizes new contract with women’s basketball head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin

Yolett McPhee-McCuin said this week she was close to finalizing an extension to remain head coach of Ole Miss women’s basketball for years to come. 

‘Close’ apparently meant in a day’s time. 

The university mid-afternoon Tuesday officially announced McPhee-McCuin’s new contract, which arrives following a 2022-23 season in which the Rebels reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in 16 years. They’ve been to the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons.

The new deal runs through the 2026-27 season. McPhee-McCuin will make $1,035,000 in 2024, joining 11 other college coaches in pulling in a seven-figure salary, as compiled in the spring by USA Today for its database.

“Coach Yo has our women’s basketball program on a championship trajectory, and we can’t wait to see what lies in the years ahead with her vision, energy and relentless dedication,” Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter said. 

“Her focus on leading this team to national contention is remarkable. Equally impressive has been the impact that she has made on the Oxford community. We are excited to commit to coach Yo’s future here in Oxford and look forward to experiencing more of the tremendous highs that her first five seasons have provided the Ole Miss family.”

McPhee-McCuin is entering her sixth season leading the Rebels.

Ole Miss last season totaled 11 SEC wins, matching a program-best. The Rebels hit the mark for the first time in the SEC’s 16-game conference format, and Ole Miss, defensively, shattered the program block record (174).

“I want to thank my representation, Ricky Lefft, for working tirelessly with the administration at Ole Miss to come to terms with a contract extension,” McPhee-McCuin said. “We believe this extension acknowledges we have diligently worked to rebuild Ole Miss women’s basketball into a nationally relevant program on and off the court. 

“I also want to thank chancellor Dr. Glenn Boyce, athletics director Keith Carter, senior woman administrator Dr. Jen Saxon, our athletics administration and Ole Miss fans for their support. My husband, Kelly, and my family have tremendous love for the Oxford community and Ole Miss fans, and I look forward to building on the success of our program.”

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Ole Miss was an eight-seed in the NCAA Tournament last postseason.

It was the 19th all-time berth in the Big Dance for the Rebels.

They easily dispatched of nine-seed Gonzaga in the first round. The Rebels and their signature defense held the Bulldogs to just 48 points — the fewest they’ve allowed in tournament play in school history. They also set a new high in rebounds (51).  

Ole Miss took down No. 1 seed Stanford in the second round. The Rebels never trailed en route to a 54-49 win to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2007. Ole Miss became the fifth eight-seed in NCAA Tournament history to reach the regional semifinal. The win over the Cardinal pushed the Rebels to 25 overall wins for the sixth time in 48 seasons of women’s basketball. They last pulled off the feat in 1986-87.

McPhee-McCuin turned Angel Baker into a first team All-SEC selection. She was the second Ole Miss player to be awarded the Gillom Trophy. The Gillom Trophy is handed out annually to the top women’s college basketball standout in the state of Mississippi. Madison Scott is currently with Team USA and signed three years ago as school’s first McDonald’s All-American. She was named to the All-SEC Defensive Team, her third selection with the Rebels. She was second team All-SEC.

McPhee-McCuin reloaded in the off-season.

Ole Miss added five freshmen and three transfers. Kennedy Todd-Williams (North Carolina) and KK Deans (Florida) were ranked as Top 15 transfers by ESPN. The Rebels also return three starters.

They’ll leave out for their foreign trip to Italy August 30.

“Really excited about this group,” head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said Monday. “Just a really fun group of young women that understand what’s next for us — that next step. They’ve only been here, I think, as a group three weeks, but it’s been an incredible three weeks. It’s almost as if we have been together all summer, honestly. 

“One of the things I really like about our group is the personalities. Last year, I thought we were always fun-loving. This group is still fun-loving, but they’re competitive and super focused, which makes for intense practices.”