Oregon coach Bev Smith made it official Monday that Velaida Harris is becoming the women’s basketball team’s newest assistant coach.
Harris, who served as Director of Operations last season, replaces the departed Selena Ho, who resigned in April. When Ho resigned, Smith had hinted then that Harris was in line to join the coaching staff.
“We are very pleased and excited to add Velaida’s talents to our coaching staff,” Smith said in a media release. “She is an incredible teacher, a passionate and enthusiastic coach and an ideal role model for young women.”
Harris has a large amount of basketball experience within Oregon, starting with her stint as a player at Portland State from 1989 to 1993 and continuing into her coaching career.
Before coming to Oregon in fall 2007, Harris was head girls’ basketball coach at Lake Oswego High School from 2004 to 2006. She led the team to consecutive state playoff appearances and had an overall record of 40-15. Harris also coached at Lincoln Senior High School from 1997 to 2004 and had an overall record of 123-52.
Now she will be sharing her experience with an Oregon team looking to make its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since the 2004-05 season.
“I am excited about the direction of this program’s future,” Harris said in a media release. “Last year’s experience allowed me to gain a greater understanding of the time, effort and dedication it takes to run a Division I collegiate program. I am hopeful that the energy, knowledge and passion I bring to the game will be a positive contribution to the team, coaching staff and community.”
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