On Thursday, March 6, 2025, Auburn University announced the termination of women’s basketball head coach Johnnie Harris, a decision that came on the heels of the Tigers’ 60-50 loss to Florida in the first round of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament.
Johnnie Harris’s Tenure at Auburn
Johnnie Harris was appointed as the head coach of Auburn’s women’s basketball program in April 2021, bringing with her a wealth of experience from previous coaching roles at institutions like Mississippi State and Texas. Her hiring was met with optimism, especially considering her instrumental role in leading teams to national prominence in her prior positions.
In her inaugural season (2021-2022), Harris faced the formidable challenge of rebuilding a program that had struggled in the preceding years. The Tigers concluded that season with a 10-18 record, showing marginal improvement from the previous 5-19 season. The 2022-2023 season saw further progress, with Auburn achieving a 16-15 record and earning a spot in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), marking their first postseason appearance since 2019.
The 2023-2024 season was arguably the pinnacle of Harris’s tenure. The team posted a 20-12 record, their highest win total since 2019, and went 8-8 in SEC play, marking the first time since 2019 that the Tigers finished .500 or better in league competition. This performance earned them a berth in the NCAA tournament, where they faced Arizona in the First Four round but fell short with a 69-59 loss.
However, the momentum did not carry into the 2024-2025 season. The Tigers struggled, finishing with a 12-18 overall record and a 3-13 mark in SEC play. Their season ended with a seven-game losing streak, culminating in the SEC tournament loss to Florida. This downturn in performance was a significant factor leading to Harris’s dismissal.
Athletic Director John Cohen’s Statement
Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen, who had previously worked with Harris at Mississippi State, expressed his respect and admiration for her in a statement:
“I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Johnnie. Having worked with her for more than a decade at two institutions, I know Johnnie is an exceptional person with a great basketball mind. I thank Johnnie for the way she represented Auburn and for her contributions to our women’s basketball program. While these decisions are never easy, the program must move in a new direction.”
Harris’s Coaching Background
Before her tenure at Auburn, Harris built a reputable coaching career. She served as an associate head coach under Vic Schaefer at Mississippi State from 2012 to 2020, during which the team made multiple deep NCAA tournament runs, including two national championship game appearances. Harris then followed Schaefer to Texas for the 2020-2021 season before accepting the head coaching position at Auburn.
In recognition of her contributions to the sport, Harris was slated for induction into the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Hall of Fame in April 2025, honoring her earlier coaching achievements at that institution.
The Future of Auburn Women’s Basketball
The search for a new head coach now begins, with the aim of revitalizing a program that has experienced fluctuating success over the past decade. The new leadership will be tasked with building upon the foundations laid by Harris and steering the team toward consistent competitiveness in the SEC and on the national stage.
Conclusion
Johnnie Harris’s tenure at Auburn was marked by initial optimism and periods of progress, but the recent downturn in performance led to her dismissal. As Auburn seeks new leadership for its women’s basketball program, the university community reflects on Harris’s contributions and looks forward to a renewed era of success.