News Summary
Sam Purcell, head coach of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team, has signed a contract extension through the 2028-29 season. Entering his fourth year, Purcell has led the Bulldogs to notable successes, including multiple NCAA tournament appearances and significant recruitment wins. His new contract includes performance bonuses tied to his salary and illustrates a commitment to the program’s ongoing competitiveness.
Starkville, Mississippi – Sam Purcell, the head coach of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team, has signed a contract extension that will keep him in his position through the end of the 2028-29 season. This announcement comes as Purcell enters his fourth season at Mississippi State University (MSU), during which he has already made significant contributions to the program.
Under Purcell’s leadership, the Bulldogs have achieved notable success, including a recent season in which they recorded a 22-12 overall standing and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The specific terms of his new contract, including salary details, have not been publicly disclosed. However, it’s known that Purcell has two separate contracts; one with the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) and another with the Bulldog Club, which allows for contracts longer than the standard four-year limit.
At 45 years old, Purcell was previously under contract until 2028, earning an annual salary of $662,500. During his three-year tenure, he has successfully led the team to two NCAA tournament appearances. His coaching acumen is reflected in the fact that he holds the record for the most victories by any MSU women’s basketball coach in their first three seasons, with a remarkable 67 wins.
The Bulldogs posted a 22-11 record in Purcell’s first season and improved to 23-12 in his second season, although they ended that year without an NCAA tournament appearance. The subsequent season concluded with the same record of 22-12, but the Bulldogs were eliminated in the second round of the NCAA tournament by USC.
Purcell’s contract also includes a performance bonus that grants him 10% of his salary based on certain achievements, as stipulated in his IHL contract. The consistency of the Bulldogs under his leadership is noteworthy; the team has recorded over 20 wins each season since he took the helm, making him the first head coach in MSU history to accomplish this feat.
Recruitment has also been a strong suit for Purcell, with seven ESPNW Top 100 players having signed with the program. His efforts include securing three recruits from the highly regarded 2025 class. Before leading MSU, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville, where he was instrumental in the team’s strategy and stability after the previous coach, Vic Schaefer, left the program.
Purcell has expressed his appreciation for the support and trust extended to him by university president Dr. Mark Keenum and director of athletics Zac Selmon. He conveyed enthusiasm about continuing to work together with his dedicated staff and the supportive players who are key to the program’s ongoing success.
As Sam Purcell prepares for the upcoming season and aims to build upon the achievements of the previous years, the stakes are high for both him and the team. His contract extension signals a commitment to maintaining a successful trajectory for Mississippi State women’s basketball and ensuring that the program remains competitive on a national level.
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Mississippi State Women’s Basketball Coach Sam Purcell Signs Contract Extension
Mississippi State Women’s Basketball Coach Signs Extension
Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger
- Sports Illustrated
- C Dispatch
- Wikipedia: Mississippi State Bulldogs women’s basketball
- Google Search: Sam Purcell Mississippi State
