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Mississippi State Women’s Basketball Coach Sam Purcell Signs Contract Extension

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Crowd cheering at a Mississippi State women's basketball game

News Summary

Mississippi State University has announced a contract extension for head coach Sam Purcell, ensuring his leadership of the women’s basketball program through the 2028-29 season. Purcell, the winningest coach in the program’s history within his first three seasons, has led the Bulldogs to two NCAA Tournament appearances and a remarkable 67 victories. His successful recruiting efforts and commitment to building a thriving team culture have energized fans and enhanced the program’s reputation. Season tickets for the upcoming 2025-26 season are now available.

Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State University announced on July 3 that head coach Sam Purcell has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of the women’s basketball program through the 2028-29 season. This extension comes following a successful run that has seen Purcell lead the Bulldogs to two NCAA Tournament appearances in just three seasons.

Purcell, who is 45 years old, is entering his fourth season with the Bulldogs. Under his leadership, the team has achieved notable milestones, including a total of 67 victories, making him the winningest coach in the program’s history within the first three seasons. His record includes 24 wins in conference play, a program best.

In addition to his impressive win record, the Bulldogs have consistently performed well in the NCAA tournaments. They have recorded three consecutive seasons with over 20 wins, a significant achievement that has only been matched by two other active Southeastern Conference (SEC) coaches. The 2024-25 season marked the 13th NCAA Tournament appearance in the history of the Mississippi State women’s basketball program, indicating Purcell’s success in revitalizing the team.

Throughout his tenure, Purcell has led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament twice, accumulating three tournament victories. His coaching has also impacted the players significantly. Former player Jerkaila Jordan stands out in the program’s history, ranking in the top ten of multiple categories, including second in steals and fifth in points. Additionally, Jessika Carter was drafted in the second round of the WNBA draft under Purcell’s coaching, marking a significant moment as she became the first Bulldog to be drafted since 2019.

Reinforcing his impact on the program, Purcell has successfully recruited seven top-100 ESPNW recruits during his time at Mississippi State, five of whom rank in the top 50. His recruiting efforts led to the signing of two of the top three high school recruiting classes in the program’s history, with the most recent class ranked 11th nationally, making it the second-best in Mississippi State’s history.

Fans interested in supporting the team can purchase season tickets for the 2025-26 season starting at $99. The deadline for renewing existing season tickets is set for July 11.

Purcell expressed his gratitude towards university leadership, including Dr. Mark Keenum and Athletic Director Zac Selmon, for their continuous support in building a successful women’s basketball program. He emphasized the significant role of community engagement and the support from fans as essential elements in his commitment to Starkville and the university.

When Purcell took over as head coach, he faced a significant challenge, following the departure of former coach Vic Schaefer and the subsequent struggles under Nikki McCray-Penson. His coaching philosophy is centered on the importance of personal relationships and player development, both on and off the court, which has played a vital role in revitalizing the women’s basketball culture at Mississippi State University.

With this contract extension, Purcell aims to continue building upon the foundation he has laid and to further elevate the Mississippi State women’s basketball program to new heights as it progresses through the next several seasons.

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Additional Resources

HERE Starkville
Author: HERE Starkville

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