Dedicated staff works hard to assist in State's success
It's not easy to be 27-0.
One person certainly can't do it alone. Vic Schaefer may be the head coach of the Mississippi State women's basketball team, but he has already said this season that the Bulldogs wouldn't be where they are right now if it were not for his assistants.
When it comes to associate head coach Johnnie Harris, assistant Carly Thibault-DuDonis, assistant Dionnah Jackson-Durrett, director of operations Maryann Baker, director of scouting Skylar Collins and student assistant coach Dominique Dillingham, Schaefer calls them “the best in the business.”
“They are professionals,” Schaefer said of his staff. “Their work ethic is second to none. They are great people. They are the best and great role models for these young ladies. I've got everything from former players to moms to grand moms.
“I think they have so much they bring to the table and that's what makes them the best in my opinion in the country. It's their knowledge of the game and the time they spend with the players on and off the court. We are so lucky and fortunate to have them here at Mississippi State and we would not be where we are without them, no mistake about it.”
Schaefer said MSU prepares every game and every week like it's for the national championship and that drive did lead the program all of the way to the national title game last season.
The assistant coaches have bought into that approach and makes Schaefer's job easier.
“That's how we're built,” Schaefer said. “That's what we do whether it's recruiting, out in the community or whether it's getting our kids ready to play.”
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