Schaefer named new Lady Bulldog basketball coach
Mississippi State has named 26-year coaching veteran Vic Schaefer the program's seventh women's basketball coach, director of athletics Scott Stricklin announced last Tuesday.
"Vic has the work ethic, competitive intensity and intelligence that we look for in every Bulldog coach," Stricklin said. "He is regarded as arguably one of the top assistant coaches in the nation, and we are excited to have him leading the Mississippi State women's basketball program.
"Vic has coached championship defense and proven to be one of the leading teachers of defense in college basketball. His passion, enthusiasm and championship pedigree will greatly benefit our program."
Schaefer has been hailed by many as one of the top defensive specialists and recruiters in women's basketball nationally.
"I can't tell you how excited my family and I are. God opens doors for you. Sometimes you don't know what's about to open," Schaefer said. "From the moment I met Scott, I felt a passion that I can identify with because I am a passionate person. Whatever I try to do, I try to do it the best I can.
"He sold me on Mississippi State University from the jump. It's an opportunity my family prayed about and feels really good about. We are excited to be part of the Bulldog family."
Currently in his 15th season as an associate head coach at Texas A&M, Schaefer has helped guide the Aggies to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program's first national championship last season, as well as Elite Eight and Sweet 16 appearances in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
This season Texas A&M advanced to the Big 12 Tournament championship game after winning the event during the 2008 and 2010 seasons. He also guided one of the conference's top defenses in 2007 as TAMU won the Big 12 regular season title.
Not only has he built a tremendous pedigree as a coach, but he has also made a mark nationally on the recruiting trail. During his time in College Station, Schaefer played a significant role in Texas A&M landing nine Top 20 signing classes. This past season he landed the nation's No. 2 recruiting class, a year after the Aggies finished No. 1.
Schaefer followed Gary Blair to Texas A&M after the pair made a stellar impact in seven seasons at Arkansas. During his stop in Fayetteville, Schaefer helped lead the Razorbacks to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Final Four in 1997, and the WNIT championship in 1998.
While at Arkansas, he tutored Shameka Christon to SEC Player of the Year and First Team All-SEC accolades.
A native of Austin, Texas, Schaefer made the move to the SEC after a head coaching stint at Sam Houston State from 1990-97. He guided the Bearkats to 18 wins in 1996, their most wins in a decade, en route to earning Southland Conference Coach of the Year honors.
Schaefer also tutored the SLC Freshman of Newcomer of the Year in three of his final four seasons, and during his first year at the school, he tutored Sierena Autman to Southland Conference Player of the Year accolades.
Schaefer is married to the former Holly Davis, who played basketball at Arkansas State and went on to serve as an assistant coach at UT Arlington. The couple has 16-year-old twins, Blair Nicole and Charles Logan.
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