Harper chosen to lead Coppin women

 

by Keith Henry

This is officially a Terrapin takeover.

 

Following the lead of appointing former Maryland Terrapin Juan Dixon to lead the Coppin State men three years ago, Coppin State athletic director Derek Carter has chosen former Maryland Terrapin and WNBA player Laura Harper to lead the Coppin State women’s basketball team.

 

Carter said in a statement, “We are excited for Laura Harper to be joining the Coppin State family and look forward to her leadership during the next exciting phase of Eagles women’s basketball. Laura will bring incredible passion, energy, and a championship mentality to our team. Throughout her career, she has worked hard to establish herself as a winner in all phases of basketball. I feel that she will provide a valuable influence in the lives of the young women in our program.”

 

Coppin junior Jalynda Salley said, “We are very excited about the hiring of Coach Harper. We know she can get our program in the right direction. As a team, we are just excited for a new beginning.”

 

Harper, 34, replaces DeWayne Burroughs after his four years at the helm. Burroughs finished his four years at Coppin with a 22-95 overall record, a 20-34 record in the MEAC and a 1-4 MEAC Tournament record.

 

From this point on, it’s up to the former Sacramento Monarch to lead the Lady Eagles back to the MEAC penthouse. Something Coppin State hasn’t experienced since winning the MEAC Tournament in 2008. Harper comes to Coppin from her last coaching gig at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida. She has also coached at the University of Florida, George Washington University, High Point University (NC) and on Charles Street at Loyola University.

 

Harper played in the WNBA for the Monarchs in 2008. She also played professionally in Turkey, Italy and Russia. Much like Dixon accomplished in 2002, Harper also helped lead Maryland to their national championship in 2006.

 

Harper played Coppin State in their 2008 NCAA Tournament first round game in College Park. She recorded 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal to aid Maryland’s 80-66 victory over the Lady Eagles on March 23, 2008.

 

Harper said in a statement, “It is a dream come true to be named the new head women’s basketball coach at Coppin State University. I am very thankful for the special opportunity that President Jenkins, Mr. Carter, Mrs. Person and Mrs. Carrington-Johnson have granted me. Having a platform as a woman of color, while coaching at an HBCU during this racially sensitive time in our country, inspires me, and I am beyond ready to help lead this group of committed, young women into a new era of Eagles basketball.”

 

Salley said about Harper, “She has lots of experience and knows the ins and outs of the game. She has knowledge and has been in our shoes as a student athlete. Being a part of a championship team with the University of Maryland is a huge advantage because she has tasted winning and knows what it takes.”

 

 

University of Maryland head coach Brenda Frese said about Harper in a statement, “Coppin State is getting one of the most passionate people we've ever had in our program. I am thrilled for her and for our local community. She will be great for the players at Coppin, because she fully understands what it takes to be successful. Laura is a fun person who makes friends easily. We had a great player-coach relationship at Maryland and I think she will model that. She's also well connected in both our area and Philadelphia, which should serve her well in building the program. A lot of people will want to help her be successful. I'm excited to see them play and see her take this next step.”

 

Harper brings all of her experiences and more to this very first head coaching gig. It can only help the Lady Eagles get back to their dominating ways. Salley said, “Her knowledge is the biggest thing we are excited to take in from Coach Harper and we cannot wait for the new and improved Coppin State University to hit the court next season.”