The University of Mississippi Athletics
Boone Announces Contract Extension For Ladner
6/30/2009 | Women's Basketball
Ladner’s existing contract will be extended until 2012.
Boone said he will now forward his recommendation for the contract extension to the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning, as well as to the UMAA Foundation Board of Directors for their approval.
“The women’s basketball team made great strides this year,” Boone said. “Receiving a postseason bid and having the opportunity to extend the season shows the direction we think the program is going under coach Ladner.”
“I am thrilled about having the opportunity to continue coaching at a place where I have such passion,” Ladner said. “I am very excited about the direction in which our program is headed, and I am thankful that both Pete Boone and Lynnette Johnson share that enthusiasm.”
In just her second season since being promoted from her previous position as an assistant coach, Ladner guided Ole Miss to an 18-15 overall record and a berth in the postseason for the fifth time in the last six years. She produced one of the top turnarounds in the country by leading Ole Miss to five more wins than in her first season. The Rebels finished the season 5-9 inside the SEC and reached at least the second round of the SEC Tournament for the sixth consecutive season.
Under Ladner’s tutelage, Rebel guard Bianca Thomas became an All-SEC first team selection after ranking third in the league with 15.8 points per game. Thomas scored 20 or more points nine times during the season and set the school record for the most three-pointers in a season with 73. It was the second straight year in which Ladner had produced an All-SEC performer, as Shawn Goff earned the distinction in 2007-08.
In her six years as either an assistant coach or head coach at Ole Miss, Ladner has helped land at least one player on either the All-SEC first or second team.
