The University of Mississippi Athletics
Renee Ladner Receives Contract Extension
5/19/2010 | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. - After leading Ole Miss to a second straight postseason appearance in 2009-10, head women's basketball coach Renee Ladner has agreed in principle to an extension of her current contract through 2014, it was announced Wednesday.
In addition, Rebel staff members Marlene Stollings and Jocelyn McGilberry have each been promoted to the title of Associate Coach. All appointments are pending approval of the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning.
"Renee and her staff have the program going in the right direction," said Lynnette Johnson, Executive Associate Athletics Director/Senior Women's Administrator. "Renee is passionate about her team and her school. Back-to-back postseason bids are the stepping stone to returning to the NCAA tournament and an SEC title."
"I want to thank both Pete Boone and Lynnette Johnson for giving me the opportunity to continue coaching at a place that is truly dear to my heart," Ladner said. "We have reached the postseason the last two years, and I really believe that the best is still to come. We have a fantastic recruiting class coming in this year, and I fully expect Ole Miss to continue to be one of the elite programs in women's basketball."
In just her third season since being promoted from her previous position as an assistant coach, Ladner guided Ole Miss to a 17-15 overall record and a berth in the postseason for the sixth time in the last seven years. In addition, the Rebels reached at least the second round of the SEC Tournament for the sixth consecutive season.
Along the way, the Rebels upset No. 8 Georgia in Athens to win for the first time ever inside Stegeman Coliseum. Ole Miss also defeated nationally-ranked LSU twice in the same season for the first time since 1985 and knocked off the Lady Tigers in Baton Rouge for the first time since 1994.
Under Ladner's tutelage, Rebel guard Bianca Thomas became an All-SEC first team selection after ranking 10th in the nation and first in the league with 20.9 points per game. Thomas scored 20 or more points 19 times during the season, which included a career-high and Tad Smith Coliseum record 42 points against LSU.
Thomas also ranked 10th in the nation and second in the SEC with 3.1 three-pointers per game and set the school record for the most three-pointers in a season with 100. The Henderson, Tenn., native went on to be selected by the Los Angeles Sparks in the first round of the 2010 WNBA Draft.
In her seven 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.
The Rebels have also excelled academically since the arrival of Ladner, as five members of the 2009-10 team were selected to the SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll. In her three years as head coach, Ladner has had at least four players earn a spot on the SEC's Academic Honor Rolls.
In addition, Rebel staff members Marlene Stollings and Jocelyn McGilberry have each been promoted to the title of Associate Coach. All appointments are pending approval of the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning.
"Renee and her staff have the program going in the right direction," said Lynnette Johnson, Executive Associate Athletics Director/Senior Women's Administrator. "Renee is passionate about her team and her school. Back-to-back postseason bids are the stepping stone to returning to the NCAA tournament and an SEC title."
"I want to thank both Pete Boone and Lynnette Johnson for giving me the opportunity to continue coaching at a place that is truly dear to my heart," Ladner said. "We have reached the postseason the last two years, and I really believe that the best is still to come. We have a fantastic recruiting class coming in this year, and I fully expect Ole Miss to continue to be one of the elite programs in women's basketball."
In just her third season since being promoted from her previous position as an assistant coach, Ladner guided Ole Miss to a 17-15 overall record and a berth in the postseason for the sixth time in the last seven years. In addition, the Rebels reached at least the second round of the SEC Tournament for the sixth consecutive season.
Along the way, the Rebels upset No. 8 Georgia in Athens to win for the first time ever inside Stegeman Coliseum. Ole Miss also defeated nationally-ranked LSU twice in the same season for the first time since 1985 and knocked off the Lady Tigers in Baton Rouge for the first time since 1994.
Under Ladner's tutelage, Rebel guard Bianca Thomas became an All-SEC first team selection after ranking 10th in the nation and first in the league with 20.9 points per game. Thomas scored 20 or more points 19 times during the season, which included a career-high and Tad Smith Coliseum record 42 points against LSU.
Thomas also ranked 10th in the nation and second in the SEC with 3.1 three-pointers per game and set the school record for the most three-pointers in a season with 100. The Henderson, Tenn., native went on to be selected by the Los Angeles Sparks in the first round of the 2010 WNBA Draft.
In her seven 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.
The Rebels have also excelled academically since the arrival of Ladner, as five members of the 2009-10 team were selected to the SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll. In her three years as head coach, Ladner has had at least four players earn a spot on the SEC's Academic Honor Rolls.
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