Auburn has hired its fifth women’s basketball coach in program in history, bringing in Larry Vickers from Norfolk State.

This comes after the Tigers fired Johnnie Harris following a 12-18 finish, in her fourth season on the Plains.

Here’s five things to know about the new Auburn women’s basketball coach:

History at Norfolk State

Vickers led the Spartans to its first MEAC Championship title since 2002 in the 2022-23 season.

In nine full seasons at the helm of the program, Vickers holds a 174-91 record, achieving its most successful run in its Division I era.

During his eight years as an assistant coach on the men’s team, The Spartans ranked in the top four in blocked shots three straight years as well as third in 3-point field goal defense for two straight seasons.

NCAA Tournament experience

Vickers took the Spartans to the last three NCAA tournaments in a row.

Norfolk State claimed three MEAC Tournament titles 2023-2025 and two MEAC regular season titles 2023 & 2025 under the tutelage of Vickers.

The 2024-25 squad achieved a program-record 30-5 overall mark, including a perfect 16-0 record in MEAC play. The Spartans won both the regular season and tournament championships, knocking off a pair of SEC teams Missouri and Auburn throughout the course of the season.

Defensive guru

Vickers consistently ranked among the nation’s best in field goal percentage defense, steals, and blocks.

In the 2017-18 season, The Spartans blocked 213 shots in 2017-18, the fifth-most nationally and the most in program history.

The following season they ranked second in the conference in both scoring defense and field goal percentage defense. They continued their defensive prowess in 2019-20, finishing fifth nationally in steals per game and eighth in turnovers forced.

HBCU trophy case

Vickers was twice named MEAC Coach of the Year and also earned HBCU National Coach of the Year honors in 2023.

He’s coached one All-MEAC Second Team selection in Niya Fields and two MEAC All-Rookie selections Da’Brya Clark and Anjanae Richardson. Vickers also coached three MEAC Defensive team selections.

Former Norfolk State player

Vickers walked onto the NSU team during the 2004-05 season.

He was named a two-time member of the MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team and was named the Spartans’ Most Improved Player as a sophomore.

Vickers was also a team captain until earning his bachelor’s degree in electronic technology in 2007.

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].