There are many differences between being a mid-major college basketball coach and leading a Southeastern Conference program like Auburn.

New women’s basketball coach Larry Vickers is in the midst of that adjustment at Auburn. He became the Tigers’ head coach in March following a nine-year stint at Norfolk State.

Despite becoming a powerhouse in the MEAC, coaching in the SEC is a different experience, and Vickers has already felt that on the recruiting trail.

“Some of the AAU coaches pick up on the first ring now‚” Vickers said at Auburn’s AMBUSH event in Alexander City. “Most coaches pick up pretty early in the process when it says Larry Vickers Auburn next to it. I’m calling the same people. The difference is I was calling for their sixth-best player before. Now I’m calling for their best player.”

Vickers was hired to lead the program after former head coach Johnnie Harris was fired following the 2024-2025 season. Harris’ departure led to most of the roster turning over, as Auburn’s 2025-2026 team will feature just two returners from last season.

That meant Vickers’ first couple months on the job were busy with both roster construction and building a coaching staff. Since he was hired, Vickers signed seven players out of the transfer portal, one JUCO transfer and three freshmen. Kaitlyn Duhon and Syriah Daniels are the lone returners.

“Coach Johnnie had some terrific players on the team that were willing to stay it might didn’t necessarily fit with what we’re looking to do with Auburn moving forward,” Vickers told AL.com at SEC spring meetings. “So, that’s helping them find a new home, and then that’s us finding new players to kind of fit that style of play.”

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m