Adell Harris has been named the new women's basketball coach at Tusculum College announced Director of Athletics Frankie DeBusk. She will be officially introduced at a press conference which was scheduled for this afternoon.

Harris, a native of High Point, N.C., comes to Tusculum after serving the last six seasons on the coaching staff at NCAA Division I UNC Asheville, including the past two years as associate head coach.

"I am very grateful to Frankie DeBusk for trusting me to lead the Tusculum women's basketball program," Harris said. "I am both excited and anxious to serve Tusculum College, the Greeneville community and our student-athletes. My goal is to continue to build on what currently exists, one the top 25 programs in the country."

As associate head coach, Harris was responsible for recruiting, pre and post-season conditioning, and opponent scouting. She worked with the UNCA guards both on and off the court with their skills and academic progress.

Harris replaces Missy Tiber, who stepped down last month after four years at Tusculum to take the head coach position at NCAA I Southern Illinois University.

Harris helped guide UNC Asheville to four winning seasons, including a 21-12 record in the Bulldogs' 2006-07 campaign, culminating in a Big South Conference Tournament title and a berth to the NCAA Tournament, both firsts in school history. The Bulldogs tied a school single-season record for most conference wins (9), while posting the program's first victory over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent (58-53 win at Wake Forest).

"As the search for a new coach began, we wanted to bring in a coach that could take our already successful women's program to new heights," said DeBusk. "Coach Harris brings a passion for the game of basketball. She is a quality person that brings in high morals and character. She will work hard to graduate our players, but also make them understand the effort it takes to continue to be champions on the floor as well as in life. Her energy and enthusiasm will bleed over into our players and will make all Tusculum fans, alumni and our community proud. I am very, very excited that Adell has decided to become a member of the Pioneer Family."

Harris has mentored nine All-Big South Conference honorees, including two Conference Freshmen of the Year, Brittany Hendley (2004) and Kyla Jones (2007).

"Adell has been a very loyal and hard working assistant for us for six years," said UNC Asheville head coach Betsy Blose. "She is ready to be a head coach. I am very happy for her. She has paid her dues and I know she will do a great job at Tusculum. We hate to see her go, but we wish her the very, very best."

Harris played her collegiate career at Wake Forest University, where she was a four-year letterwinner for the Demon Deacons. During her senior campaign, she led Wake Forest with 108 assists and averaged 4.6 points per game, while also serving as team co-captain. She wrapped up her career 10th on Wake's all-time list with 241 career assists.

"I am extremely thankful to Betsy Blose for being the first person to believe in my abilities as a collegiate coach" Harris said. "I am grateful for the opportunities that she has provided for me to grow professionally in her program. My time at UNC Asheville has prepared me tremendously for this opportunity and for that I am greatly appreciative to the entire UNCA athletics department."

Harris began her coaching career as an assistant coach at her prep alma mater T. Wingate Andrews High School in High Point during the 2002-03 campaign. She also served as head coach of the Piedmont X-Press AAU team from 1998-2003. Harris has worked with numerous clinics and camps throughout the region.