Sam Purcell hires former Mississippi State women's basketball star Victoria Vivians
STARKVILLE — While playing in the WNBA as a guard for the Seattle Storm, Victoria Vivians is set to begin her coaching career.
The former Mississippi State women’s basketball star is returning to her alma mater. The Bulldogs announced Monday that Vivians is joining coach Sam Purcell’s staff as an assistant and director of scouting. She will start in October after the conclusion of the WNBA season.
“It is a dream come true to join coach Purcell and the staff at Mississippi State," Vivians said in a school release. "This place is special and has always been home to me. The support for women’s basketball in this community is unrivaled and it means the world to me to be able to represent this program, university and the state of Mississippi.
Vivians is a product of Jackson who attended Scott Central High School. She arrived in Starkville in 2014 where she started a decorated collegiate career. Across four seasons, she averaged 17.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
Vivians was a four-time All-SEC selection, including three first-team honors. She helped lead the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament each year and made national championship appearances in each of her final two campaigns.
"Victoria helped transform this program and brought it to national prominence during her time in maroon and white," Purcell said in the release. "This program, university and the state of Mississippi are in her blood. To have that energy, commitment and love for this place, combined with her knowledge of the game and her ability to teach it will be invaluable to our program and elevate it to another level."
The addition by Purcell follows a similar decision from Florida’s staff in 2023 when the Gators added WNBA star Rhyne Howard to their staff. She works as an assistant and director of player personnel for Florida after a decorated playing career at Kentucky.
Purcell is entering his third season at Mississippi State. He led the Bulldogs to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2023 before falling short of March Madness this year.
“This is a home run hire to bring Victoria Vivians back home to be a part of our staff at Mississippi State," Purcell said. "... Victoria has shined throughout her entire career and is still excelling at the highest level in our sport. There is no doubt that she will be a great resource and mentor to our student-athletes."
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This offseason has featured an overhaul of Purcell’s staff. Assistants Gabe Lazo, Corry Irvin and Murriel Page departed after the Bulldogs’ WBIT trip.
They’ve been replaced by Fred Castro, Anita Howard and Samantha Williams along with the hiring of Vivians.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: WNBA's Victoria Vivians hired by Mississippi State women's basketball
