BasketballConference USAHiringSouthland

Alum Jay Ladner hired as new head coach at Southern Miss

Jay Ladner, who has been the head coach at Southeastern Louisiana for the last five years, is returning to alma mater Southern Miss to lead the Golden Eagles basketball program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jay Ladner and his family back to Hattiesburg and Southern Miss,” AD Jeremy McClain said Thursday. “Jay has proven throughout his career that he is a winner, elevating every basketball program with which he has been associated. We look forward to him leading and developing our student-athletes and taking our program to new heights.”

Ladner played at USM in the 1980s and spent most of his early coaching career at the high school and JUCO levels. Among his many stops was a stint at Oak Grove HS in Hattiesburg.

“What I can say is that dreams can come true,” Ladner said in the release. “It’s so humbling to know the support we have on the journey we are about to embark on, laying a foundation that has pride, dignity and is destined for success. To be able to come home and coach where you’re from, it’s exciting. There’s no way I can properly thank all the people who have supported me throughout this process.”

 

Credit to Rick Yeatts for the photo