Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Harris joins Blue Raider Men's Basketball staff
7/21/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Ahead of the 2025-26 Middle Tennessee men's basketball season, Adell Harris has joined the Blue Raiders as the Assistant Coach – Director of NIL & Program Operations, announced by head coach Nick McDevitt Monday.
In her role, Harris works closely with McDevitt and his staff to execute the program's NIL vision, design systems that maximize MTSU's resources and brand and deliver financial education to help student-athletes establish a strong economic foundation for their future.
As a primary liaison for NIL matters, Harris will also support communication between the coaching staff, administration and the student-athletes – ensuring alignment around NIL strategy, player well-being and overall program vision. Additionally, she oversees all aspects of program operations and logistics.
"I am super excited about adding Adell Harris to our staff and our basketball program," said Coach McDevitt. "She is highly intelligent, very creative and drive; all qualities that will serve our student-athletes well. She's a great addition to the Middle Tennessee community."
Prior to joining Middle Tennessee, Harris served as Chief of Staff for the Vanderbilt men's basketball program for five seasons. In that capacity, she became the first female Chief of Staff in men's college basketball – a trailblazing milestone that has created new pathways for women in men's collegiate sports.
While at Vanderbilt, Harris partnered with head coach Jerry Stackhouse to provide strategic counsel, drive program goals and support key initiatives. Harris supported all facets of program operations, including internal and external communications, student-athlete welfare and academic success. Harris created and implemented Vanderbilt Basketball's "Academic Excellence Plan", resulting in significant academic achievements, earning increased SEC Academic Honor Roll selections, back-to-back SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards and multiple College Sport Communicators Academic All-District honorees.
Harris also spearheaded name, image and likeness strategies, leveraging her expertise to enhance branding, marketing and fundraising efforts. She was instrumental in the foundational launch and growth of the Anchor Impact Collective.
Harris oversaw alumni relations – strengthening Vanderbilt Basketball's alumni presence by creating new events like the #ProsPlayHere alumni celebration, an annual event that attracted former and current NBA players Festus Ezeli, Charles Davis, Aaron Nesmith, Luke Kornet and Darius Garland.
She helped the Commodores reach a pair of NIT appearances, as well as a 22-win season in 2022-23. The 2022-23 squad placed fourth in the SEC, the program's best finish in 13 season while Stackhouse garnered SEC Coach of the Year honors in the process.
Prior to Vanderbilt, Harris spent 19 years in women's college basketball, including head coaching tenures at UNC Wilmington (2012-17) and Tusculum University (2009-12). At UNCW, Harris was one of the nation's youngest NCAA Division I head coaches at age 31, amassing more than 100 career wins as a head coach and graduating every senior who played for her. During her time at Tusculum, she led the program to unprecedented success – earning one regular-season South Atlantic Conference title, two tournament championships and reaching the school's first-ever NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
"I am both excited and thankful to join Coach McDevitt's program and the Middle Tennessee Athletics Department at such an exciting time," said Harris. "I will work relentlessly to help our student-athletes maximize their potential, support our staff and continue the proud tradition of success this program has built and fostered across decades."
A published author, motivational speaker and career coach, Harris wrote the Amazon bestseller Refuse to Lose – 7 Steps to Make Adversity Your Advantage.
A native of High Point, N.C., Harris played four seasons at Wake Forest University from 1998-2002, appearing in 106 career games. As a team co-captain in her senior season, she averaged 4.6 points per game and led the Demon Deacons with 108 assists during her final season. Harris earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Wake Forest in 2002.
In her role, Harris works closely with McDevitt and his staff to execute the program's NIL vision, design systems that maximize MTSU's resources and brand and deliver financial education to help student-athletes establish a strong economic foundation for their future.
As a primary liaison for NIL matters, Harris will also support communication between the coaching staff, administration and the student-athletes – ensuring alignment around NIL strategy, player well-being and overall program vision. Additionally, she oversees all aspects of program operations and logistics.
"I am super excited about adding Adell Harris to our staff and our basketball program," said Coach McDevitt. "She is highly intelligent, very creative and drive; all qualities that will serve our student-athletes well. She's a great addition to the Middle Tennessee community."
Prior to joining Middle Tennessee, Harris served as Chief of Staff for the Vanderbilt men's basketball program for five seasons. In that capacity, she became the first female Chief of Staff in men's college basketball – a trailblazing milestone that has created new pathways for women in men's collegiate sports.
While at Vanderbilt, Harris partnered with head coach Jerry Stackhouse to provide strategic counsel, drive program goals and support key initiatives. Harris supported all facets of program operations, including internal and external communications, student-athlete welfare and academic success. Harris created and implemented Vanderbilt Basketball's "Academic Excellence Plan", resulting in significant academic achievements, earning increased SEC Academic Honor Roll selections, back-to-back SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards and multiple College Sport Communicators Academic All-District honorees.
Harris also spearheaded name, image and likeness strategies, leveraging her expertise to enhance branding, marketing and fundraising efforts. She was instrumental in the foundational launch and growth of the Anchor Impact Collective.
Harris oversaw alumni relations – strengthening Vanderbilt Basketball's alumni presence by creating new events like the #ProsPlayHere alumni celebration, an annual event that attracted former and current NBA players Festus Ezeli, Charles Davis, Aaron Nesmith, Luke Kornet and Darius Garland.
She helped the Commodores reach a pair of NIT appearances, as well as a 22-win season in 2022-23. The 2022-23 squad placed fourth in the SEC, the program's best finish in 13 season while Stackhouse garnered SEC Coach of the Year honors in the process.
Prior to Vanderbilt, Harris spent 19 years in women's college basketball, including head coaching tenures at UNC Wilmington (2012-17) and Tusculum University (2009-12). At UNCW, Harris was one of the nation's youngest NCAA Division I head coaches at age 31, amassing more than 100 career wins as a head coach and graduating every senior who played for her. During her time at Tusculum, she led the program to unprecedented success – earning one regular-season South Atlantic Conference title, two tournament championships and reaching the school's first-ever NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
"I am both excited and thankful to join Coach McDevitt's program and the Middle Tennessee Athletics Department at such an exciting time," said Harris. "I will work relentlessly to help our student-athletes maximize their potential, support our staff and continue the proud tradition of success this program has built and fostered across decades."
A published author, motivational speaker and career coach, Harris wrote the Amazon bestseller Refuse to Lose – 7 Steps to Make Adversity Your Advantage.
A native of High Point, N.C., Harris played four seasons at Wake Forest University from 1998-2002, appearing in 106 career games. As a team co-captain in her senior season, she averaged 4.6 points per game and led the Demon Deacons with 108 assists during her final season. Harris earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Wake Forest in 2002.
2025 MTSU Basketball tickets on sale now - October 1st
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