University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
McNelis Hires Assistant Coach
6/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
June 17, 2010
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss Women's Basketball Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis announced the hiring of Cara Hyatt as an assistant coach for the Lady Eagle program. This hiring is subject to approval by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
Hyatt comes to Southern Miss following a three-year stint at Jones Country Junior College where her duties included day-to-day operations, on-the-floor coaching, recruiting and scouting.
"We welcome Coach Hyatt into our Lady Eagle family," McNelis said. "She brings much experience to our program because of her time as a high school, junior college and four-year coach. She has been successful in recruiting athletes that has impacted the programs in which she has worked."
Prior to coming Jones, Hyatt was the head coach at Northeast Jones High School where she compiled a 53-18 record and leading her team to the Overall 4A state Tournament semifinals in 2005-06 where they lost to the eventual state champs. Her 2006-07 team advanced to the second round of the south state championship.
Prior to coaching at Northeast Jones, Hyatt served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Mississippi College.
The Heidelberg, native, was a standout basketball player at Heidelberg Academy where she was an all-state performer. She played two seasons at Jones County Junior College under Coach Sandra Sumrall before completing her career at Mississippi College.
"Her passion for helping student-athletes is evident as she has gone the `extra mile' to help them achieve success," said McNelis. "She is a mom of two beautiful daughters and has a personal perspective about family and the importance of being a great role model for young women."
Hyatt received his bachelor's of arts degree in English from Mississippi College in 2002 and her associate's degree from Jones in 2000. She earned her master's degree in business management in 2006 from Colorado Technical University in 2006 where she graduated magna cum laude.
Hyatt has two daughters, Alee and Anna Cate.
