University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagle Basketball Completes Coaching Staff
4/19/2023 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss women's basketball head coach Joye Lee-McNelis completes her coaching staff with two additions for the 2023-24 season.
Jessica Barber, former associate head coach at ULM, arrives in Hattiesburg after three years in Monroe, La. and takes over as the Lady Eagles' recruiting coordinator in addition to her assistant coaching duties.
Barbara Farris joins Southern Miss after three years at Stetson overseeing the Hatters' frontcourt development. The 2021-22 Hatters finished 20-12 and advanced to the ASUN Tournament Semifinals.
"Today is a great day to be a Lady Eagle as we announce the hiring of Coach Jessica Barber and Barbara Farris," said McNelis. "Both of these young ladies are Louisiana natives and have known each other for many years. They bring a wealth of experience in all walks of life to our program because they have coached and played on every level."
"I have known both of them for many years and am very proud of the success they've had in their careers. We are truly blessed to have them as a part of Lady Eagle basketball."
Barber and Farris, each a native of Louisiana who are extremely familiar with the New Orleans Metro and South Louisiana bring almost 50 years of experience in coaching and playing at the Division I level.
Jessica Barber
"After several years of trying to out-recruit, out-score and out-work Southern Miss women's basketball, it's exciting to join Coach McNelis and her program," said Barber. "Working the past four years for Coach Brooks Williams has prepared me for this opportunity. I'm anxious to get to know the returning members of the team as people instead of opponents. The staff that Coach McNelis has put together and the signees for this upcoming season are first class. It will be an honor to go to work with them daily."
"Coach Barber brings a wealth of experience from many different levels of coaching and relating to different cultures," said McNelis. "I have had the opportunity to watch Coach Barber's growth in our coaching profession. She possesses a great work ethic and a willingness to get it done. Her love for people impacts everyone around her, especially the players she has coached. I am excited to have her get to know our players and work with them daily on and off the court."
"As our recruiting coordinator, I know Coach Barber will bring her own special touch to Hattiesburg. She has created a name for herself in the women's basketball world. Everyone knows Jessica for her relentless work ethic and her ability to build relationships with people from all walks of life."
Read more about Coach Barber here: Link.
Barbara Farris
"I am beyond thrilled to join the Lady Eagle family and begin a new basketball chapter here in Hattiesburg," said Farris. "Coach McNelis has built a program that is known for the kind of fundamental throwback basketball that utilizes the post positions of which I am most familiar. I hope I can lend my insights from years spent playing this game and help elevate our ladies to more continued success. I am so excited to represent the Hub City."
"Barbara brings a great deal of playing and coaching experience from different levels," said McNelis. "She was a great player at Tulane and in the professional ranks. She is a great teacher of the game and she understands key components that will give our post players an edge in their skill set. I am so excited to have someone of her knowledge and understanding of how to relate to players at many different levels. It is obvious that Barbara has a tremendous work ethic and understands that every day must count. Her success in the high school, college and professional ranks proves she relates well to all student-athletes."
Read more about Coach Farris here: Link.
Jessica Barber, former associate head coach at ULM, arrives in Hattiesburg after three years in Monroe, La. and takes over as the Lady Eagles' recruiting coordinator in addition to her assistant coaching duties.
Barbara Farris joins Southern Miss after three years at Stetson overseeing the Hatters' frontcourt development. The 2021-22 Hatters finished 20-12 and advanced to the ASUN Tournament Semifinals.
"Today is a great day to be a Lady Eagle as we announce the hiring of Coach Jessica Barber and Barbara Farris," said McNelis. "Both of these young ladies are Louisiana natives and have known each other for many years. They bring a wealth of experience in all walks of life to our program because they have coached and played on every level."
"I have known both of them for many years and am very proud of the success they've had in their careers. We are truly blessed to have them as a part of Lady Eagle basketball."
Barber and Farris, each a native of Louisiana who are extremely familiar with the New Orleans Metro and South Louisiana bring almost 50 years of experience in coaching and playing at the Division I level.
Jessica Barber
"After several years of trying to out-recruit, out-score and out-work Southern Miss women's basketball, it's exciting to join Coach McNelis and her program," said Barber. "Working the past four years for Coach Brooks Williams has prepared me for this opportunity. I'm anxious to get to know the returning members of the team as people instead of opponents. The staff that Coach McNelis has put together and the signees for this upcoming season are first class. It will be an honor to go to work with them daily."
"Coach Barber brings a wealth of experience from many different levels of coaching and relating to different cultures," said McNelis. "I have had the opportunity to watch Coach Barber's growth in our coaching profession. She possesses a great work ethic and a willingness to get it done. Her love for people impacts everyone around her, especially the players she has coached. I am excited to have her get to know our players and work with them daily on and off the court."
"As our recruiting coordinator, I know Coach Barber will bring her own special touch to Hattiesburg. She has created a name for herself in the women's basketball world. Everyone knows Jessica for her relentless work ethic and her ability to build relationships with people from all walks of life."
Read more about Coach Barber here: Link.
Barbara Farris
"I am beyond thrilled to join the Lady Eagle family and begin a new basketball chapter here in Hattiesburg," said Farris. "Coach McNelis has built a program that is known for the kind of fundamental throwback basketball that utilizes the post positions of which I am most familiar. I hope I can lend my insights from years spent playing this game and help elevate our ladies to more continued success. I am so excited to represent the Hub City."
"Barbara brings a great deal of playing and coaching experience from different levels," said McNelis. "She was a great player at Tulane and in the professional ranks. She is a great teacher of the game and she understands key components that will give our post players an edge in their skill set. I am so excited to have someone of her knowledge and understanding of how to relate to players at many different levels. It is obvious that Barbara has a tremendous work ethic and understands that every day must count. Her success in the high school, college and professional ranks proves she relates well to all student-athletes."
Read more about Coach Farris here: Link.
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