Detroit Mercy women’s basketball head coach Kiefer Haffey has announced staff updates for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Assistant coach Tania Davis will handle perimeter player development and co-offensive strategy, while Lester Harbin joins the staff from Niagara as an assistant coach.
“When Tania jumped on board late last year, it was evident immediately that we just added a star to our staff with incredible playing and coaching experience, and our staff and players felt the impact of her knowledge immediately,” said Haffey. As time went on, that impact only grew louder and more prominent. I hoped to carve a space for Coach Tania to sink her teeth into this program further, and we’re fortunate to be able to do that. With her shifted responsibilities, she will now take ownership of our perimeter player development, co-ownership of our offense, as well as assist in other program areas like scheduling, team gear, and fundraising. Coach T is not a star in the making; she is a one right now and one we are blessed to have at Detroit Mercy.”
“First, with Coach Les, there is not a single soul you will meet who has a bad thing to say about him due to his incredibly high character. As a coach, he is passionate, a phenomenal relationship builder and recruiter, and has made a name for himself as an elite defensive mind,” added Haffey. “Defense is and always will be a core identity of our program and basketball culture here at Detroit Mercy. Our city, fans, and program thrive when we’re stout defensively, great on the glass, and committed to showcasing grit. Coach Les will co-own our defense, add passion to our practices, build strong coaching/recruiting relationships, and provide guidance to our players and staff. We are thrilled to bring him back home and have him join our Detroit Mercy family.”
Prior to Detroit Mercy, Harbin spent nine seasons with the Niagara women’s basketball program. After serving as an Assistant Coach for his first three seasons, Harbin was promoted to Associate Head Coach in January 2021, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Purple Eagles since he joined the staff in 2017-18.
The Purple Eagles had a successful season in 2023-24 with Harbin overseeing the defense. Niagara led the MAAC in turnover margin at +8.0. The 8.0 turnover margin was the second-best mark in the country. The Purple Eagles finished the season leading the country with 15.1 steals per game. The Purple Eagles tallied 530 total steals, which led the country. Angel and Aaliyah Parker were named to the All-MAAC Second Team.
In February of 2023, Harbin was selected to the inaugural WBCA Next Generation Institute. The Next Generation Institute curriculum focuses on the CEO attributes needed to lead a program and be a problem-solver in today’s ever-changing landscape of higher education and the enterprise of intercollegiate athletics. He was one of just 21 coaches across all three divisions to be selected.
Under Harbin’s guidance, Niagara had a historic season in 2022-23 as the Purple Eagles went 16-4 in MAAC play, setting a new program record. Following an appearance in the MAAC semifinals for the second straight season, the Purple Eagles earned a bid to the WNIT, marking the first time in program history the Purple Eagles played in a postseason tournament. Both Angel Parker and Aaliyah Parker were named First Team All-MAAC. Niagara led the MAAC in turnover margin, steals, steals per game, and forced turnovers per game. The Purple Eagles led the country in turnover margin, steals, steals per game, and turnovers per game.
Harbin played college basketball at Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Mich., from 1997-99, where he led the team in blocked shots, rebounds, and field goal percentage. He then played one season (1999-2000) at the University of North Alabama and played his final year (2003-04) at Lees-McRae College, where he led the team in blocked shots and field goal percentage.
Harbin earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Lees-McRae College in 2006 and a Master of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2010. Harbin is also a member of the WBCA (Women’s Basketball Coaches Association).
