Neil Harrow of James Madison women’s basketball has been elevated to associate head coach, as announced by Head Coach Sean O’Regan on Friday morning. The 2023-24 season will mark Harrow’s second as a member of the Dukes’ coaching staff.
“Neil made an instant impact as he arrived, and it showed on our team,” said O’Regan. “He has a great basketball mind and has proved to be an outstanding communicator. He has earned this title, and we will continue to build on our success together.”
In his new role, Harrow will oversee transfer, international and junior college recruiting. Shortly after arriving in Harrisonburg, he brought in Caroline Germond (TCU) and Kobe King-Hawea (Texas), who combined for 44 starts in 2022-23. Additionally, this summer the team welcomed newcomers Olivia Mullins (Saint Joseph’s), Hevynne Bristow (Ohio State), Carole Miller (Virginia) and Ashanti Barnes (Trinity Valley C.C.).
The new title also gives Harrow scouting coordinator duties where he will oversee the planning and development of scouting activities. Lastly, Harrow takes over offensive coordinator responsibilities, as the Dukes head into their second season in the Sun Belt Conference. As a member of Troy’s coaching staff, he helped guide the Trojans to their best offensive season since the 1992-93 season when they averaged 86.0 ppg, the third-best average in the NCAA in 2020-21.
“I am so thankful for this gesture from Coach O and Mr. Bourne,” remarked Harrow. “Since coming to JMU a little over a year ago, I have had countless amazing moments, and this is another special one. JMU really is a special place, and I’m grateful to get to work somewhere with this level of support and investment. Go Dukes!”
In 2022-23, Harrow helped the Dukes finish the season with a 26-8 overall record, highlighted by a Sun Belt Conference Championship title and a berth into the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. The conference championship was the program’s first since the 2015-2016 campaign. Moreover, JMU led the league in scoring margin (+8.8), opponent field goal percentage (.361), opponent three-point percentage (.286) and rebounding margin (+8.1).
The Dukes return to action on Nov. 6 when they host Eastern Mennonite. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center.