Mary Baldwin University women’s basketball coach Ross James resigned this week to pursue another coaching opportunity, which will be announced soon. 

MBU was James’ first head coaching position after four years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division I Lafayette College.  He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Texas Woman’s University after an undergraduate playing career from Millsaps College (2009).

James has been leading the Fighting Squirrels for four seasons, including three-straight years of qualifying for the USA South Conference playoffs.  During those three years, James’ teams combined for a 34-28 overall record – among the best three-year stretches in team history. 

Prior to James’ arrival in Staunton in 2017, the Fighting Squirrels had won just two games in the previous five seasons.  In his first season, the Fighting Squirrels topped Methodist for their first-ever USA South conference win.  In his second season, he guided MBU to a 17-10 overall record, the second-highest win total in team history. 

The Fighting Squirrels highlighted the 2019 campaign with an overtime victory over North Carolina Wesleyan in the first round of the conference playoffs – the team’s first-ever USA South playoff win.  It was MBU’s first USA South playoff appearance in any sport and it’s still the only Fighting Squirrels squad to win a USA South playoff game.  James was named the 2017 conference and regional Coach of the Year.

In addition to recruiting and coaching three players who earned USA South all-star recognition, including 2019 Rookie of the Year Leah Calhoun, MBU’s women’s basketball academic profile increased under James to a 3.11 grade-point average this year.  The Fighting Squirrels placed six players on the 2020-21 USA South Academic All-Conference team.

A national search will be conducted to select the next MBU head coach.

https://www.marybaldwinathletics.com/general/2020-21/releases/20210627imeaao