Nathaniel Harris enters his third season as the assistant women's basketball coach. Harris' duties include defensive strategy, on floor coaching, practice and game preparation, recruiting, scouting, film exchange, camps, assisting with team academics, pre- and post-season strength and conditioning, travel arrangements, and individual player skill development.
The 2012-2013 season was a great one for the Lady Jackets, seeing them finish the year 17-10 overall, which landed them a third place finish in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference; arguably one of the best leagues in the nation. Defensively the Yellowjackets were near the top in many statistical categories, finishing the year third in the GNAC in points per game allowed (63.7 ppg) and in conference scoring margin (+4.2 points). MSUB ranked No. 1 in the GNAC in turnover margin (+4.89), and was also No. 2 in the conference for steals per game (9.5).
During his first season the Lady Yellowjackets posted an impressive 18-12 season while finishing sixth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a 10-8 record. The Lady Yellowjackets were only one game away from finishing third in the standings. Harris also helped to direct a defense that was second in points allowed (59.4), first in 3-Point Field Goal Percentage Defense (27.2%), and first in Turnover Margin (+5.4).
Prior to his time at MSUB, Harris was an assistant coach for the men’s program at Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, California. He was the recruiting coordinator and head assistant coach for a Fresno Pacific team that won 20 games and finished fourth in the extremely competitive Golden State Athletic Conference. They narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2011 NAIA National Tournament. Harris was also very involved in scheduling, film exchange, travel, player development, on court coaching, game strategy, and opponent scouting.
Prior to his tenure at Fresno Pacific Harris began his coaching career at Montana Tech in Butte, Mont. He was there for three years and started as an assistant in 2007. He was promoted to head assistant coach in 2008 and held this position until 2010. In the absence of a head coach in the spring of 2010, Harris took over all aspects of the program until a new head coach was hired.
During his time at Montana Tech, Harris had a major role in all aspects of coaching and recruiting, and helped the team climb from 8th place in the conference standings his first year to a 7th place finish in his last season. He also saw all of the seniors who went through Montana Tech during his tenure graduate.
In addition to his basketball coaching duties at Montana Tech, Harris also served as the head men's and women's golf coach.
Originally from Ronan, Mont., Harris played basketball at Montana Tech and graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. He has worked at basketball camps all across the country including the University of Montana, Duke and Stanford, and also served as the Youth Director of the Montana-based Camp of Champions from 2002-2010.
Nathaniel and his wife, Elise, have a one year old daughter, Henley and are expecting their second child in December 2013.
Coach Woodin on Coach Nate Harris: “I am very fortunate to have Nate as my assistant coach. He brings a wealth of basketball experience and enthusiasm to our program. His duties include assisting with practice and game preparation/planning, recruiting, scheduling, individual skill development, scouting, fundraising, academic monitoring, camps, and directing our pre-and-post season conditioning program.”
Getting to Know Coach Harris:
Favorite movie: Braveheart or Gladiator
Favorite food: #1 Gyro in Missoula, MT
Favorite outfit: Shorts and a T-Shirt
Favorite place to visit: The Wilderness Club in Eureka, MT or Flathead Lake
What are you most proud of: My beautiful wife, Elise, and baby girl, Henley
Best advice you could give someone: Love unconditionally and give everything you have to everything you do.
Prized possession: Wedding Ring
Favorite Song/Musician: David Dunn
