Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin reflects on growth of women’s basketball, importance of believing in oneself
SEATTLE – Ole Miss women’s basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin stepped to the presser Thursday prior to her team’s Sweet Sixteen matchup, and she reflected on her team, women’s basketball and everything in between.
Coach Yo was specifically asked this question by one reporter. “So how big is that overall picture of having three black women and 12 women overall still playing for — coaching women’s basketball?” Of the final 16 teams left in the tournament, 12 are coached by women — and three of those are Black females (Coach Dawn Staley (South Carolina), Coach Niele Ivey (Notre Dame), and Coach Yo).
In her own refreshing style, Coach Yo laid out the importance of having women as coaches representing 12 of the 16 teams remaining in the tournament while also having three of those teams with black women at the helm.
“I think representation matters no matter what,” McPhee-McCuin said.
“This is the time for women to be celebrated. I hate the whole narrative about ‘Why is it a big deal?’ and ‘Why does it have to be about race?’ It’s race because it’s not normal. Anything that’s not normal is a big deal. It’s a big deal that there are 12 women still coaching because we are making it normal for women to be respected and in leadership. Just three years ago we were complaining about just being respected in the NCAA tournament. We just got the March Madness hashtag, you know? So how can we try to downplay all of these opportunities for people to see women in leadership and then women of color and people of color? It’s something cool.”
Coach Yo when asked about women coaching in the Sweet 16
One-seed Virginia Tech’s Kenny Brooks is the only black male coach remaining in the tournament.
Coach Yo said that having black women coaching at the biggest stage is an inspiration for her two daughters: Yasmine and Yuri. “They may want to be a doctor or a lawyer, but they also know that they can be a coach if they want to,” McPhee-McCuin said. “I think that is important, and that is why I said, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see.’”
Coach Yo also reflected on her belief in herself and her program and how that belief has translated to her players and the success of her team on the basketball court.
“One of the things that is important for my team is the mantra ‘No Ceilings,’ that there is no limit to what you could accomplish, and I really believe that. I think that young people get told so much what they can’t do. All you have to do is plant that seed of doubt, and all of a sudden they don’t think that they can do whatever it is that they want to do. In the absence of hope, that is where hate comes in. I just want everybody around me to be hopeful, and so that is our program, and that is why they move like that. They get that from me.”
Coach Yo on belief
She continued on and explained that her belief arose from her journey from the Bahamas to Jacksonville University to Oxford. She uses her story to motivate her players.
“If I can do it, then you definitely can do it. I didn’t have the resources that my players have. I always tell my players that, no matter what, this is my ministry. Coaching is not something that I am doing for me. My focus is making sure that my players accomplish whatever it is they want in life.”
Coach Yo on using her story to motivate her players
Myah Taylor, Angel Baker inspired by Coach Yo
Senior guard Myah Taylor said that Coach Yo’s story inspires everyone on the team, and her love and passion is what allows players to buy in to her program.
“We feel [her] energy each and every day,” Taylor said.
“Not only is she my basketball coach. She is my mentor. Having that each and every day is truly a blessing. She definitely keeps us going.”
Myah Taylor on Coach Yo’s impact
Senior guard Angel Baker explained the importance of having Coach Yo as a black woman as her coach and the motivation that she pulls from her.
“Coach Yo is a believer, and she is a fighter. Her journey is amazing. I look up to that. I just try my best to be a reflection of her when I step on the basketball court.”
Angel Baker on Coach Yo
The Rebels will step on the court in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2007 this Friday against Louisville, and although the team’s time in Seattle is still a business trip, Coach Yo said that her team has been able to take in the sights and go to the tourist destinations of the city.
“We came to Seattle and took in the sights and scenes,” McPhee-McCuin said. “The girls went to the Pike Market and the Needle, so that was cool.”
Taylor said that these experiences fed into the love the players have for each other.
“We used it as a bonding experience, and we think that is very important,” Taylor said. “Especially since we play with so much love and passion for each other, those bonding moments outside of basketball fuel us on the basketball court.
All business
However, as of Thursday, the mindset changed for Coach Yo and her players to focus on Louisville.
“Today, we have been incredibly focused and really shutting off all of the outside noise and starting to get focused for our opponent tomorrow,” McPhee-McCuin said.
Taylor said that the coaching staff has done a great job of ensuring that the team is focused for its Sweet Sixteen matchup.
“We are focused on the game that is ahead, and that starts with the leadership in the team,” Taylor said. “They have been very intentional in making sure that we have been laser focused with what is to come, and, right now, the only thing that matter is the game tomorrow.”
Game info
The Rebels will look to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2007 when they face five-seed Louisville this Friday. Tipoff from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle is set for 9 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Trevor Terminie
Trevor is a senior at Ole Miss pursuing a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Sports Communication and Promotion. He has previous experience covering sports for another site, including a variety of Ole Miss sports. Growing up in New Orleans, La., he has the Pelicans and Saints running through his blood. He also grew up in an LSU family, but his love for Ole Miss continues to grow. Trevor hopes to cover sports back in his hometown after college. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
