LOGAN, Utah — Utah State head women's basketball coach Wesley Brooks announced the hiring of Velaida Harris as associate head coach and Alexis Hyder as an assistant coach on Monday.

Harris brings nearly three decades of coaching experience to the Utah State bench, including a five-year stint as the head coach at Weber State. Most recently, she served as the associate head coach at Kansas City in 2023-24, where she specialized in perimeter skill development, recruiting and scouting of opponents. 

"We're so excited to have Velaida, a veteran of the state having worked at University of Utah and having been the head coach at Weber State. She understands the state of Utah and how to recruit within the state," Brooks said. "She brings experience on the floor, recruiting experience and the ability to connect with our young ladies and build relationships."

From 2018-23, Harris was the head coach at Weber State, coaching four all-conference players, 32 academic all-Big Sky honorees and leading two players to professional contracts. In addition, the program was honored nationally during the 2020 season for its service and state contributions. The hiring of Harris made history in the state of Utah, as she was the first Black woman to earn a Division I head coaching role in the state.

"I'm excited to join coach Wes and Aggie nation," Harris said. "I've watched him work diligently over the past 15 years recruiting, teaching and mentoring some of the nation's best players. His energy and attitude are infectious, he's ready for this moment. I'm grateful for the opportunity to support him and his vision for Aggie women's basketball!"

Prior to her time at Weber State, Harris spent the 2017-18 season as an assistant coach at Rhode Island, where she worked primarily with perimeter players, but also coordinated the program's skill development program. She was heavily involved with recruiting, opponent scouting and defense. 

Before coaching at Rhode Island, Harris spent six years at the University of Utah from 2009-15. She began her career with the Utes under head coach Elaine Elliott and then became the recruiting coordinator under head coach Anthony Levrets.

During her stint at Utah, the program reached the postseason four times. She helped guide the Utes to a conference tournament championship and the NCAA Tournament in 2011, as well as the finals of the WNIT in 2013. She coached 11 all-conference selections and 26 academic all-conference performers during her stint at Utah.

Prior to coaching at Utah, Harris spent two seasons at the University of Oregon. She was the director of operations for the Ducks in 2007-08 and was promoted to assistant coach the following season. 

During her time at Utah and Oregon, Harris recruited several regions of the country. At Utah, she was responsible for the Midwest, South and Southeast. With Oregon, she recruited the West Coast, Midwest and Canada. She also handled recruiting at the junior college ranks.

Hyder joins the Aggies after spending the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach at Lindenwood where she coached the Lions' forwards and posts, while also serving as the team's recruiting coordinator.

"I'm thrilled to have a former player of mine that I coached and helped develop at North Texas join our staff," Brooks said. "She will be really fundamental in player development on the court as well as in recruiting. She has a familiarity of how I coach and she'll have the ability to create relationships with our kids."

Prior to her time at Lindenwood, Hyder served as the video coordinator at North Texas in 2022-23. She got her start in the coaching world as a video coordinator at FIU in 2021-22. 

"I'm super excited to accept this incredible opportunity at Utah State, alongside a dear friend and mentor," Hyder said. "From my collegiate days to now, coaching side-by-side with Wes fills me with so much joy and gratitude for the journey ahead."

Hyder had an accomplished career as a player, both in the college ranks and overseas as a professional. She began her career at North Texas, where she played for Brooks, an assistant coach at the time, before transferring to LSU for her final two seasons. At North Texas, she started 51 games in two seasons and earned all-Sun Belt honors as a true freshman. At LSU, she earned honorable mention all-SEC honors, was named the LWSA Newcomer of the Year and was named to the all-Louisiana second team. 

Her success at the college ranks led to a five-year professional career overseas — three years in Sweden, one in Australia and one in Greece. 

Fans can follow USU women's basketball on Twitter, @USUWBasketball, on Instagram, @USUWBasketball, as well as on Facebook, at /USUWBB. Aggie fans can also follow Utah State Athletics on Twitter, @USUAthletics, on Instagram, @USUAthletics and on Facebook at /USUAthletics.

- USU -