GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball Head Coach Brittany Simpson announced the hiring of Taylor Harris earlier this week as an assistant coach for the Orediggers.
 
Harris, a 14-year veteran coach, comes to Mines after three seasons as the head women's basketball coach at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. He also served two seasons as the head coach at Miles Community College in Montana. Overall, Harris touts more than a decade of experience both coaching and playing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).
 
"I am very excited to have Taylor on staff," said Coach Simpson. "He brings a level of experience and knowledge that will be a huge asset to Mines women's basketball. He is a phenomenal coach and we are so happy he is an Oredigger."
 
In addition to his three seasons leading Fort Lewis and two more heading the Miles Community College squad, Harris also totaled 10 years as an assistant at fellow RMAC programs in Regis and MSU Denver. He touts multiple years of experience at the high school and AAU levels as well.
 
"I'm really grateful for this opportunity to be at a prestigious institution like Mines, and to serve one of the premier women's basketball programs," said Harris. "After 13 years of being at rival RMAC schools competing against Mines, it's really an honor to be here in Golden. Coach Simpson has proven to be one of the best in the country. I am really excited to work alongside and learn from her. I look forward to serving this program, department, and institution for years to come."
 
Most recently, at Fort Lewis, Harris headed up programs that excelled in the classroom and on the court. His 2022-23 team won the RMAC Brechler Award for the highest team grade-point average in the conference. The Skyhawks also ranked top-15 in all of NCAA Division II for team GPA in 2022 and 2023. Harris' 2023-24 squad defeated NCAA Division I Utah State and also ranked in the top-10 in the NCAA in three categories including #1 in free-throw attempts, #6 in forced turnovers, and #6 in home attendance. During his three-year tenure in Durango, Colo., Harris recruited and developed five all-conference players including two First-Team All-RMAC selections and three Second-Team All-RMAC performers. Two of those players were top-10 scorers in NCAA Division II. He also worked closely with the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA) as an advisor for athletic department mental health practices, and spoke at the NCAA Final Four in 2022, 2023, and 2024 on, "Implementing Mental Health Days in Athletic Programs."
 
Prior to FLC, Harris was at the helm for Miles Community College in Miles City, Mont. In two seasons, his teams combined for a 47-13 record. That mark included a historic 2021 season in which the Pioneers won the MonDak Conference Championship and went to the NJCAA Sweet 16. Thanks to the team's success, Harris was named National Two Year Coach of the Year by World Exposure Report as MCC produced the NJCAA National Player of the Year.
 
As an assistant in Denver, Harris helped both Regis and MSU Denver find high-level success as well. With the Rangers, Harris was instrumental in the program's 74-44 record and a trip to the 2017 NCAA tournament. In downtown Denver with the Roadrunners, Harris was part of historic runs to the 2012 Elite Eight, 2013 NCAA national championship game, and 2014 Final Four. During his time at MSU Denver, Harris also developed two NCAA Division II Players of the Year.
 
Harris is a Denver native and a graduate of Cherry Creek High School. He attended and graduated from MSU Denver with his bachelor's degree in 2011. He earned his master's degree from Concordia-Irvine in 2012 and currently lives in Littleton, Colo. Harris is on Instagram (coachtaylorharris) and Twitter (thetaylorharris).

Fans can keep up with Mines women's basketball on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @MinesWBB, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MinesWBB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.­­­