Copiah-Lincoln Community College has hired former Southwest Mississippi assistant coach Britta Stephens as the new head women’s basketball coach in Wesson.

Stephens has been the top assistant at Southwest Mississippi in Summit for coach Brent Harris for the last 10 seasons. She’ll replace legendary Co-Lin women’s basketball coach Gwyn Young, who has led the program for the 47 previous seasons.

Young was relieved of his duties by the outgoing president at Co-Lin, Dr. Jane Hulon-Sims.

The school posted the job as being open in May and announced the hiring of Stephens on Friday, June 16 via a release.

Though no one at the time would know it, Young coached the last game of his career against Southwest in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. That night the Bears defeated the Wolves 73-48 in Summit to end the season for CLCC with a 16-10 record.

“We are excited to welcome Britta to the Co-Lin family,” said Co-Lin athletic director Bryan Nobile in the release issued from the school. “We are fortunate to hire someone with Britta’s experience in the MACCC and in recruiting student-athletes. She brings energy, drive and leadership to the program and I look forward to Coach Stephens getting to Wesson and starting work.”

Southwest went a combined 154-94 during the 10 years that Stephens was on staff in Summit. The Bears finished as MACCC state tournament runners-up twice during that time and finished as runners-up in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament in 2014. That team finished 21-9 and made an appearance in the NCJAA National Tournament as well.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Co-Lina and am extremely excited to begin working,” said Stephens in the release from the school. I would like to thank President-Elect Dr. Dewayne Middleton, Athletic Director Bryan Nobile and the Co-Lin Board of Trustees for allowing me to be the new coach of the Lady Wolves.  Growing up in a basketball family, becoming a head coach has always been a dream of mine. Co-Lin holds a special place in my heart as I spent many summers growing up attending basketball camp there and those childhood summers helped build the foundation for the coach I am today. Co-Lin has one of the richest women’s basketball traditions in the state, and I am very excited to continue growing the legacy that Coach Young has built over the years.”

Stephens prepped at North Pike High and then played collegiately at Mississippi College and William Carey University.

At Southwest, Stephens has also held the title of assistant athletic director for compliance and eligibility for part of her tenure.

She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration from William Carey and a Specialist degree in Higher Education Administration from William Carey.

Her coaching career began with two seasons as an assistant coach at MACCC member school East Central. Stephens then was the head coach for one season at Salem Attendnce Center before getting the call to coach at Southwest.

At Southwest, she was involved in every aspect of the program under longtime Bears head coach Brent Harris.

“As a coach, I’m disappointed to lose my longtime assistant,” said Harris. “As a friend though, I’m beyond thrilled for Britta. She’s highly organized and she’s more than ready to run her own program. She’s someone that’s in this profession for the right reasons, with the biggest one being she wants to help student-athletes succeed on the court and in life.”