July 17, 2008
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech head coach Chris Long announced Thursday that he has hired former South Alabama standout Sara Carter as his third assistant while promoting former Georgia standout Ebony Felder to director of basketball operations.
Both moves are pending the approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.
With the addition of Carter and the promotion of Felder, Long's staff is now complete as the duo join associate head coach Teresa Weatherspoon and assistant coach LaRita Wilcher.
"I'm delighted to have such a great staff," Long said. "This is exactly the right group as we look forward to a great year. We have assembled the right pieces to the puzzle."
Carter comes to Tech after working the past three years on the women's basketball staff at Ole Miss, where she worked for Carol Ross for two years and Renee Ladner for one.
Some of her responsibilities at Tech will include recruiting, scouting, on-the-floor coaching, serving as the academic liason, and scheduling.
"Sara is going to do great things at Louisiana Tech," Long said. "She came highly recommended, and I'm looking forward to having her on our staff. She has a great basketball mind and will do a great job on the floor. She will have a full plate, and I know she will excel."
Carter was one of the key components to turning the South Alabama program into a contender during her playing days (2000-04). During her career, she was a two-time team captain and was named to the Sun Belt Conference preseason team prior to her senior season.
"I am excited to be a part of this program and to work along side of Coach Long and this staff," Carter said. "Coach Long has been a proven winner and you can feel the passion and excitement that he has for women's basketball.
"This program has such a storied tradition and an overwhelming commitment from its fans. This is a great opportunity for me to be a part of something special. I am honored to be a Lady Techster and look forward to the future with this program."
The Gulfport, Miss. Native was a four-time recipient of the Sun Belt Conference all-academic award and also won the Wilma Rudolph Award (2004) as the Outstanding Woman Athlete of the Year.
She earned her bachelor's in physical education from South Alabama in 2005 and her master's in health promotion from Ole Miss in 2007.
Felder will move into the role of director of basketball operations for the program after serving as a graduate assistant last season.
Some of her responsibilities will include coordinating team travel, working with Nike for apparel, handling various academic responsibilities, video tape exchange, coordinating the Lil' Lady Techster club, as well as numerous other administrative duties.
"Ebony has done a very good job for us last year," Long said. "I've had the opportunity to watch her work on a daily basis. She has earned this promotion. She has a very bright future in women's basketball."
Felder proved to be one of the toughest players to ever don a Georgia Bulldog uniform during her playing career, overcoming numerous knee injuries to lead Andy Landers and Co. to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
She was a second generation Parade All-American at Murrah High School in Mississippi - her mother Pam McDonald Felder was named to the inaugural team in 1977 - and was named to the 2002 All-SEC Freshmen team by the league coaches.
"It is truly a blessing and a privilege to be named the new director of basketball operations," Felder said. "I feel it is a compliment to know that Coach Long recognizes my potential and trusts that I will continue to be a positive asset to the team.
"The prospect of being surrounded by a committed, honest, and supportive coaching staff, as well as a great group of players, further heightens my anticipation of this upcoming season. I thoroughly look forward to my continued role within the program."
Felder earned her bachelor's degree in English from Georgia in 2006.
