After successfully building a championship-caliber program at Norfolk State, a historically Black college in Virginia, Larry Vickers is embarking on a new challenge as the head coach of Auburn’s women’s basketball team. Vickers has deep ties to Norfolk State, where he spent a total of 23 years—first as a student-athlete, then as an assistant coach, and ultimately as the head coach. Under his leadership, the Spartans achieved remarkable success, securing three consecutive conference championships, making multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, and most recently, reaching an impressive 30-win season. His track record of building a winning culture and developing elite defensive teams has now earned him the opportunity to bring his expertise to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and make an impact at a Power Four program.
During his introductory press conference on Monday at the Woltosz Center, Vickers expressed his enthusiasm for joining Auburn, citing the university’s people and staff as key factors in his decision. “Auburn was a no-brainer because of the people, because of the staff,” he said. “We want to have quality people on our staff, and we’ll have quality people on our team.” His emphasis on culture, relationships, and accountability has been a hallmark of his coaching philosophy, and he intends to instill the same principles at Auburn.
Vickers has already had a taste of what it’s like to coach against Auburn, as he led Norfolk State to a 63-57 victory over the Tigers on December 29, 2024. In that game, the Spartans dominated the glass, outrebounding Auburn by nine and securing 21 offensive rebounds. Vickers’ defensive system, which has been a staple of his teams over the years, proved effective once again, forcing 16 turnovers and limiting Auburn to just 36.7% shooting from the field. The win was a testament to his team’s discipline, physicality, and ability to execute his defensive game plan at a high level.
A Defensive Identity
Vickers has long built his teams around defense, and that philosophy will continue at Auburn. “We have a formula that works for us,” he explained. “We have a formula to rebound so we can take advantage of multiple mismatches.” His emphasis on rebounding and defensive pressure has been central to his teams’ success, and he intends to bring that same approach to the SEC, one of the most competitive conferences in the country.
During his tenure at Norfolk State, his commitment to defense helped the Spartans achieve national recognition. In the 2022-23 season, Norfolk State boasted the No. 1 scoring defense in the entire country, a remarkable feat for any program, let alone one from a mid-major conference. This season, under his leadership, the Spartans were widely regarded as the top HBCU program in the nation.
“I’m only sitting here because we hang our hat on defense,” Vickers said. “Our defenses have generally been nationally ranked. It’s a different level of guard across the board every night in the SEC, but we’ll have a different level of player too, executing that same vision and plan.” He acknowledges that the level of competition in the SEC will be greater than what he faced at Norfolk State, but he remains confident that his defensive principles, when paired with elite talent, will translate to success at Auburn.
A Connection to Auburn’s Values
Interestingly, Vickers’ connection to Auburn began in an unexpected way—through the Auburn Creed. He came across it on YouTube and immediately felt a connection to its message. One line, in particular, stood out to him: “I believe in work, and hard work.”
“As y’all get to know my story, you’ll know I’m only here because of hard work,” Vickers said. “Hopefully, our hard work can lead to championships. Hopefully, our hard work can lead to that celebration of rolling Toomer’s Corner, and our hard work can lead to a 100-percent graduation rate.”
This statement reflects his broader philosophy of success—not just in basketball, but in life. Vickers has always been committed to developing student-athletes both on and off the court, and he hopes to build a program at Auburn that values hard work, discipline, and academic excellence just as much as winning games.
The Importance of Recruiting
Vickers understands that competing in the SEC requires not only great coaching but also high-level recruiting and player development. The conference is home to some of the most talented teams in the country, and to compete at the highest level, Auburn will need to attract top-tier talent.
At Norfolk State, Vickers proved his ability to identify and develop players who fit his system, turning them into key contributors on a national stage. Now, at Auburn, with greater resources and a larger platform, he will have the opportunity to recruit at an even higher level. His ability to build relationships with players and create a culture of accountability will be critical in attracting top talent and elevating Auburn’s women’s basketball program.
As he takes the reins at Auburn, Vickers is embracing both the challenges and opportunities that come with coaching at a Power Four school. His defensive-minded approach, commitment to hard work, and dedication to building a strong team culture will be the foundation of his vision for the program. With his track record of success, Auburn fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future under Larry Vickers.
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