With the season just around the corner, Mississippi State is going to have to adjust on the fly with a new interim head coach. Nikki McCray-Penson announced today she is stepping down from her position to focus on her health.
“Over the past several weeks, I have been faced again with health concerns I had hoped were behind me,” McCray-Penson stated. “In light of these developments, I have decided to step away from coaching in order to devote my full time and energy to addressing those issues. Although I look forward to returning to coaching when I am able, I believe this is the best decision for me and my family at this time. I appreciate the support MSU has shown me, and I will be pulling for the team’s success this season.”
Doug Novak, who was serving as the team’s associate head coach, will now be the interim head coach for the Lady Bulldogs.
“We appreciate the time and effort Coach McCray-Penson invested in our program and respect her decision to focus on her health and family,” shared athletic director John Cohen. “Throughout her time as a player and as a coach, Nikki has shown herself to be a competitor, and we fully support her as she takes some time away from the game to address her health concerns.”
