Lindsey Hunter is excited about his new challenge at Mississippi Valley State.
Making his return to the Southwestern Athletic Conference — where he was a star at Jackson State — Hunter replaces Andre Payne, whose contract wasn’t renewed after having a losing record in five seasons in Itta Bena.
Hunter takes over an MVSU program that has made five NCAA Tournament appearances, with the latest coming in 2012, but has fallen on hard times as of late.
“I honestly believe we can, and will, win here. You will see me work deligently to make sure of that,” Hunter said Tuesday at his introductry press conference at MVSU. “I have had some other opportunities to coach, but this has been a dream of mine for some time.”
Hunter has been an assistant coach in both the NBA and at the college level. He was also interim head coach for the Phoenix Suns for part of the 2012-13 season.
He started his career at Alcorn State, earning Rookie of The Year honors in 1989 before transfering to JSU.
Hunter averaged 26.7 points per game as a senior and he was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year. He led Jackson State to an upset of UConn in the 1993 postseason NIT before going on to being a lottery pick.
“This journey has prepared him to lead this program in the right direction,” said MVSU Director of Athletics Dianthia Ford-Kee.
“I am excited about his energy, vision, and most importantly, the impact he will have on our program.”
Hunter most recently served as an assistant coach at the University of Buffalo during the 2016-17 season.
The Mississippi native spent his college career torching the SWAC in general and Valley in particular.
Hunter spent a total of 15 years in the league, collecting two NBA titles, one with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2001-02 and another with the Detroit Pistons in 2003-04.
