AUBURN, Ala. – Navigating her first head coach's press conference like a seasoned vet, Johnnie Harris thanked her family, her mentors and the Auburn administrators who hired her, then laid out her vision for the Tigers' women's basketball program.
"Tough, hard-nosed, physical, aggressive," said Harris on the Auburn Arena Scholarship Terrace Monday. "When opponents come in, they don't want to have anything to do with us because they know we're going to bring it every day, and that's going to take hard work.
"It's not easy to achieve that but we're going to get that done."
Harris entered the arena amid fanfare, including cheerleaders, a pep band and a welcome from Aubie.
"It was awesome. It felt like walking into the arena at the Final Four," said Harris, who knows that feeling well after helping Texas A&M win a national championship in 2011 and Mississippi State reach the title game in 2017 and 2018.
Gallery: (4-5-2021) Johnnie Harris Arrives in Auburn
Harris then addressed the Auburn women's basketball team, seated to her left.
"Auburn is a family," she said. "I can tell that just by everybody I've met so far today. Our culture is going to be one of excitement, dignity, trust, loyalty and hard work. Our expectations are going to be high.
"Education will be No. 1 with us. You're a student before you're an athlete. We will make sure that you are doing the best you can in the classroom. Both on and off the court, we're going to be a light in this community."
Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Ruthie Bolton is one of the Auburn legends who congratulated Harris, who says former players will always have a place in her program.
"I'd like to reach out to all of them and make sure that our players know them and they know our players and they share what it took to get to that level," she said.
"Auburn has a rich history, teams that have been in the Sweet 16 and the Final Four. You've won conference championships and tournament championships. What we're going to do here will be special and I think it will be something the fans will embrace."
Coach J, as she's known, paid her dues in her profession, serving 23 seasons as an assistant coach before earning her first head coaching opportunity at Auburn.
"I knew it would come, and when it came I would be ready," she said. "That's what I've been doing, I've been preparing myself. It's amazing to have this happen in the SEC."
After 16 seasons coaching in programs that reside in the SEC West, Harris knows defense is the foundation that will allow Auburn to compete in one of women's college basketball's most competitive conferences.
"We're going to pick them up from the time they get into town and we're going to escort them back out," Harris said, drawing laughter from attendees. "We'll play to our strengths, but we'll definitely be recruiting to play that style of defense."
Harris' recruiting connections will help her restock a roster that replaces WNBA-bound Unique Thompson.
"It's all about recruiting," she said. "You can be the best coach in the world but you have to have the players that fit your system."
The journey begins Tuesday, when Auburn's new coach oversees practice for the first time on the Plains.
"Our year one goal is to be competitive night in and night out," she said. "When you're competitive night in and night out, you give yourself a chance."
Here's Johnnie!
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) April 6, 2021
Amid fanfare, Auburn introduces HC @Humbleheart501
Her vision for @AuburnWBB: "Tough, hard-nosed, physical & aggressive."
Her message to fans? "They deserve your support. They'll play harder when they know the stands are full."
📷: @shannalo pic.twitter.com/OMgA9cyGEQ
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer