AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn women's basketball associate head coach Damitria Buchanan has been selected to participate in the inaugural Next Generation Institute by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, it was announced Tuesday.
The WBCA Next Generation Institute is a new high-level education program for experienced assistant coaches who aspire to become head coaches at the NCAA Division I, II, and III levels. The institute will coincide with the 2023 WBCA Convention in Dallas March 31-April 2 during the Women's Final Four.
"I am honored to be selected to participate in the Next Generation Institute at this year's Final Four in Dallas," Buchanan said. "I would like to thank Coach Johnnie Harris and Djenane Paul for their nominations. Coach J has continuously empowered me during my time here at Auburn to grow as a coach, and I am excited for this opportunity to take the next step in my development. War Eagle!"
To be eligible to for selection to participate in the program, a person must be a current WBCA member, must have at least five years' experience as a college assistant coach, and must have been nominated by their head coach. A total of 21 coaches across all three divisions were selected to participate; Buchanan is one of just two from the SEC.
Buchanan is in her second year at Auburn and was elevated to the position of associate head coach prior to this season. She serves as the Tigers' recruiting coordinator and helped land a consensus top-25 class in her first year at Auburn. On two occasions this season, she has filled in as acting head coach as Harris was unavailable due to illness; the Tigers went 2-0 in those games against Little Rock and South Alabama.
A 2010 Texas A&M graduate, Buchanan is in her 12th year of collegiate coaching, which includes stints at Stephen F. Austin, Texas Tech and Kansas.
Damitria Buchanan selected for WBCA Next Generation Institute
