May 18, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford assistant women's basketball coach Clarissa Tomlinson has been promoted from the third assistant on the staff to the second, head coach Mike Morris announced on Thursday.

"C.J. (Tomlinson) has been a very important part of our program," Morris said. "She has a great understanding of the game, and with her personality and knowledge has made a positive impact on our players on and off the court. I believe she will continue to flourish with her new role and responsibilities on our staff."

Tomlinson has been a member of the coaching staff for the past three seasons. During her time on the staff, the team has posted three of the four highest single-season win totals in the program's history. Last season, the Bulldogs won a program-record 21 games and advanced to the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the first time.

Tomlinson played basketball at Samford from 1998 to 2000. Tomlinson currently ranks in the top 10 in 10 different statistical categories. She was a member of the 1999-2000 team that posted the program's first winning season.

Latrice McLin, in her sixth season as an assistant coach at Samford, is currently the top assistant on the staff. Morris said he hopes to fill the third assistant's spot on his staff in the next few weeks.