Clayton Harris begins his 26th season as an assistant coach at Alabama State University for the women’s basketball program, all under head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson.
Prior to his time under Jackson, Harris worked 16 years under former Alabama State men’s basketball coach James Oliver. During that time, he was instrumental in the Hornets’ back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference championships and appearances in the postseason National Invitational Tournament in 1983 and the preseason NIT in 1993.
He is also been an integral part of the women’s program to the three NCAA Tournaments, and was instrumental in the recruiting of greats Shameka Jackson, Crystal Kitt and Britney Wright.
Among his duties as an assistant coach, Harris oversees the Lady Hornets’ conditioning, recruiting and scouting programs, and he is charged with seeing that the Lady Hornets are in peak physical shape.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Alabama State in 1980, before receiving his master’s degree in education in 1981. He also earned a second master’s degree in administration in 1997.
Throughout his playing days, Harris was a play making guard with a deft shooting touch who played during one of the most successful basketball eras in ASU history. During the 1979-80 season, Harris averaged six points per game and helped guide the team to a 32-2 record – the best in school history – and a spot in the NAIA national championship game. During his career with the Hornets, Harris helped ASU compile a 91-24 record.
He is married to the former Brenda Hill of Midway, Ala. They have two children -- Clayton Jr., a former wide receiver for ASU and 2005 ASU graduate, and Britney, a graduate student and a staff member of the ASU Lady Hornets. Harris is the proud grandfather of three: Kayden Prince (grandson), Kyleigh Brielle (granddaughter), Gianna Braylynn Williams (granddaughter).
