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April 12, 2005
NEW YORK -- Paul E. Nixon has been named head coach of women's basketball at Columbia University in the City of New York, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Dr. M. Dianne Murphy announced today. Nixon replaces Tory Verdi who served as acting head women's basketball coach since February of 2005.
"Paul brings with him almost 15 years of coaching experience," said Dr. Murphy. "He brings leadership, integrity and a commitment to excellence in all that he does. Paul is the perfect fit for our vision for Columbia Athletics and specifically women's basketball."
Nixon comes to Columbia from Indiana University, where he served as assistant coach for the Hoosiers since 2002. His responsibilities included recruiting, game/bench strategy, scouting and individual player development. His 2003 recruiting class was ranked in the national top-25. He was also charged with managing the team's academic progress and coordinating alumni relations.
"I am extremely excited about this opportunity," said Nixon. "I know there is so much untapped potential at Columbia and I am proud to have been chosen as the person to help rebuild this program."
Prior to his tenure at Indiana, Nixon spent three years as an assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi. On the court, Nixon worked primarily with the post players and helped Southern Miss to the 2000 Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). His recruiting class that year was ranked in the national top-40.
In addition, Nixon spent two years as an assistant at the University of Nevada-Reno and four years in a similar position at Marshall University. While at Nevada, he recruited Kate Smith the 1999-2000 Big West Freshman of the Year and the 1997-98 team posted the best record in the school's history. During his four seasons at Marshall, he recruited two Southern Conference Freshmen of the Year; the 1996-97 team won the Southern Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
As a student at Vanderbilt, Nixon was a volunteer assistant with the women's team from 1991-93 and a manager for the men's basketball team all four seasons, eventually being named head manager. During his time with the Commodores, the men's team won the NIT, made it to the NCAA Tournament twice, including the Sweet 16 in 1993 and was the Southeastern Conference Champion the same year.
Nixon graduated from Vanderbilt in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in communication studies. He received a master of science degree in health, physical education and recreation from Marshall in 1996. He prepped at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Ga., where he was a three-year letterwinner in basketball and was his class valedictorian. During his senior season, he was named team captain and most valuable player. He earned GISA all-state honors in basketball. Nixon also lettered in soccer and track. He helped his track team win the GISA AAA state championship.
There will be a welcome reception on Wednesday, April 13 at 2 p.m. in the Lou Gehrig Lounge in the Dodge Fitness Center on Columbia's Morningside Campus. All media, alumni and friends of Columbia Women's Basketball are encouraged to attend. Nixon is expected to start on campus May 1, 2005.
