Longtime Division I assistant Chris Harriman enters his second season with the Cougars in 2025-2026. He joined Chris Mack's inaugural staff for the 2024-25 season, helping guide the program to a 24-9 overall record and an appearance in the CAA semifinals.
Chris Harriman was the first assistant hired by Chris Mack to join the inaugural staff for the 2024-25 season, bringing 22 years of extensive experience from the Big Ten, Pac-12, Mountain West, Atlantic 10, along with a proven track record of success to the program.
Harriman will serve as assistant coach after spending last season at Saint Louis University. Prior to that, he spent four seasons at the University of California and served as associate head coach at the University of New Mexico for four years (2015-19). He also spent three years at the University of Nebraska (2012-2015) where he played a key role recruiting several All-Big 10 selections to guide the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2014.
Harriman began his coaching career at Saint Louis University under the late Rick Majerus at Saint Louis from 2008 to 2012 during the era of the Billikens' resurgence with a pair of 20-win seasons and was primarily responsible for recruiting the winningest class in SLU history. He assumed head coach duties at SLU for one game after Majerus was hospitalized leading the team to a 75-60 win at Duquesne. During Harriman's final season at SLU, the Billikens ranked in the top 25, earned an NCAA Tournament berth and defeated Memphis in the NCAA Tournament.
“Chris Harriman is one of the most energetic and hardest-working assistant coaches I’ve ever been around. He is a joy to work with daily. His background with Rick Majerus has provided him invaluable insights into the game and the preparation required to win championships,” said Mack.
Harriman is widely regarded for his international recruiting prowess and global knowledge of the game. He has successfully landed numerous key international recruits, including several representing this year’s Cougars team. He has successfully recruited players that have gone on to earn accolades such as A-10 Player of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and Pac 12 First Team All-Conference.
Recognized for his exceptional talent, Harriman was named one of the “Top 5 Division I Assistants” by CBS Sports. National basketball insider Jeff Goodman also recognized him as one of the top three international recruiters in Division I college basketball. Gary Parrish noted, “Few guys have the international networking and contacts like Harriman. He’s the long-term valuable hire, the guy who finds the gem buried under 20 feet of mud.”
Before his coaching career, Harriman was a standout guard for the Augusta State Jaguars in Georgia. He helped guide Augusta State to 3 division titles and 3 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Harriman played 4 years professionally in Australia’s National Basketball league for the Illawarra Hawks, Sydney Kings, and the Hunter Valley Pirates, where he was the runner-up for the NBL Rookie of the Year award.
Harriman married his wife, Ciara, in May 2019, he has one son, Avery, and three daughters, Kacee, Elsie, and Natalia. He is also the founder of the #AveryStrong campaign, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer in honor of his son’s battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chris and his wife Ciara to Charleston,” added Mack.
