SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Booker T. Harris, a member of the USF Dons' NCAA Division I tournament team in 1998 who was the top assistant coach for NCAA Div. II perennial powerhouse Metro State in Denver the past two seasons, has been named the new men's head basketball coach at Dominican University of California, the University announced today.

“We are delighted to welcome Booker to Dominican to help this institution's student-athletes build a championship program in men's basketball in the Pacific West Conference,” Dominican President Joseph R. Fink said. “With Booker's reputation and his experience in every aspect of college basketball, we believe he is the right person to push the Penguins forward to the next level.”

Harris, 34, has been involved with multiple championship teams at the NCAA Div. I and NCAA Div. II levels from the West Coast Conference to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

“Booker has a wealth of experience with players at various levels of play, from prep athletes to competitive Division I programs,” said Dominican Director of Athletics Terry Tumey. “As we move Dominican Basketball to a more competitive level, we will need a coach that has experienced success in recruiting and on the court in Division II to move us forward.”

“I want to thank President Fink and Terry Tumey for this great opportunity. I am eager and excited to get to work and build upon the success that Dominican basketball has seen in the past,” said Harris. “The opportunity to return home to the Bay Area and have my family close by is a dream come true.”

In his two seasons at Metro State, Harris helped the Roadrunners to a 46-15 record and two NCAA Div. II appearances.  Last season, Metro State lost by four points in the NCAA Central Region semifinals to top-seeded Minnesota State on Mavericks' home floor in Mankato. Minnesota State (28-5) lost to eventual NCAA Div. II tournament champion Bellarmine in the NCAA Div. II Elite Eight.

Metro State, which won NCAA national titles in 2000 and 2002, is the winningest men's basketball program in NCAA Div. II history. The Roadrunners have an all-time NCAA tournament record of 30-13 in 15 trips. Metro State currently has 13 players competing in professional basketball in the United States and abroad.
Before Metro State, Harris spent two seasons as Director of Basketball Operations at NCAA Div. I University of San Diego. In 2008, the Toreros won the WCC tournament and upset UConn in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

Harris also was a member of a championship team at Cal State San Bernardino where he was an assistant coach for four seasons when the Coyotes compiled an 86-28 record, setting a California Collegiate Athletic Association record with six consecutive conference titles. In 2006-07, San Bernardino won the NCAA West Region and advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Div. II tournament.

In 2002-03, Harris was the strength and conditioning coach at NCAA Div. I Long Beach State. He began his coaching career in 2001-02 as an assistant coach at Sonoma State University where he earned his master's degree in Business Administration.

A two-time member of the WCC's All-Academic team, Harris played for Coach Phil Mathews at USF where he graduated in 1999. The 6-foot-1 guard played three seasons for the Dons and was a member of USF's WCC tournament championship team in 1998. The Dons lost in the opening round of the NCAA tournament that year to Utah, which played all the way to the NCAA tournament championship game.

Harris, a native of San Francisco, went to USF from Bridgemont High School, a private Christian college preparatory school in Daly City. At Bridgemont, Harris averaged nearly 28 points a game in his senior year playing for Booker Harris Sr., his father. The USF-bound guard left Bridgemont as the school's all-time leading scorer until his younger brother, Eddy, surpassed him three years later. Eddy is currently an assistant coach at Skyline Junior College in San Bruno.

In the summer, Harris has organized and coached at many youth basketball camps, including a Golden State Warriors camp at Redwood High School in Larkspur in 1999. He also competed in the San Francisco Pro/Am League and in the Drake High School Summer Basketball League in San Anselmo.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT BOOKER HARRIS

“I think Dominican has made an excellent choice in Booker Harris. He played for me at the University of San Francisco and is a great leader. I always knew that he had a passion for coaching and would make a great coach. He has paid his dues as he has been a director of operations, an assistant coach, and now a head coach. He is very dedicated, a great person and comes from a great family and will do an excellent job.”
Phil Mathews, UCLA assistant coach who coached Harris as head coach at USF

“I have always admired Booker as a fierce competitor.  It will be exciting to watch him lead with great enthusiasm as he attacks this special opportunity at Dominican.”
Rick Croy, Saint Mary's College assistant coach who competed against Harris in high school

“Booker has certainly paid his dues in the profession and is a very hard working and diligent coach.  His experience here, at San Bernardino and at Metro State has prepared him for this opportunity. Dominican is getting a tremendous person that will connect well with people in the community.”
Bill Grier, Head Men's Basketball Coach at the University of San Diego

“I'm so happy for Booker! He has been around the game for a long time. He has paid his dues, and he is ready to take charge.”
Pat Fuscaldo, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Sonoma State University

“I think Dominican will be very pleased with Booker Harris. He's a fantastic coach, recruiter, and an even better person. I look forward to seeing him turn Dominican's program around.”
Brannon Hays, former Metro State University head men's basketball coach

“Booker Harris is an up and coming young coach who will excel as a head coach. Booker has spent years working at his craft and his hard work has paid off. While at Metro State, Booker formed a unique bond with our players. Booker will move the Dominican basketball program forward because of his work ethic and great integrity. We wish him the best of fortunes in the future.”
Derrick Clark, current Metro State University head men's basketball coach

“I feel Coach Harris and his background of discipline and success is exactly what we need at Dominican. Having a coach that knows what it's like and what it takes in order to be a championship caliber team will, without a doubt, help us to become the successful basketball team that we as players want to be.”
Dominican freshman forward Connor Haysbert