Responsibilities: Offensive Coordinator, Skill Development Coordinator, Lead International Recruiter, Scheduling Liaison
Steve Harney joined the Harvard Women's basketball program in May of 2022.
Harney continued his stint with the Crimson in 2023-24, helping the team to 16 total victories and its sixth straight Ivy Madness appearance. He once again played a strong role in leading a trio of All-Ivy players in Harmoni Turner (first team), Lola Mullaney (Honorable Mention), and Katie Krupa (Honorable Mention).
In his first season under Head Coach Carrie Moore with the Crimson, he helped lead the team to the Ivy League Tournament, where they got their first ever Ivy League Tournament win over Columbia. They then went on to win three games in the WNIT, making school history as the first team to the Great 8. Harney was an instrumental part in the development of three All-Ivy League honorees in Harmoni Turner (first team), Lola Mullaney (second team) and Elena Rodriguez (Honorable Mention).
Harney joins the Crimson after a four-year tenure at Rider University where he rose through the coaching ranks to impact the team in different roles. Most recently, Harney served as an Assistant Coach, Director of Player Development and International Recruiting Coordinator for Rider. With Harney's help, the Broncs secured their first-ever MAAC championship and NCAA Qualifier after going 26-4 overall in the 2019-20 season. Harney also mentored the first-ever two-time MAAC Player of the Year, NCAA scoring title recipient, and WNBA Draft pick, Stella Johnson. Additionally, Harney coached the first-ever MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, Amari Johnson, and the first-ever MAAC Rookie of the Year Makayla Firebaugh.
No stranger to Ivy League hoops, Harney served as an assistant coach on the Dartmouth Big Green women's basketball staff for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons before moving on to Rider. The 2017-18 Big Green squad posted the program's first winning record since 2008-09 with help from Harney, who served as a post-player development coach and lead analytics liaison on the staff.
Prior to Dartmouth, Harney spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. During his time at Allegheny, Harney served as a skills and defensive coach while assisting in the recruitment of players who brought the Allegheny program its first win over a National Top 25 team.
The Dickinson College graduate is eager to get to work in Cambridge
"When Harvard calls, you answer. And when
Carrie Moore is on the other end, you answer quickly. And that's exactly what I did when she called to invite me to Cambridge and help lead the next generation of Harvard Women's Basketball," said Harney. "When I was young, my parents raised me to 'work hard and smart,' so living and working in an environment that pushes for excellence each day, gathers together to cooperate and innovate, and then takes equal time to reflect and rejuvenate fits seamlessly with my personal and professional philosophies. Being able to work alongside Coach Moore, someone who I have grown such an admiration for over the years, is simply a dream come true. Her ability to relate, connect, and inspire with players and colleagues will help take Harvard— and our sport— to new heights. I am humbled at the opportunity to build on a strong foundation set by
Kathy Delaney-Smith and the Friends of Harvard Women's Basketball. I look forward to the responsibility of stewarding this program into a new era alongside Coach Moore, our staff, and our Harvard Women's Basketball players. From my walks across the Charles River to my heartfelt interactions with people across Cambridge— special surrounds you at Harvard. And I'm just glad they called. Go Crimson."
