Prairie View A&M University Athletics

No stranger to the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Courtney G. Pruitt joined the Panthers’ staff as Associate Head coach in October 2020. She arrives to The Hill following a five-year stint as head coach at Alcorn State.

While coaching the Lady Braves, Pruitt – known for tenacious defenses in her coaching career – oversaw the development of some of the top players within the SWAC during her tenure and authored one of the country’s most aggressive defensive units.

During the 2019-20 season, she presided over the nation's number one defense for steals, steals per game and turnovers forced per game while placing inside the top-20 for turnover margin as well. Alcorn more than tripled the team's win total from a season prior and ultimately posted its highest win total in eight seasons as well as its best conference record in three years. Alcorn State finished ranked in the top 15 nationally for steals per game three times in Pruitt’s tenure.

Pruitt also coached several All-SWAC honorees as well as the 2015-16 SWAC Player of the Year in Norianna Haynes and the 2016-17 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in Henrietta Wells and Alexus Freeman, respectively.

Prior to Alcorn, Pruitt was the head coach at Wiley College where she led the Lady Wildcats to 3 NAIA National Tournament Appearances, 1 Final Four Appearance, 2 Red River Athletic Conference Titles, and 1 Tournament title. She also coached 3 All-Americans and received 2 back to back coach of the year awards in 2012–2013 & 2013-2014 season. Pruitt left the program as its all-time winningest coach and has since made history as a member of the inaugural class of the Red River Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, an honor she received in September 2020.

Pruitt began her coaching career at Lon Morris College in 2005. During her tenure, she assisted the team to the Region 14 conference semi-finals. In 2008, she headed to Ranger College, where she produced three conference players with an outstanding record marking the history books for the school accomplishments in women’s basketball. In 2010-2011, Pruitt continued her coaching career as she was named the assistant coach at Tyler Junior College. She helped lead the team to a 23-8 record as they produced one All-American and three all-conference players.

Pruitt earned an associate’s degree from Lon Morris College in 2003. She received a bachelor’s degree from Newberry College in 2005 and a master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin in 2008