As we count down to the 2023 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis, meet head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. Affectionately known as Coach Yo, she has elevated Ole Miss women’s basketball back into the national spotlight throughout her five seasons in Oxford, Mississippi.
Coach Yo was the first Bahamian woman to sign a Division I letter of intent to play basketball. She has become a trailblazer for aspiring athletes from The Bahamas. Born and raised in Freeport, Bahamas, she’s also the first Bahamian woman to coach at a Division I program.
Coach Yo was named the Rebels' ninth head coach on April 4, 2018, becoming the first black female head coach in Ole Miss women's basketball history.
During the 2022-23 season, Coach Yo led the Rebels to their 19th NCAA Tournament appearance and shook up the country in advancing to their 11th Sweet 16 in program history.
In addition to her collegiate coaching duties, Coach Yo has served as the head coach for the Bahamian national team since 2013.
Her crowning accomplishment was the first Caribbean Basketball Confederation title in a decade for the Bahamas following a 55-51 win over Jamaica to qualify for the 2016 CentroBasket Championship.
The achievement capped off a successful tournament outing with an exceptional 5-0 record.
Coach Yo has been recognized for both her playing and coaching careers with two Hall of Fame honors.
In 2016, she was inducted into the Bahamian Athletic Hall of Fame alongside Buddy Hield (of the NBA's Sacramento Kings) and Jonquel Jones (of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun).
In 2013, she was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. Coach Yo was one of 10 recipients of the Pathfinder Award for distinguished achievement outside of New England.
Throughout her career, Coach Yo has had a large impact in every community in which she has coached.
She developed a foundation in The Bahamas called NoCeilings with Coach Yo, which helps the development of children through education and athletics.
Her trademark motto #NoCeilings serves as a rallying cry both within the program and to those familiar with Coach Yo in the basketball community.
Through #NoCeilings, Coach Yo emphasizes not limiting yourself to what can be accomplished both on the court and in everyday life.
So mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and prepare for an unforgettable Thanksgiving spectacle! Watch as Coach Yo and Ole Miss take on Howard University on November 18th, at 12 PM.
Purchase tickets by following the link below!