Making good on his comments that he was going to make changes in the offseason, McNeese State women’s basketball head coach Lynn Kennedy did just that.

Monday Kennedy announced the hiring of Mike Pittman as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.

“Mike will bring valuable experience in recruiting Louisiana and Texas,” Kennedy said. “He understands the region, brings tremendous connections, and knows the landscape of the Southland Conference. Most importantly, Mike shares the same vision for our program, and we are excited he is joining our family.”

The hiring is the first big move announced by Kennedy since his Cowgirls finished last season just 6-25, 2-16 in the Southland Conference. McNeese missed the Southland postseason tournament which it hosted.

Pittman comes to McNeese after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at Northwestern State in the SLC. Before his time with the Lady Demons, Pittman was the recruiting coordinator at Alcorn State and Paul Quinn College.

The hiring is a clear desire of Kennedy to recruit more local talent from Louisiana and eastern Texas.

“We want to change the way we recruit and play,” said Kennedy in early March. “We want to get some Louisiana kids to stay home. We want to get kids from Southeast Texas too.  

“We have already started that process. We need to build relationships and we are getting out in the community. We have to show people who we are.”

McNeese was able to win two of its last three games to avoid finishing last in the conference standings.