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BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech head men’s basketball coach James Johnson has announced the hiring of Robert Harris as Director of Men’s Basketball Operations for the Hokies.

“We are excited to have Rob Harris join our staff as our new director of basketball operations, “ Johnson said. “Rob brings a wealth of knowledge, head coaching experience and adminsitrative experience after his service as the assistant athletic director at Shenandoah University and the athletic director at Charlottesville High School. We knew he would fit in immediately with our current staff and easily develop good relationships with our players while taking on the day-to-day administrative duties in the office.”

Harris comes to Virginia Tech from Charlottesville High School, where he spent last year as the Athletic Director. His duties at CHS involved a wide array of responsibilities involving the school’s students, including working with the school’s sports programs.

Prior to his time in Charlottesville, Harris spent 12 seasons as the head men’s basketball coach at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va. At SU, Harris led the Hornets to two second-place finishes and two third-place finishes in the Dixie (and later USA South) Conference. He earned 2003 Dixie Conference Coach of the Year honors and was a member of the NCAA South Region ranking committee. In that capacity, Harris represented the USA South Conference to the NCAA and had a hand in selecting the national tournament championship field.

In addition to his coaching duties, Harris served the athletic department as an administrator as well. In July 1999, Harris was promoted to assistant athletic director for promotions and marketing after serving as its coordinator for three years. In that role, Harris worked with senior athletic department staff to develop additional athletic financial support.

Harris was born and raised in Washington, D.C. A 1987 graduate of St. John’s Prep School, Harris played two years of varsity basketball under the legendary Joe Gallagher while also achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel. In that role, he led four squads totaling 28 cadets.

Harris earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Shenandoah. In 1991, he earned his bachelor of science degree in mathematics and then received his master’s in business administration in December 1995. During his playing career, which encompassed Don Carter’s last season and Dave Dutton’s first three years, Harris was part of the most successful era in SU basketball history. In his final three seasons, all under Dutton, the team won three regular season ESAC Championships, two ESAC Tournament Championships, and made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Harris was a starter on the 1990-91 NCAA Tournament team that finished 21-6 and was also the ESAC regular season champions. He was also the President’s Cup Winner in 1991, an award given to the Outstanding Male and Female Athlete of the Year.

In his free time, Harris has served the community in many ways. He has been involved in “Choices,” a program geared to the development of high school students in the Winchester/Frederick County community, and graduated from Winchester/Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Program. Additionally, Harris was a member of the BB&T Shenandoah Valley and Winchester/Frederick County Youth Development Center advisory boards.

Harris has one son, Carson Trent.

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