Missy Bilderback serves as Head Coach for University of Southern Mississippi's Women's Basketball program in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Missy Bilderback was named as the fifth head coach in Southern Miss women’s basketball program history on March 23, 2025. A native of Hattiesburg, Miss., and alumna of The University of Southern Mississippi, Bilderback’s return home was a dream realized in more ways than one. While prepping at Forrest County Agricultural High School (Brooklyn, Miss.) just outside of the Hub City, Bilderback routinely attended some of Southern Miss’ greatest games at Reed Green Coliseum. As some of the greatest Lady Eagles to ever wear the uniform made their way through Hattiesburg, Bilderback looked on from the stands.
After making her collegiate debut at Pearl River Community College (Poplarville, Miss.), Bilderback’s admiration for Southern Miss and Coach Kay James only grew stronger. After a two-season career at the River that earned her the best female athlete award in 1998, she enrolled at Southern Miss and quickly got involved with the Lady Eagle program, soaking up every moment around James and her Lady Eagles. While assisting the Lady Eagles on and off the court, Bilderback’s love for basketball continued to push her towards her next step. In 1999, the first step on a decades-long path came from a surprising source: Presbyterian Christian School. At that time, PCS was a small, single-A member, of the Mississippi Private School Association, and not an ideal starting spot for a young coach with aspirations of coaching at the highest levels. However, with James’ support and encouragement, Bilderback – just a senior in college at the time – took a leap of faith and accepted the offer to become the school’s first girl’s basketball coach. Over the next 16 years, Bilderback and the Bobcats grew together and reached heights once thought unreachable.
