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Chris Harriman, who served as an assistant coach at Saint Louis under Rick Majerus from 2008-12, is returning to the Billikens as an assistant coach, head coach Travis Ford announced today.
“We are excited to welcome Chris back to the Billiken family,” Ford said. “He brings an enormous amount of energy and enthusiasm to our staff. Chris’ excitement to be back at Saint Louis University and return to the Billikens has energized us as well.
“Chris has a tireless work ethic,” Ford said. “His numerous recruiting relationships along with his knowledge and understanding of the game will be a great benefit to Team Blue. With that energy and work ethic, Chris is going to help our players get better each and every day.”
“I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity that Coach Ford has given me to return to Saint Louis University,” Harriman said. “Coming back to a program where I have some of my best coaching memories under the late Rick Majerus is a dream come true for me, I’m excited to build on his legacy. I have tremendous respect for Coach Ford and the rest of the staff, and I can’t wait to continue the great success of the program and take it to new heights.
“My family and I are overjoyed to be part of the Saint Louis community and the rich basketball tradition that is deeply ingrained in this city,” Harriman said. “I am grateful for the warm welcome that we have already received, and we are eager to contribute to the ongoing success of the Billikens.”
Harriman comes to SLU after spending the previous four seasons at Cal. He also served as an associate head coach at New Mexico for four seasons (2015-19) and was at Nebraska as an assistant coach for three years (2013-16).
It was at Saint Louis under Majerus where Harriman began his stellar NCAA Division I coaching career. Hired in 2008, Harriman was one of the longest-tenured assistants during Majerus’ time at SLU. Harriman helped the Billikens to a pair of 20-win seasons, including the 2011-12 campaign that saw the Bills post a 26-8 record and reach the second round of the NCAA Championship.
Harriman was hired at Nebraska the next year, but his fingerprints were all over the Billikens’ roster that went on to post Atlantic 10 Conference championships and make two more NCAA appearances in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
Prior to being hired at Saint Louis the first time, Harriman served as an assistant at Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The Sydney, Australia, native is widely regarded for his international recruiting ties as well as being one of the top NCAA Division I assistants in the country. He helped SLU land many highly regarded players, including top Australian player Cody Ellis, New Zealand’s Rob Loe and A-10 Player of the Year Jordair Jett, who were all major parts of the Billikens’ NCAA Tournament run from 2011-14. During Harriman’s time at SLU, he recruited and coached the Billikens’ all-time winningest class.
