The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women’s Basketball announces Victoria Vivians as assistant coach
08.04.2026 | Women's Basketball
Vivians played on 2017 and 2018 Final Four teams at Mississippi State and has played professionally in the WNBA and overseas.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas women's basketball head coach Vic Schaefer has announced the addition of Victoria Vivians as an assistant coach.
A part of the winningest class in program history, along with then head coach Vic Schaefer and teammate Blair Schaefer, Vivians helped transform Mississippi State into a national power from 2014-18 and was instrumental in compiling 126 wins and four-straight NCAA Tournament berths, including consecutive NCAA National Championship game appearances in 2017 and 2018. She helped surpass the program record for wins in each of her four seasons, a run that was capped off with a nation-best 37-2 record in 2017-18. Texas associate head coach Elena Lovato was on the staff at Mississippi State in her freshman and sophomore seasons.
In the 2024-25 season Vivians served as an assistant coach and director of scouting at Mississippi State. Vivians has also coached with the Rip City Remix and Portland Trailblazers.
"We are so excited to announce the addition of Victoria Vivians as an assistant coach here at The University of Texas in women's basketball," Texas head coach Vic Schaefer said. "Victoria was a tremendous player for us at Mississippi State, a First Team All-American, played in two national championship games and was a four-time All-SEC performer. And while she was a great player, I think the thing that stands out more than anything to me was what a great young lady she was. She comes from a tremendous family and played for a great high school coach. She has had a great career in the WNBA and overseas. She knows what it takes to not only be the best in college, but also knows what it is to be an elite player at the professional level."
The Carthage, Miss., native, Vivians received All-America honors in each of her four seasons and in 2018 she became the first Bulldog to be named an Associated Press First Team All-American since LaToya Thomas in 2003. Vivians was also a three-time All-SEC First Team selection and one of only three players in program history to be named All-SEC four times over the course of their career.
Vivians pieced together one of the most accomplished campaigns in program history during her senior season in 2017-18. In addition to being named an AP First Team All-American, she was also tabbed a Senior CLASS First Team All-American, WBCA All-American, USBWA Second Team All-American and ESPNW Third Team All-American. Vivians led the program back to the NCAA National Championship game and was chosen to the NCAA All-Final Four Team for the second consecutive season after also earning the honor in the year prior.
"Joining the Texas women's basketball program is incredibly special to me," Vivians said. "Having the opportunity to work alongside a coach who played such an important role in my own development as a college player makes this a true full-circle moment. Coach Vic Schaefer helped shape the competitor and person I am today, and I'm honored to be part of a program built on excellence, accountability, and championship standards. I'm excited to pour into these student-athletes, contribute to the culture, and help continue the tradition of success at Texas."
Vivians concluded her career as one of three Bulldogs to eclipse the 2,000-point plateau with 2,527 points, which remains the second-most in program history. She rewrote the record books at Mississippi State as her 923 field goals and 281 three-point field goals are also both second, while her 218 steals are fourth and 17.1 points per game remain sixth all-time in the program ranks.
"Her insight, perspective and expertise will allow her to help prepare our team, along with the rest of my staff," Schaefer said. "She will help our student-athletes be great at the collegiate level and beyond. It is with great excitement we welcome Victoria Vivians to the Longhorn family."
Vivians became the fourth player from Mississippi State at the time to be taken in the first round of the WNBA Draft when she was selected eighth overall by the Indiana Fever in 2018. Over seven seasons in the WNBA, Vivians has averaged 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game and has started 93 of her 179 career games played.
