The late former Southern Miss women’s basketball coach Joye Lee-McNelis is now a member of the Conference USA Hall of Fame.
While the Golden Eagles are no longer a member of the CUSA, Lee-McNelis spent 18 of her 21 seasons at Southern Miss leading teams that competed in the conference. She coached her final three campaigns with the black and gold being members of the Sun Belt.
Lee-McNelis passed away at the age of 63 in June 2025 after a lengthy battle with cancer. She had announced her retirement from coaching just a few months before she died. A native of Leetown, her collegiate basketball journey began at Southern Miss where she played under Kay James’ leadership and ended at her alma mater.
In her 27 years as a head coach in CUSA at Southern Miss and former conference rival Memphis, Lee-McNelis accumulated 231 all-time conference wins, a mark that still stands as the most in league history by any men’s or women’s basketball coach. Other notable feats include her being named CUSA Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2017.
Lee-McNelis helped establish CUSA, with Memphis, then Memphis State, joining it while she was coaching there. Her Lady Tigers hoisted four total trophies in the league’s first three seasons after winning two regular season and two tournament championships. Memphis also claimed six consecutive division titles in the early goings of the league format.
Forever part of our legacy, we welcome Joye Lee-McNelis to the CUSA Hall of Fame 💫#NoLimitsOnUs pic.twitter.com/6g0Of73OIg
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) July 8, 2026
After returning to her alma mater in 2004, Lee-McNelis rebuilt Southern Miss to a contender for the CUSA title. Her Lady Eagles advanced to the league championship game four times in her 18 seasons competing in Conference USA. 13 of her former players played professionally and 11 of her teams made the postseason.
All told, Lee-McNelis coached two CUSA Players of the Year; two CUSA Tournament MVPs; three defensive players of the year; two sixth women of the year; one freshman of the year; three newcomers of the year; 35 All-CUSA selections; 15 First Team selections; 10 Second Team Selections; nine Third Team selections; 13 All-Freshman Team selections; five All-Defensive Team selections; and 42 Players of the Week.
The 2026 C-USA Hall of Fame class is the eighth class honoring former C-USA legends. McNelis is the second former Southern Miss athlete or coach to join the group alongside former Golden Eagle pitcher Nick Sandlin (class of 2025).
Other members of the 2026 CUSA Hall of Fame class include Jon Elmore (Marshall men’s basketball), Rachel Folden Marshall softball), Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic football), and Brent Stockstill (Middle Tennessee football).