Niagara University Athletics

Harbin enters his seventh season with the Niagara women's basketball program in 2023-24. After serving as an Assistant Coach for his first three seasons with the Purple Eagles, Harbin was promoted to Associate Head Coach in January 2021. Harbin serves as the defensive coordinator for the Purple Eagles since he joined the staff in 2017-18. 

The Purple Eagles once again had a successful season with Harbin on the bench as the Associate Head Coach while overseeing the defense. Niagara led the MAAC in turnover margin at +8.0. The 8.0 turnover margin was the second best mark in the country. The Purple Eagles finished the season leading the country with 15.1 steals per game. The Purple Eagles tallied 530 total steals which led the country. Angel and Aaliyah Parker were named to the All-MAAC Second Team. 

In Feburary of 2023, Harbin was selected to the inaugural WBCA Next Generation Institute. The Next Generation Institute curriculum focuses on the CEO attributes needed to lead a program and be a problem-solver in today’s ever-changing landscape of higher education and the enterprise of intercollegiate athletics. He was one of just 21 coaches across all three divisions to be selected. 

Niagara had a historic season in 2022-23 as the Purple Eagles went 16-4 in MAAC play which set a new program record. Following an appearance in the MAAC semifinals for the second straight season the Purple Eagles earned a bid to the WNIT. It was the first time in program history in which the Purple Eagles played in a postseason tournament. Both Angel Parker and Aaliyah Parker were named First Team All-MAAC. Niagara led the MAAC in turnover margin, steals, steals per game, and forced turnovers per games. The Purple Eagles led the country in turnover margins, steals, steals per game, and turnovers per game.

In 2021-22 Niagara went 15-15 overall and 11-9 in MAAC play while advancing to the MAAC semifinals. On the defensive side, the Purple Eagles set new program record in steals (398), steals per game (13.3) and forced turnovers per game (25.4). The 25.4 forced turnovers per game led the country while they were fourth in steals and tops in the country in steals per game. Freshman Aaliyah Parker was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year while Angel Parker was a unanimous All-MAAC First Team selection.

During the shortened 2020-21 season the Purple Eagles notched a 4-7 overall record and played just MAAC contests due COVID-19. Sophomore Angel Parker was named to the All-MAAC Third Team as she played in all 11 games while averaging 15.3 points per game while pulling down 6.6 rebounds per game. The Purple Eagles forced 19.3 turnovers per game while scoring 14.9 points off turnovers. Niagara averaged 10.2 steals per game on the season which was first in the MAAC and 28^th in the country.

In 2019-20, the Purple Eagles went 10-21 overall, 7-13 in MAAC play and advanced to the quarterfinals of the MAAC Championships. Guard Maggie McIntyre was named the Sixth Player of the Year, while guard Jai Moore was named to the All-MAAC Second Team and freshman guard Adia Brisker was a unanimous selection to the MAAC All-Rookie Team. Six players were named to the MAAC All-Championship Team and 10 earned MAAC All-Academic Team honors. Niagara finished the season ranked 44th in the NCAA in forced turnovers per game (18.77), 50th in steals (293) and 57th in steals per game (9.5).

During the 2018-19 season, Harbin helped the Purple Eagles to their best conference start since the 2004-05 season, with the team going 7-4 through its first 11 MAAC games. The Purple Eagles went 12-19 overall and competed in the Preseason WNIT for the first time in program history. Jai Moore was named to the All-MAAC First Team and six Purple Eagles were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. The team finished the season ranked 45th in the NCAA in forced turnovers per game with 18.9. 

The Purple Eagles went 13-18 in Harbin's first season (2017-18) with a 9-9 MAAC record. It was the team's best MAAC finish since the 2014-15 season. Forward Victoria Rampado was named the MAAC Player of the Year and was a unanimous selection to the All-MAAC First Team amd forward Kaylee Stroemple was named to the All-MAAC Third Team. Eight players were selected to the MAAC All-Academic Team. 

Before Niagara, Harbin spent the 2016-17 season as an assistant women's basketball coach at International Prep (PS 198) in Buffalo, N.Y. At International Prep, Harbin's primary duties included assisting the head coach with competition preparation and workouts, assisting with the recruitment of high school students and assisting with the postseason workout schedule and summer league. Harbin coached one Division II Co-Player of the Year and three Division II All-WNY Team selections. 

Harbin served as an assistant coach with the Michigan Storm AAU team from 2016-17. He assisted with skill development, served as a role model and mentor for the student-athletes and served as the head coach for the younger teams when needed. 

Harbin served as the head women's basketball coach at NCAA Division II Salem International University in Salem, W. Va. from 2011-12 and 2014-16. Harbin oversaw all phases of the women's basketball program, organized on and off-campus recruitment efforts, planned practices, oversaw game planning and the scouting of opponents, monitored the academic progress of his student-athletes and managed the program's budget, compliance, fundraising, travel, scheduling and staff. Harbin also coordinated summer basketball camps. During the 2015-16 season, Harbin coached one All-ECAC players. The team was ranked sixth in NCAA Division II in forced turnovers per game (23.14), eighth in steals per game (11.7) and 20th in total steals (328). Four players were named to the GMAC All-Academic Team. During the 2011-12 season, Harbin's team ranked 56th in the NCAA in steals per game (10.6). 

In between his stints at Salem International, Harbin served as an assistant women's basketball coach at Oakland University from 2012-14, where he assisted with all phases of the Golden Grizzlies' NCAA Division I program, including recruiting, scouting opponents and on-court coaching during individual workouts and practices. In 2013, he helped build a top-rated recruiting class, with three players that were ranked in the top 100 in the country. Harbin also coached one All-Horizon League players and one All-Defensive Team selection. 

Harbin also brings vast experience coaching on the men's side. He served as an assistant men's basketball coach at SUNY Fredonia from 2007-11, where he coached under the 2008-09 SUNYAC Coach of the Year, Kevin Moore, and at Laurinburg Institute in Laurinburg, N.C. from 2006-07. Harbin started his coaching career at Lees-McRae College, an NCAA Division II program in Banner Elk, N.C., as an assistant men's basketball coach from 2004-06.

Harbin played college basketball at Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Mich. from 1997-99, where he led the team in blocked shots, rebounds and field goal percentage. He then played one season (1999-2000) at the University of North Alabama and played his final year (2003-04) at Lees-McRae College, where he led the team in blocked shots and field goal percentage.

Harbin earned a bachelor's in business administration from Lees-McRae College in 2006 and completed his master's in interdisciplinary studies at Fredonia in 2010. Harbin is a member of the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association).

Harbin resides in Youngstown, N.Y. with his wife Averl and his daughter Faith.