ITTA BENA -- A new era has begun for the Mississippi Valley State University men's basketball program.

The university announced today that interim head coach Chico Potts has been named head coach following a four-year stint as an assistant coach under Sean Woods, who left for Morehead State last month.

Potts, who was also an assistant at Delta State from 2006-08, will have the interim tag removed from his name after signing a multiyear deal with MVSU. He will be the ninth head men's basketball coach in school history.

"He presented himself well during the interview process," said MVSU interim director of athletics Donald Sims. "He also has a plan for our men's basketball program for them to excel academically and athletically, which is very important."

Potts, an Indianola native who played at LSU and Delta State, was the primary assistant coach on last year's squad that racked up a SWAC regular season and tournament title along with an NCAA Tournament appearance -- the fith in school history. The Delta Devils also once held the nation's second-longest win streak (17 games) during the 2011-12 season.

Potts got his start as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Delta State, in 2001 before he made stops at Greenville-Weston (2002-03) and Tupelo High School (2003-06). He was an assistant coach under Jason Conner from 2006-08 at DSU before joining Woods at MVSU in 2008.

Potts earned his associates of science degree from Lon Morris College in 1997 before getting a bachelor's degree in physical education from DSU in 2000. He finished his master's program in physical education from DSU in 2002.

The Potts File
2001-02 Delta State University (Grad Assistant)
2002-03 Greenville-Weston High School (Head Coach Jr. Varsity; Varsity Boys Assistant)
2003-06 Tupelo High School (Head Coach Jr. Varsity; Varsity Boys Assistant)
2006-08 Delta State University (Assistant Coach)
2008-12 Mississippi Valley State University (Assistant Coach)