Ladner Legacy takes Southern Miss basketball motto “La Familia” to a whole new level

Last season, the Southern Miss Men’s basketball team had an outstanding year with a Sun Belt title to prove it.

Along with the talent they already had, the team picked up some key players, along with additional leadership, and a new motto that reminds them who they play for.

This year, the team is giving a whole new meaning to that motto, “La Familia.”’

 When it comes to Reed Green Coliseum, Southern Miss head basketball coach Jay Ladner is no stranger.

“I have to kind of pinch myself everyday,” said Jay.  It’s of course a dream come true and I’m one of the few coaches in Division I that has an opportunity to coach back at their alma mater. I always say I wasn’t a very good player, but I played with some really good players.” 

With the help of Ladner and those really good players, the Golden Eagles brought home the NIT championship in 1987.

One of Ladner’s goals was to bring that type of energy back to the coliseum.

“I had played her back in the 80’s when the sellouts were commonplace, and then those days were over with, they passed by, you know if we can just get the coliseum half full. Of course, we surpassed that and just the excitement that we carried throughout the season and as we continue to build it,” said Jay. “We had a fifteen game win streak and it’s still intact, and it’s just unbelievable.”

The Golden Eagles had an overall record of 25-8, and a conference record of 14-4, which resulted in clinching the Sun Belt championship title in their inaugural year.

Ladner and the team attributes a lot of that success to the it’s new remodeled mantra, “La Familia.”

“When we talk about La Familia, of course I have to give Coach Juan Cardona credit and that was his way of saying what we said everyday with family, and we truly operate like that,” said Jay. “As a coach, my philosophy is to treat every player like I would treat my own son. I’m going to coach them like I want my own son to be coached, and we truly care about our players here, and that’s not something that really started here. That of course goes back to my St. Stanislaus days because that’s just the way I think it’s supposed to be done.”

As training begins towards the 2023-2024 season, Southern Miss basketball is taking “La Familia” to a whole different level.

Coach Lander will get to share the family with his son, Luke Ladner, after playing at Loyola University for four years.

Luke says the Golden Eagle family has welcomed him with open arms.

“There’s no forced relationships with people on this team. It’s just, everybody comes into work everyday and if you’re wearing the black and gold, you’re just a part of the family, you’re a part of ‘La Familia,’” said Luke. “La familia has just continued on. They’ve welcomed me in, and obviously my dad has welcomed me home as well, so I’m excited to get to play for him. I haven’t been able to play for him my entire life, so it’ll be a good experience.” 

It’s safe to say feelings are quite mutual for his father.

“I’m excited about the first time in his life that I’m going to have the opportunity to coach him and he’s gotten off to a good start this summer,” said Jay. “He’ll be treated just like every other player. I treat the other ones like my own son, and he won’t get any special favors I can promise you because he is my son. He’ll have to earn it, but that’s the way he has done it and he has already proven he can do that.”