Bio

The Bulldogs named Perrmella Harris as FSU's first head cheer and stunt coach in the fall of 2024 along with the announcement of the program's launch.

Harris has been tabbed as the program's inaugural head coach of both Cheer and STUNT and brings a wealth of experience to the position. A certified USA Cheer coach, Harris is no stranger to one of the rapidly expanding sports in the country, bringing more than 30 years of extensive experience in coaching, tumbling and executive leadership to FSU.

Previously, Harris owned and operated the Metro Cheer Training Center for over 25 years, where they won over 100 local, regional and national cheerleading and dance championships. She has also coached Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) girls competitive cheer and most recently spent time as an associate head coach of a Division I acrobatics and tumbling program. Additionally, she has served as an NAIA official.

"As the head cheer and stunt coach, I am deeply honored and excited to build this program under the athletic department as a NCAA sport that will allow the skills, hard work and athleticism to be shown," she said. "My focus will be to bless talented young adults who want to continue at the college level. I also want our program to engage with our community, cultivate a culture of excellence on and off the mat while aiming for accomplishments that make our university and alumni proud."

Harris earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Madonna University and a master's degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University. She and her husband, Glenn, have been married for 30 years and have three sons, Glen Jr., Kory and Keion.

In her distinguished career, Harris has served as an executive board member of the Gamma Phi Delta Sorority and been the organization's second vice president. The 2023 Madonna University Distinguished Alumni Award recipient was presented with the 2023 AAU Lifetime Volunteer Member Award and earned the 2022 Livonia Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year honor. She is also a two-time graduate of the NCAA WeCoach Academy and has been a board member for the city of Livonia/Westland.

The addition of the STUNT program represents the first sport added by Ferris State University since the introduction of Bulldog women's soccer, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this fall and was first added in 1999.