Arizona Republic. Miller's competitive fire that made her a Division II third-team All-American in 2008 has translated to coaching. Drury. But since Miller took over as head coach at age 28 in 2014, she pushed the Panthers to the best all-time winning percentage (.827) in Division II history. "I'm excited to hit the ground running and meet those kids and love them like family. Molly Miller's tenure as the Lady Panthers head coach saw another magical season under her leadership as Drury went 35-1, advanced to the NCAA-II national semifinals, won the Midwest Regional, and won their third-straight GLVC championship in 2018-19. Growing up in Springfield as Molly Carter, she found her love of basketball at age 8 as a ball girl for national power Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State). Join Facebook to connect with Molly Miller and others you may know. Last month, Womens Basketball Coaches Association Executive Director Danielle Donehew called Miller a rising star after her peers named her the Division II Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. Coach Miller is one of the winningest college head coaches in the country and a true leader who knows how to run a championship program, GCU Interim Vice President of Athletics Jamie Boggs said. GCU womens basketball coach Molly Miller led the school to its first NIT appearance this season. 1988 Men's NCAA, 2019 Women's NCAA, 1940 Men's NCAA, 2006 Women's NCAA, 1981 Men's NCAA. Drury announced Amy Eagan would be promoted to the head coaching position after she spent one year as an assistant coach. Miller and the Lopes have earned back-to-back appearances in the WAC Tournament championship game as she finished 22-10 overall and 14-4 in WAC play in 2021-22. Miller just completed her fifth season as the Lady Panthers head coach and her teams have gone 148-17. Miller's teams have played with frenetic energy to dominate in Division II and she exudes a similar intensity on the sideline. She mastered dribbling and finishing with either hand and progressed into a player who won two state championships at Kickapoo High School, where her teams went 109-9 (.924). 224-34 (.868) Molly Miller is leading the Grand Canyon women's basketball program for her third season as Lopes head coach after taking over the program on April 7, 2020. Molly Miller Life is good Grand Canyon University Head Womens Bball Coach #lopesup . Im super-competitive, Miller said. Grand Canyons aspirations to rise in Division I womens basketball will be in the hands of new Lopes head coach Molly Miller, a two-time Division II Coach of the Year who leads all active college basketball coaches in winning percentage. 1 for every week of the Division II poll up until the NCAA tournament cancellation. Molly Miller's tenure as the Lady Panthers head coach saw another magical season under her leadership as Drury went 35-1, advanced to the NCAA-II national semifinals, won the Midwest Regional, and won their third-straight GLVC championship in 2018-19. Drury ended the year with a number three national ranking after being ranked number one in the coaches' poll throughout the second half of the season. Miller and the Lopes have earned back-to-back appearances in the WAC Tournament championship game as she finished 22-10 overall and 14-4 in WAC play in 2021-22. All rights reserved. The two have not been since since. "I thought for myself as I continued to look at my life and my career, there's not a better Division II in the country," Eagan said of her decision. "She has tremendous character, is passionate about her faith and will be a wonderful leader for our student-athletes. "She carries herself with class and poise, and I was so proud to have her by my side last year. Molly Miller is leading the Grand Canyon women's basketball program for her third season as Lopes head coach after taking over the program on April 7, 2020. But since Miller took over as head coach at age 28 in 2014, she pushed the Panthers to the best all-time winning percentage (.827) in Division II history. "Jinx" averaged 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists in 923 games for six teams. She has tremendous character, is passionate about her faith and will be a wonderful leader for our student-athletes.
Miller posted an astounding 180-17 record over six years at her alma mater, Drury. Millers teams defend with the intensity and trapping that was her trademark as a player. #LopesUp 0:43 1K views GCU Havocs and 3 others Coach Molly Miller Retweeted 580 following. Just before becoming the head coach at Truman State, she was the head coach at Ashford and took a team that won just four games in her first season to a near .500-record the next year. When you work hard and strive for great things and you're a good person, you want to achieve great things and that's what you can do with the support here and the resources here.". We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. She also served as a head coach at NAIA St. Ambrose in Davenport, Iowa, from 2005-07. View Comments. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. "I look forward to a seamless transition for our basketball program and the fun journey that lies ahead for our university, our players, our fans and our community." READ ALSO:GCU freezes tuition for 13th year. On the heels of Mother's Day, GCU Women's Basketball Head Coach Molly Miller shares a glimpse inside her family. In her first job, Miller spent four years as a marketing director for Springfield Neurological and Spine Institute, putting her master of business administration to use while giving basketball instruction to players on the side. In the midst of global chaos, Grand Canyon University made a tremendous hire that might have been overshadowed by the events of 2020. I think we can make a big splash. Drury has been ranked in the Division II top 25 for a nation-leading 111 consecutive weeks. In July of 2013, Molly Miller and Colton Haynes were passengers in a car chase with police when the driver allegedly turned onto a dead-end Oklahoma road. "I built some really good relationships with those kids," Eagan said. Miller enters the 2022-23 season with an .866 winning percentage, second highest among active Division I head coaches, .19 behind UConn's Geno Auriemma. 1 for every week of the Division II poll up until the NCAA tournament cancellation. Millers competitive fire that made her a Division II third-team All-American in 2008 has translated to coaching. Veteran forward Tiarra Brown, who enters her junior season and third under Miller, was selected to the Second Team and returns as the leading scorer for the Lopes with 9.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 2021-22. Her ability to draw crowds and excite fans certainly bodes well for her at GCU, considering it has one of the most celebrated student sections in all of college basketball. Drury has won the Great Lakes Valley Conference in four consecutive seasons (no team previously had won more than two in a row) as Miller went 105-5 in conference play (55-0 at home) over her six-year tenure. "I'm super-competitive," Miller said. In what could have been seen as a questionable decision led her to land the head coaching position as the head coach of the No. Molly Miller has been hired to replace Nicole Powell as Grand Canyon's women's basketball coach. Drury Lady Panthers:All Molly Miller did in Springfield was win. This year's team was 32-0, 20-0 in GLVC Conference play. "Her basketball record is nothing short of incredible but even more important is who she is as a person. "I love this game and everything that is has given to me so I want to give back to it and my players so they can find as much joy and love for the game," Miller said. Sophomore transfer Aaliyah Collins was tabbed to the First Team after finishing third in the WAC in steals per game (2.52) in and fourth in steals (68) a season ago. GCU named Miller, 34, as its new head coach Tuesday after she posted an astounding 180-17 record over the past six years at her alma mater, Drury Univeristy in Springfield, Missouri. Miller posted an astounding 180-17 record over six years at her alma mater, Drury. Under Miller, Drury became the first Great Lakes Valley Conference program to win four consecutive titles and went 105-5 in conference play (55-0 at home) over her six-year tenure. All the while, she put an emphasis on her players being students first, learning life skills and acting as community stewards. NCAA Tournament. The Lady Panthers became the first team in GLVC history to win three league titles in a row and were the first team ever to go unbeaten during the regular season and win the conference tournament in the same year. Member News Now that you have a little background on Coach Miller, its time to get to know the person behind all that success. I'm just a relationship coach.". "I couldn't be more appreciative of her and everything she's done for me.". Molly Miller is in her sixth season as the Lady Panthers head coach. If an undefeated mark does not state Drurys dominance under Miller enough, the Panthers also led Division II in scoring margin for the past two seasons, winning by an average of 27.9 points per game in 2018-19 and an average of 28.5 points per game this season. Miller's hustle-oriented teams defend with the intensity and trapping that was her trademark as a player. Bray started to gather a shortlistjust in case someone hired Miller away. Drury has won the Great Lakes Valley Conference in four consecutive seasons (no team previously had won more than two in a row) as Miller went 105-5 in conference play (55-0 at home) over her six-year tenure. All the while, she has put an emphasis on her players being students first, learning life skills and acting as community stewards. Millers hustle-oriented teams defend with the intensity and trapping that was her trademark as a player. In two seasons in Phoenix, Millers high-pressure defense and up-tempo offense has seen GCU rank nationally in steals per game and turnovers forced per game. Her basketball record is nothing short of incredible but even more important is who she is as a person. PHOENIX, Ariz. (KY3) - Grand Canyon University head basketball coach Molly Miller made her name in Springfield. 14 Ohio State, Aggies Stumble in Home Tilt Versus UT Arlington, Tyler McCliment-Call Ties Her Season-High with 17 points as the Ladyjacks Fly Past the Redhawks, WEEK AT A GLANCE: WBB hosts Bearkats, MBB heads to West Coast for WAC play, Men's Tennis Defeats Oral Roberts in Tight Match, CBUs Harper to Represent WAC as Member of NCAA Womens Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group, WAC Announces Academic All-WAC Honorees for Spring 2020 Sports, Freshmen and Transfers, Tiffany Sardin to be Next Chicago State Head Women's Basketball Coach, WAC Board Announces Adjustments to Basketball Tournament Eligibility, Grand Canyons Holland Named Her Hoops Stats Fab 15 Freshman, WAC Announces Academic All-WAC Honorees for 2020 Winter Sports, Molly Miller Named Grand Canyon Head Women's Basketball Coach, WAC Announces Cancellation of Basketball Tournament, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - March 10, TicketSmarter WAC Womens Basketball Player of the Week Announced, WAC Women's Basketball Postseason Honorees Announced, 2020 Hercules Tires WAC Womens Basketball Tournament Bracket Announced, WAC Statement on Chicago State, Kansas City Basketball Cancellations, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - March 3, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Feb. 25, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Feb. 18, Hercules Tires Named Title Sponsor of WAC Basketball Tournament, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Feb. 11, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Feb. 4, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Jan. 28, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Jan. 21, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Jan. 14, NM State at Kansas City Womens Basketball Game Rescheduled Due to Weather, TicketSmarter Named Presenting Sponsor of WAC Basketball Tournament, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Jan. 7, WAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Announced, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Dec. 31, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Dec. 24, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Dec . Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. I think we can make a big splash. GCU offers new residence halls, amenities, academic buildings and state-of-the-art athletic facilities on campus, student support resources, dynamic online classrooms, innovative learning experiences and more. As head coach of the Drury Lady Panthers for six seasons, Miller compiled a 180-17 record - making her the winningest active coach with at least five years of experience - in all . GCU named Miller, 34, as its new head coach Tuesday after she posted an astounding 180-17 record over . Molly Miller exits Drury with a career record of 180-17, By: Ed Beach, Assistant AD for External Affairs/Media Relations, Make a Gift (Basketball Benefits Included), TicketSmarter - Official Ticket Resale Partner, Molly Miller's letter to the Drury Community, Link to Grand Canyon University news release, Lady Panthers escape quarterfinals scare from Quincy, Top seeded Lady Panthers open GLVC Tournament vs Quincy, Thur., 6 pm, Amy Eagan named GLVC Coach of the Year; Moore is Defensive Player of the Year; Schaaf named Freshman of the Year; four selected as All-GLVC, Lady Panthers remain at number two in national poll, .914 winning percentage leads all of NCAA women's basketball, Led the team to 54 straight home wins (2016-current), the second-longest home-court winning streak in NCAA-II, Was 55-0 at home in the GLVC during her career, NCAA-II Coach of the Year (WBCA) 2020 and 2019, 2020 NCAA-II Coach of the Year (World Exposure Report), 2020 NCAA-II Coach of the Year (HoopDirt.com), Number One national ranking for all 16 weeks of the NCAA-II coaches' poll, Nationally ranked in the NCAA-II Top 25 for 111 straight weeks, the longest such streak in the nation, and ranked in the Top 10 for 48 consecutive weeks, Won five GLVC championships in her six years (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), Won six GLVC regular season titles (West Division in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018; finished first as a one-division league in 2019 and 2020), Made NCAA-II tournament in all six of seasons (advanced to regional finals in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019), Advanced to NCAA-II national semifinals in 2019, Coached the NCAA-II Player of the Year twice (, Had 19 players named All-GLVC, with 12 players named First Team All-GLVC, Had one GLVC Player of the Year (Hailey Diestlkamp, 2020), Had two GLVC Freshman of the Year winners (, Had three named GLVC Defensive Player of the Year (, Inducted into Drury Sports Hall of Fame, 2012. The 2021-22 season concluded in the WNIT first round, the first WNIT berth for the Lopes in program history. Facebook gives people the power to. In her Drury playing career, her teams went 112-18 (.862). Her leadership capabilities and strong faith background make her an ideal representative of the University.. Her leadership capabilities and strong faith background make her an ideal representative of the University." Eagan played college basketball at Truman State and was a four-time all-conference selection in the MIAA. Miller is the new head women's basketball coach of Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Thats going to be our goal and I think we can do it at GCU.. In 2020-21, GCU ranked second nationally for steals (13.4 per game) and turnover margin (plus-8.4 per game) while also coming in fourth for turnovers forced (23.3 per game). She already was mastering dribbling and finishing with either hand and progressed into a player who won two state championships at Kickapoo High School, where her teams went 109-9 (.924). Growing up in Springfield as Molly Carter, she found her love of basketball at age 8 as a ball girl for national power Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State). Thursday, Marian McConnell released a statement via Facebook. Make a Gift (Basketball Benefits Included), TicketSmarter - Official Ticket Resale Partner, 5 NCAA-II tournaments, 4GLVCchampionships, Note- no divisional play in the GLVC in 2018-19. Her basketball record is nothing short of incredible but even more important is who she is as a person. A year later, Bray had to use that list but he didn't have to look far. The Panthers have guarded opponents from baseline to baseline and led Division II with 30.8 turnovers forced per game this season. Miller was also named the national coach of the year and her name was already floating around for Division I openings. Head Coach Molly Miller (joined by Cy and Crosby) speaks with the media after GCU Women's Basketball defeats Seattle 80-64.Grand Canyon University, Arizona's. To this day, shes the most competitive person Ive ever been around, her Drury coach, now-George Mason head coach Nyla Milleson, once told the Springfield News-Leader. She will enter the 2019-20 owning the best winning percentage among head coaches in all of NCAA-II women's basketball. Her Panthers teams held a stunning 67-1 mark over her last two seasons at her hometown university in Springfield, Missouri. Player Season Finder . 1 every week in the Division II poll. Play Index. 0:04 0:33 Molly Miller has known two things her entire basketball career: winning and doing it in Springfield. The Molly Miller coaching debut for Grand Canyon women's basketball will not come until the fall but the Lopes' new head coach has no problem describing what fans will see on the court and the sideline. Her teams were top-5 in the nation in five different defensive statistical categories. 3,319 followers. Drury will also start '19-20 season with a 40-game . She took a pay cut to return to Drury as an assistant coach for two seasons before being elevated to interim head coach, a title that lost the interim tag after a 7-2 start. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. "Given the unbelievable success Coach Miller has experienced on the basketball court, we are incredibly excited about the future of the women's basketball program," GCU President Brian Mueller said. Under Miller, Drury became the first Great Lakes Valley Conference program to win four consecutive titles and went 105-5 in conference play (55-0 at home) over her six-year tenure. Miller is joined in Phoenix by her. 17, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Dec. 10, WAC Basketball Tournament All-Session Tickets On Sale Now, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Dec. 3, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Nov. 26, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Nov. 19, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Nov. 12, This Week in WAC Women's Basketball - Nov. 4, WAC Announces Basketball Preview Show, Spotlight Game Schedules, WAC Media Select NM State, Mattingly as Preseason Favorites, WAC Coaches Select NM State, Pack as Preseason Favorites. She took a pay cut to return to Drury as an assistant coach for two seasons before being elevated to interim head coach, a title that lost the interim tag after a 7-2 start. Years later, she became the school's head coach. Were going to be very family-oriented at GCU. The Lady Panthers became the first team in GLVC history to win three league titles in a row and were the first team ever to go unbeaten during the regular season and win the conference tournament in the same year. Visit gcu.edu She mastered dribbling and finishing with either hand and progressed into a player who won two state championships at Kickapoo High School, where her teams went 109-9 (.924). Last month, Women's Basketball Coaches Association Executive Director Danielle Donehew called Miller "a rising star" after her peers named her the Division II Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. "I am very excited," Eagan said during a Zoom press conference with members of the media. The .914 winning percentage tops any active Division I, II or III men's or women's basketball head coach with at least five years of experience and includes a stunning 67-1 mark over the past two seasons. Drury has been ranked in the Division II top 25 for a nation-leading 111 consecutive weeks. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Molly is a rising star, Womens Basketball Coaches Association Executive Director Danielle Donehew said after her peers gave her consecutive Division II Coach of the Year honors. She ranks fourth in program history for career points (1,570), third for assists (439) and second for steals (407). If an undefeated mark does not state Drury's dominance under Miller enough, the Panthers also led Division II in scoring margin for the past two seasons, winning by an average of 27.9 points per game in 2018-19 and an average of 28.5 points per game this season. Drury has been a Division II power since Miller played there (2004-08) as a 5-foot-6 point guard who started for four seasons. She ranks fourth in program history for career points (1,570), third for assists (439) and second for steals (409). Drury has been a Division II power since Miller played there (2004-08) as a 5-foot-6 point guard who started for four seasons. In turn, her teams have played uptempo, player-predicated motion offense that averaged 90.2 points per game this season. She ranks fourth in program history for career points (1,570), third for assists (439) and second for steals (409). Miller left Drury with a career record of 180-17 and her .914 winning percentage is the best mark in program history and leads all active women's basketball coaches at all levels of the NCAA. She ranks fourth in program history for career points (1,570), third for assists (439) and second for steals (407). From 2004 to 2008, Miller played at Drury as a 5-foot-6 point guard and four-year starter. She took a pay cut to return to Drury as an assistant coach for two seasons before being elevated to Panthers interim head coach, a title that lost the "interim" tag after a 7-2 start. Her basketball record is nothing short of incredible but even more important is who she is as a person. After six seasons leading the Drury University women's basketball program, Molly Miller has accepted the head coaching position at Grand Canyon University, an NCAA Division I program in Phoenix, Arizona, and a member of the Western Athletic Conference. Grand Canyon University head coach Molly Miller joins the Basketball Podcast to discuss full-court pressure and playing uptempo.Miller holds the highest care.