DII women's basketball: Drury's Molly Miller named 2020 WBCA National 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. 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 statement reveals Molly Miller took her own life, and now her family and friends are left asking why, saying "There was not a single sign that anything was wrong or bothering her.". 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. Molly Miller Mother "She Took Her Own Life" - TheCount.com "I have all the faith in the world that this will be a very easy transition for the program and the kids and that we can continue what we have done with the expectations for this program and then do those things even better.". Molly Miller - Women's Basketball Coach - Grand Canyon University Athletics She challenges them on the court, invests in their lives off the court and keeps an open-door policy to form long-term relationships. Former Springfield & Drury star Molly Miller having success in Arizona 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. Visit gcu.edu Her work ethic and loyalty are unmatched, and her outstanding character sets the bar high. HomeBusiness NewsMolly Miller brings winningest college coaching record to GCU. Miller posted an astounding 180-17 record over six years at her alma mater, Drury. At GCU, Miller has compiled a 40-17 (.702) overall record and a 22-8 (.733) conference mark while solidifying GCU Arena as one of the toughest places to play with a 24-4 (.857) record at home. Off the court, Miller preaches about the importance of culture and comradery. 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. She will enter the 2019-20 owning the best winning percentage among head coaches in all of NCAA-II women's basketball. Molly Miller - Women's Basketball Coach - Grand Canyon University Athletics 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. Drury announced Amy Eagan would be promoted to the head coaching position after she spent one year as an assistant coach. GCU named Miller, 34, as its new head coach Tuesday after she posted an astounding 180-17 record over . 2019 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. 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). UNLV 77, Duke 79, Kentucky 103, Duke 104, Notre Dame 91, UConn 89, Texas A&M 63, Stanford 62. Now that you have a little background on Coach Miller, its time to get to know the person behind all that success. 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 on the side. 1 every week in the Division II poll. If you havent heard about GCUs new womens basketball coach yet, then here is a summary of her resume. Molly Miller Post Game | Feb.27 vs Seattle - YouTube Molly Miller agrees to three-year contract extension with Drury Drury was ranked in the Division II top 25 for a nation-leading 111 consecutive weeks. She was able to overcome adversity and utilize modern technology and other unorthodox recruiting techniques to help sell the dream of GCU womens basketball during her first offseason in Division I. 2023 Western Athletic Conference. 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. Now it's time for her to win somewhere else. "I love the relationship part of it. 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. 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. I think we can make a big splash. Passion. Miller recruits players with a similar hunger to win and work to improve. All the while, she has put an emphasis on her players being students first, learning life skills and acting as community stewards. Drury won by 27.9 points per game in 2018-19 and 28.5 per game in 2019-20. Copyright 2023 AZ Big Media | All Rights Reserved | Site by Blufish, PNC survey shows small business owners see bright future, Ranking Arizona: Top 10 mechanical contractors for 2023, Goodyear takes next steps to make new downtown a reality. In the midst of global chaos, Grand Canyon University made a tremendous hire that might have been overshadowed by the events of 2020. Grand Canyon's aspirations to rise in Division I women's 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mo.. 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). 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. Molly Miller is in her sixth season as the Lady Panthers head coach. 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. 3,319 Followers, 580 Following, 584 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Molly Miller (@coach_mollymiller) coach_mollymiller. 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. In her spare time, she loved to read and write. Coach Molly Miller (@MollyMiller33) / Twitter "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. Her leadership capabilities and strong faith background make her an ideal representative of the University." 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). She and her husband Derek share a little about what it's like to balance coaching a college basketball team and raising two children.Grand Canyon University, Arizonas premier, private Christian university, helps students find their purpose with next- generation education, including over 270 academic programs with over 200 online programs. "She carries herself with class and poise, and I was so proud to have her by my side last year. 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 on the side. "To this day, she's the most competitive person I've ever been around," her Drury coach, now-George Mason head coach Nyla Milleson, once told theSpringfield News-Leader. Miller holds the highest career winning percentage (.892) of any NCAA men's or women's basketball coach . She accepted the position in April at the Division I school. NCAA Tournament. Her Drury teams as a player went 112-18 (.862). Drury will also start '19-20 season with a 40-game . Well have an exciting brand of basketball to play.. Miller enters the 2022-23 season with an .866 winning percentage, second highest among active Division I head coaches, .19 behind UConns Geno Auriemma. All the while, she put an emphasis on her players being students first, learning life skills and acting as community stewards. 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. Molly Miller | SicEm365 ATLANTA Molly Miller, head coach at Drury University, has been named the 2020 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year, the Women's Basketball Coaches . She guided Drury to the Division II Final Four last year and a 32-0 record this season, when she put the Panthers at No. 2020 40 Under 40: Molly Miller, 34 | Springfield Business Journal All Molly Miller did in Springfield was win. Miller is joined in Phoenix by her. Molly Miller named Head Women's Basketball Coach at Grand Canyon Miller recruits players with a similar hunger to win and work to improve. Millers teams defend with the intensity and trapping that was her trademark as a player. https://gculopes.com/news/2020/4/7/womens-basketball-miller-takes-gcu-helm-as-elite-winner.aspx. Miller and her husband, Derek, are raising a 3-year-old daughter, Crosby, and a 3-month-old son, Cy. Instead of continuing on as the Truman State head coach, she decided to leave to become an assistant at Drury. Molly Miller (@coach_mollymiller) Instagram photos and videos 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. 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). 8h A special thank you message to our Havocs, cheerleaders, dance team and band Your support means the world to us, and to the seniors of these groups, best of luck on your future endeavors! The .914 winning percentage tops any active Division I, II or III mens or womens basketball head coach with at least five years of experience and includes a stunning 67-1 mark over the past two seasons. Eagan played college basketball at Truman State and was a four-time all-conference selection in the MIAA. Both Mueller and Boggs raved about Millers character and leadership upon hiring her last year, and it already shows during her short time here in the Valley. Founded, monitored, and run by college coaches. From 2004 to 2008, Miller played at Drury as a 5-foot-6 point guard and four-year starter. 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. 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. Jody Adams-Birch takes over at New Mexico State, NM State will not renew the contract of WBB Head Coach Atkinson, OFFICIAL: Gottlieb added to Grand Canyon WBB staff, Graduate Assistant Lawrence Technological University, Head Womens Basketball Coach Defiance College, Head Womens Basketball Coach University of Wisconsin River Falls. Drury. She was studying to become a nurse. 1 for every week of the Division II poll up until the NCAA tournament cancellation. She also served as a head coach at NAIA St. Ambrose in Davenport, Iowa, from 2005-07. Now it's time for her to win somewhere else. Miller builds program on, off court - Grand Canyon University Athletics 1988 Men's NCAA, 2019 Women's NCAA, 1940 Men's NCAA, 2006 Women's NCAA, 1981 Men's NCAA. On the court, Coach Miller is all about pressure defense. The competitive fire of a 2008 Division II third-team All-American has translated to coaching. Bray started to gather a shortlistjust in case someone hired Miller away. 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. Her Panthers teams held a stunning 67-1 mark over her last two seasons at her hometown university in Springfield, Missouri. On the heels of Mother's Day, GCU Women's Basketball Head Coach Molly Miller shares a glimpse inside her family. 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). If an undefeated mark does not state Drurys dominance under Miller enough, the Panthers also led Division II in scoring margin for her last two seasons there. On the heels of Mother's Day, GCU Women's Basketball Head Coach Molly Miller shares a glimpse inside her family. Molly Miller named Coach of the Year | KOLR - OzarksFirst.com "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." Millers hustle-oriented teams defend with the intensity and trapping that was her trademark as a player. Millers competitive fire that made her a Division II third-team All-American in 2008 has translated to coaching. This exciting style of basketball led Drury to the third-highest average attendance (1,768) in Division II during her final season, despite only having 1,500 undergraduate students on campus and competing with crosstown rivals Missouri State. At GCU, Miller has compiled a 40-17 (.702) overall record and a 22-8 (.733) conference mark while solidifying GCU Arena as one of the toughest places to play with a 24-4 (.857) record at home. Her leadership capabilities and strong faith background make her an ideal representative of the University.. 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Her winning record as a player and a former head coach is impressive. 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 . The Basketball Podcast: EP186 with Molly Miller on Pressing - YouTube The virtuosic Molly Miller on her magical 335 and guitar becoming a Her Panthers teams held a stunning 67-1 mark over her last two seasons at her hometown university in Springfield, Missouri. Theres no doubt that Coach Miller is bringing a ton of excitement to the GCU athletic program, so if you havent been paying attention to Antelopes basketball, it might be time to jump on the bandwagon. "This was a place that I felt like I could take my career if she happened to leave. Eagan will have some big shoes to fill as she tries to replace someone who was turning into a bit of a Springfield women's basketball icon before her departure. 1 every week in the Division II poll. Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. Molly Miller brings winningest college coaching record to GCU All the while, she put an emphasis on her players being students first, learning life skills and acting as community stewards. "I couldn't be more appreciative of her and everything she's done for me.". #LopesUp 0:43 1K views GCU Havocs and 3 others Coach Molly Miller Retweeted Miller was quoted in the university's press release saying: Amy Eagan is a perfect fit to become the next head coach of the Drury University Lady Panthers. 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's hustle-oriented teams defend with the intensity and trapping that was her trademark as a player. "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. Episode 186: Molly Miller, Full-Court Pressure and Playing Uptempo. Molly Miller - Head Coach, Women's Basketball - Women's Basketball Molly Miller - Women's Basketball Coach - Grand Canyon University Athletics 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. The determination of her and her coaching staff directly resulted in their ability to sign an exciting freshmen class, as well as a few notable transfers, site unseen. 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 .914 winning percentage at Drury was the top mark among active NCAA basketball coaches, regardless of gender or division. Molly Miller and Colt Haynes Vanish in the Night After High - Medium 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, . The team that won its fourth-straight GLVC title just this past season got its wish. Member News A year later, Bray had to use that list but he didn't have to look far. 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. In this week's coaching conversation, Grand Canyon University head coach Molly Miller joins the Basketball Podcast to discuss full-court pressure and playing uptempo. Molly Miller named head coach at Grand Canyon University You can also sign up for his free "Bears Beat" newsletter by subscribing on News-Leader.com. 1 for every week of the Division II poll up until the NCAA tournament cancellation. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. At every step, she has been a determined winner. She became a star at Drury University. Drury has been ranked in the Division II top 25 for a nation-leading 111 consecutive weeks.