Eagan played college basketball at Truman State and was a four-time all-conference selection in the MIAA. Millers teams defend with the intensity and trapping that was her trademark as a player. "I built some really good relationships with those kids," Eagan said. Drury announced Amy Eagan would be promoted to the head coaching position after she spent one year as an assistant coach. 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. 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. 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. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Follow. From 2004 to 2008, Miller played at Drury as a 5-foot-6 point guard and four-year starter. Miller led Kickapoo High School to a state championship. 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). Drury. 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. Her leadership capabilities and strong faith background make her an ideal representative of the University.. 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). https://gculopes.com/news/2020/4/7/womens-basketball-miller-takes-gcu-helm-as-elite-winner.aspx. If you havent heard about GCUs new womens basketball coach yet, then here is a summary of her resume. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. It was only a matter of time before she had to do it somewhere else. "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 AthleticsJamie Boggssaid. 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.". 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. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. GCU named Miller, 34, as its new head coach Tuesday after she posted an astounding 180-17 record over . 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. Miller and her husband, Derek, have two children, Crosby and Cy. The two have not been since since. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); HoopDirt is your source for the latest college basketball coaching news, rumors, and job postings. Her Panthers teams held a stunning 67-1 mark over her last two seasons at her hometown university in Springfield, Missouri. The two-time Division II Coach of the Year ended her Drury career with the D-II national runner-up in 2019 and an undefeated, top-ranked 2020 team when the national tournament was canceled because of COVID-19. 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. The Panthers have guarded opponents from baseline to baseline and led Division II with 30.8 turnovers forced per game this season. In turn, her teams have played uptempo, player-predicated motion offense that averaged 90.2 points per game this season. At every step, she has been a determined winner. "With the resources and the excitement behind the athletic program and specifically the women's basketball program, there's real momentum there. 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. Drury will also start '19-20 season with a 40-game . I think we can make a big splash. The 2021-22 season concluded in the WNIT first round, the first WNIT berth for the Lopes in program history. Drury was ranked in the Division II top 25 for a nation-leading 111 consecutive weeks. 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, . "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." 584 posts. Play Index. 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. Were going to be very family-oriented at GCU. Miller holds the highest career winning percentage (.892) of any NCAA men's or women's basketball coach . Im super-competitive, Miller said. Features The virtuosic Molly Miller on her magical 335 and guitar becoming a 'choice' A revered session musician and educator who's worked alongside major artists like Jason Mraz amongst others, Miller is one of the most accomplished guitar players in the industry. Miller's teams have played with frenetic energy to dominate in Division II and she exudes a similar intensity on the sideline. GCU finished third in the country in steals per game (12.6), steals (404) and 10th in turnovers forced (21.72) a season ago. "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.". Miller maintained Drury's tradition upon becoming head coach at age 28 and she ascended the program to reach the 2019 Division II Final Four and post a 32-0 record in 2019-20, when the Panthers were ranked No. We will have to give each other virtual hugs for now, but soon well be high-fiving each other on the court after a Lopes win, Miller said. Im excited to hit the ground running and meet those kids and love them like family. On the heels of Mother's Day, GCU Women's Basketball Head Coach Molly Miller shares a glimpse inside her family. READ ALSO:GCU freezes tuition for 13th year. 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. PHOENIX, Ariz.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. She ranks fourth in program history for career points (1,570), third for assists (439) and second for steals (407). 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. 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). Her .914 winning percentage at Drury was the top mark among active NCAA basketball coaches, regardless of gender or division. Miller's competitive fire that made her a Division II third-team All-American in 2008 has translated to coaching. All the while, she has put an emphasis on her players being students first, learning life skills and acting as community stewards. The 17-year-old girl's family is still searching for justice. She accepted the position in April at the Division I school. 1 team in the country. 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. At every step, she has been a determined winner. The Lopes were picked third in the WAC Preseason Coaches Poll with two on the preseason All-Conference team. 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. 1 for every week of the Division II poll up until the NCAA tournament cancellation. All Rights Reserved, 2023 Hercules Tires WAC Basketball Tournament, Lancers Down Lopes in Front of Sellout Crowd, Tennis set to open 2023 season versus Utah, Trip ends with 3-2 comeback win vs. No. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Miller was a three-time all conference player and MVP who led her team to 4 NCAA tournament appearances and a 112-18 record, was a three-time all-state player in HS, and led her team to 2 state championships and a record of 110-9 over four years. 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. She was also a hall of fame-worthy player at the program in addition to being a two-time state champion at Kickapoo. 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. 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. In her Drury playing career, her teams went 112-18 (.862). 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. 12 Apr 2019 News Drury University women's basketball head coach Molly Miller has agreed to terms with the institution on a contract extension that will run through the 2021-22 season. "I love the relationship part of it. Given the unbelievable success Coach Miller has experienced on the basketball court, we are incredibly excited about the future of the womens basketball program, GCU President Brian Mueller said at the time of her hiring. Thats going to be our goal and I think we can do it at GCU.. Drury Athletics Director Corey Bray saw what Molly Miller did a year ago and he knew he needed to start looking for a successor. 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. All the while, she put an emphasis on her players being students first, learning life skills and acting as community stewards. In her final season at Truman State, the Bulldogs finished with a 23-8 record marking the program's best season in 47 years. Over her six-year Drury career, Miller is 128-8. 2023 Western Athletic Conference. 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. 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. Millers teams defend with the intensity and trapping that was her trademark as a player. For the first time ever, her basketball career has taken her outside of Springfield, as she embarks on a new journey as head coach of the GCU Antelopes. The Lopes were picked third in the WAC Preseason Coaches Poll with two on the preseason All-Conference team. 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. "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. 3,319 Followers, 580 Following, 584 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Molly Miller (@coach_mollymiller) coach_mollymiller. 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. We're going to be very family-oriented at GCU. Join Facebook to connect with Molly Miller and others you may know. "I'm super-competitive," Miller said. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The Panthers have guarded opponents from baseline to baseline and led Division II with 30.8 turnovers forced per game this season. Miller went 180-17 in her eight years at her alma mater Drury in Springfield, Mo., the highest winning percentage for any NCAA D. II coach. She challenges them on the court, invests in their lives off the court and keeps an open-door policy to form long-term relationships. "I am very excited," Eagan said during a Zoom press conference with members of the media. The moment it all started "I started playing guitar when I was seven years old. 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). Drury won by 27.9 points per game in 2018-19 and 28.5 per game in 2019-20. For the first time ever, her basketball career has taken her outside of Springfield, as she embarks on a new journey as head coach of the GCU Antelopes. In her spare time, she loved to read and write. 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. Miller is considered the top NCAA Division II women's coach in the . 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. 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). Miller recruits players with a similar hunger to win and work to improve. 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. Miller enters the 2022-23 season with an .866 winning percentage, second highest among active Division I head coaches, .19 behind UConns Geno Auriemma.
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