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. Courtesy Paul Coro, Grand Canyon Athletic Communications. All the while, she put an emphasis on her players being students first, learning life skills and acting as community stewards. I am thrilled coach Eagan will be taking the helm at Drury, and I sincerely wish her the best of luck. The 17-year-old girl's family is still searching for justice. 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. We cannot wait for her and her family to arrive in Phoenix and join the GCU community.. Drury was ranked in the Division II top 25 for a nation-leading 111 consecutive weeks. 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. 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 . Miller is considered the top NCAA Division II women's coach in the . Her basketball record is nothing short of incredible but even more important is who she is as a person. Drury is coming off a 32-0 season that ended abruptly because of the NCAA Tournament's cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic. In turn, her teams have played uptempo, player-predicated motion offense that averaged 90.2 points per game this season. In her spare time, she loved to read and write. Facebook gives people the power to. "We will have to give each other virtual hugs for now, but soon we'll be high-fiving each other on the court after a Lopes win," Miller said. 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. 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). She ranks fourth in program history for career points (1,570), third for assists (439) and second for steals (409). On the court, Coach Miller is all about pressure defense. I have had the privilege to get to know President Mueller and the athletic director, Jamie Boggs, in the recent days, and the enthusiasm of these incredible leaders certainly helped solidify my decision, Miller said. Her Panthers teams held a stunning 67-1 mark over her last two seasons at her hometown university in Springfield, Missouri. Her teams had a winning season in all six seasons while winning 20 or more games three times. 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. NCAA Tournament. 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. The Panthers have guarded opponents from baseline to baseline and led Division II with 30.8 turnovers forced per game this season. 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. "I couldn't be more appreciative of her and everything she's done for me.". Her basketball record is nothing short of incredible but even more important is who she is as a person. Drury announced Amy Eagan would be promoted to the head coaching position after she spent one year as an assistant coach. 2023 www.news-leader.com. She ranks fourth in program history for career points (1,570), third for assists (439) and second for steals (409). Her combined high school and college record as a player was 221-27. 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). We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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. 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. 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. You can also sign up for his free "Bears Beat" newsletter by subscribing on News-Leader.com. 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 accepted the position in April at the Division I school. She challenges them on the court, invests in their lives off the court and keeps an open-door policy to form long-term relationships. 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. Now it's time for her to win somewhere else. Well have an exciting brand of basketball to play.. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The competitive fire of a 2008 Division II third-team All-American has translated to coaching. 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. "I'm excited to hit the ground running and meet those kids and love them like family. Millers hustle-oriented teams defend with the intensity and trapping that was her trademark as a player. 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. 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. HomeBusiness NewsMolly Miller brings winningest college coaching record to GCU. "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. 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.". 1 every week in the Division II poll. Getting to know the kids outside of just basketball I just think those things are really, really important. We cannot wait for her and her family to arrive in Phoenix and join the GCU community." Molly Miller is in her sixth season as the Lady Panthers head coach. PHOENIX, Ariz. (KY3) - Grand Canyon University head basketball coach Molly Miller made her name in Springfield. Her teams were top-5 in the nation in five different defensive statistical categories. 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. 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. College Basketball Scores. Miller and her husband, Derek, have two children, Crosby and Cy. 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. 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. Miller recruits players with a similar hunger to win and work to improve. GCU President Brian Mueller and Athletic Director Jamie Boggs tapped former Drury University head coach Molly Miller to take over the GCU womens basketball program on April 7, 2020. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Eagan's Truman State team won the Great Lakes Valley Conference title in her first season in 2013-14 and she finished her career as the program's all-time leader in coaching wins with a record of. We're going to be very family-oriented at GCU. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 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 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). Follow. All the while, she put an emphasis on her players being students first, learning life skills and acting as community stewards. "I built some really good relationships with those kids," Eagan said. 580 following. In her final season at Truman State, the Bulldogs finished with a 23-8 record marking the program's best season in 47 years. She inherits a team from Nicole Powell that went 15-12 . In her Drury playing career, her teams went 112-18 (.862). Visit gcu.edu 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 work ethic and loyalty are unmatched, and her outstanding character sets the bar high. GCU finished third in the country in steals per game (12.6), steals (404) and 10th in turnovers forced (21.72) a season ago. 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. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Miller just completed her fifth season as the Lady Panthers head coach and her teams have gone 148-17. Eagan played college basketball at Truman State and was a four-time all-conference selection in the MIAA. Thats going to be our goal and I think we can do it at GCU.. Drury will also start '19-20 season with a 40-game . 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 super-competitive," Miller said. The 2021-22 season concluded in the WNIT first round, the first WNIT berth for the Lopes in program history. Im super-competitive, Miller said. Her winning record as a player and a former head coach is impressive. Her leadership capabilities and strong faith background make her an ideal representative of the University.. Im excited to hit the ground running and meet those kids and love them like family. Her leadership capabilities and strong faith background make her an ideal representative of the University." Thursday, Marian McConnell released a statement via Facebook. "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. Grand Canyon University head coach Molly Miller joins the Basketball Podcast to discuss full-court pressure and playing uptempo.Miller holds the highest care. She has tremendous character, is passionate about her faith and will be a wonderful leader for our student-athletes. Miller took over the Division 1 program at Grand Canyon in 2020. Miller is joined in Phoenix by her husband, Derek, and their two children, Crosby and Cy. "She has tremendous character, is passionate about her faith and will be a wonderful leader for our student-athletes. 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. 0:04 0:33 Molly Miller has known two things her entire basketball career: winning and doing it in Springfield. Miller's competitive fire that made her a Division II third-team All-American in 2008 has translated to coaching. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). Miller is the new head women's basketball coach of Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. 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, Arizonas premier, private Christian university, helps students find their purpose with next- generation education, including over 200 academic programs with over 150 online programs. 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. 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. That's going to be our goal and I think we can do it at GCU." The entertaining style and success have made Drury one of the top Division II draws, ranking third in attendance last season at 1,768 fans per game despite only having 1,500 undergraduate students on campus and competing for Ozarks basketball fans with Missouri State. She will enter the 2019-20 owning the best winning percentage among head coaches in all of NCAA-II women's basketball. Her .914 winning percentage at Drury was the top mark among active NCAA basketball coaches, regardless of gender or division. 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. 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. "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. 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. In her Drury playing career, her teams went 112-18 (.862). 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.". And at Drury, her teams led the nation in scoring margin her final two seasons, winning by 27.9 and 28.5 points per game, respectively. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Miller enters the 2022-23 season with an .866 winning percentage, second highest among active Division I head coaches, .19 behind UConns Geno Auriemma. 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. 1988 Men's NCAA, 2019 Women's NCAA, 1940 Men's NCAA, 2006 Women's NCAA, 1981 Men's NCAA. Millers competitive fire that made her a Division II third-team All-American in 2008 has translated to coaching. 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. Passion. 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. https://gculopes.com/news/2020/4/7/womens-basketball-miller-takes-gcu-helm-as-elite-winner.aspx. Miller holds the highest career winning percentage (.892) of any NCAA men's or women's basketball coach . 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 was also named the national coach of the year and her name was already floating around for Division I openings. "Her basketball record is nothing short of incredible but even more important is who she is as a person. Founded, monitored, and run by college coaches. Her Panthers teams held a stunning 67-1 mark over her last two seasons at her hometown university in Springfield, Missouri. Miller enters the 2022-23 season with an .866 winning percentage, second highest among active Division I head coaches, .19 behind UConns Geno Auriemma.