On March 22, 2025, Molly Miller agreed to join Arizona State University as its next head coach of the women's basketball program. ASU hired a proven winner in Miller who guided Grand Canyon University to a 32-3 record last season which included a 30-game winning streak and GCU's first berth in the NCAA Women's Tournament.

Miller went 117-38 (.760) at GCU and overall is 297-55 (.845) at the collegiate level that also included 180 wins in six seasons at her alma mater (Drury), where she served as an assistant coach and was a four-year letterwinner.

Miller was the most sought after mid-major coach in America with numerous SEC Universities and others seeking her services.

Molly and her husband, Derek have two children, Crosby and Cy.

Takeaways:

Positive Energy. For this, you simply need to take a look at Coach Miller's Instagram from the moment she took the job at Arizona State. She was simply everywhere – all the time. On campus. In the community. With current players. Former players and coaches. And more. I'm no expert on coming in to build a program, but I think it looks pretty much like this. And, as we discussed, she talked about how much fun she was having doing it all – it's hard not to follow a leader like this.
Culture – This is talked about a lot these days, but that doesn't lessen its importance. I like how Coach Miller referenced culture as being a brand of habits the entire team lives out every single day that should carry over every year. She also mentioned that it was something she could work on quickly upon taking the job. The wins she promised would come, but she could start working on culture immediately – and she clearly did just that. When you do it the way she describes - in genuine way…like a family…the need to recruit your own players lessens. As we discussed, you end up with happy players – who will stay.
CHARGE – What a great mantra and acronym that Coach Miller referenced as a foundation of her program. It's also fitting as she mentioned she loved the defensive side of the ball and taking charges is one of the toughest parts of that side. This one covers it all – Communication, Humility, Accountability, Respect, Gratitude, and the Energy, that Coach Miller takes to the next level. Again, this is a rock-solid foundation for Coach Miller's culture – and it sure seems to result in a lot of winning as well.
Leadership – Coach Miller's style – a firm hand with a gentle heart as she described it. This seems to be a great way to describe the way she empowers the team by giving them the chance to embrace the opportunity they have to make their own mark on the program so long as they "take CHARGE" as we just described. Do this and she'll have their backs the entire way. She'll listen and do all she can to make their ride as good as it can be for them as individuals and as a team.
Four pillars of the program – As a compliment to her CHARGE foundational theme, Coach Miller's 4 pillars further strengthen her program. The notions of teammate, manners, commitment, and communication – four non-negotiables that are essential for lasting success. I especially like the "manners matter" element. Manners really do matter – the seemingly little things of treating people all around you with good solid manners as we discussed – this is the "class" icing on the cake that will make all the winning truly last.
Culture check – I love how this is a part of Coach Miller's program. Teams can do all they want in terms of building a great culture, but if they don't keep everybody accountable to it on a consistent basis, it will fade and cracks in its foundation will develop. Coach Miller does a great job of not only pointing out when the team is getting sideways in terms of culture but also explaining why and how it's happening. And her question of "does your audio match your video" is a great one for all of us – are our words matching our actions? And are they both in alignment with our culture? This one is a good one not only for team culture but also for the individual standards we set for ourselves – are we living those standards we set for ourselves? What a great way to stay on track. Finally, on this point – Coach Miller mentioning another fantastic question – are you a drain or a faucet in terms of the team's culture. Great reminder to always be the faucet – be the one who ADDs to the culture. Never be the one who takes away, lessens or drains it.
0-0 Mentality. Coach Miller has clearly had a ton of success in her career so far. One of the main reasons is the way of she's able to maintain a sharp focus for her teams – even when the wins are stacking up - by challenging them to focus as if their record is 0-0. And I love how she mentioned that she is sure to coach them through this process – she makes sure she explains the way behind the method – which makes it much easier to follow. This is another great way to think BOTH in terms of a team as well as individually. On either level, you may be on a great streak – but there are always ways to improve. Celebrate wins? Yes. Then get right back to work as though your record is 0-0.

Links:

Website: https://sundevils.com/sports/womens/basketball

Instagram: @coach_mollymiller, @sundevilwbb

X: @MollyMiller33