Record-setting Drury coach accepts job in Arizona

Drury University head women's basketball coach Molly Miller is exiting Springfield to take a job in Arizona.

Over six seasons, Miller led the Lady Panthers to a 180-17 record. Her .914 winning percentage is the best in the program's history and leads all active women's basketball coaches in the NCAA, according to a news release. Miller was six wins short of Drury’s record for all-time coaching wins before the NCAA Division II tournament was canceled over the coronavirus. Nyla Milleson holds the record.

Miller, 34, is slated to take the head women's basketball coach position at Grand Canyon University, a Division I school.

"Today has been the epitome of a glad and sad day," Drury Vice President and Director of Athletics Corey Bray said in the release. "While I am happy for coach Miller and her family as they embark on an incredible opportunity at Grand Canyon University, I am sad to lose her as a part of the Drury Panthers family.

"She has been an integral part of the Springfield community her entire life, and she has been a profoundly impactful member of the Drury community as a student, an athlete and as a coach."

The Women's Basketball Coaches Association in 2019 and 2020 named Miller the U.S. Marine Corps/NCAA Division II Coach of the Year. She also was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference's Coach of the Year during the last two seasons. Springfield Business Journal in December announced Miller was among the honorees for the 2020 class of 40 Under 40.

Drury officials say they are immediately starting a national hiring search.

A Drury spokesperson declined to disclose Miller’s salary.