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As Molly Miller was introduced as the newest Sun Devils’ women’s basketball head coach, Arizona State University President Michael Crow opened the press conference with a telling anecdote about the function of college sports.
“I just was with some leaders of a German university, and they, of course, will often ask you, ‘What is this thing about sports in the United States? What is this all about? Why do we do this?'” Crow said. “And I said that in American institutions, the idea of competition is embedded in the colleges and the universities in a way which it intends to find a way to be reflective of the entire society.
“Can you take young people who are students, can you take these students who are studying for their advancement in their life, bring them together at the beginning of the peak of their athletic life, and can you get them to compete at the highest level possible? That’s what it’s all about.”
It set the tone for much of the rest of the press conference: the idea that Miller is the right woman to restore women’s hoops at ASU back to the glory days of the 2000’s and reignite a fanbase the way coaches Kenny Dillingham and Greg Powers (who were both in attendance) have for football and hockey respectively at the school.
Go Devils!
Right out of the gate, it was immediately clear the enthusiasm Miller and the Sun Devils had for each other. In a packed room at Papago Golf Club, a portion of the ASU band and cheerleading squad ushered in the new head coach to the school’s fight song. After some introductory words from Crow and Athletic Director Graham Rossini, it was finally Miller’s turn to speak.
“Wooh! Seriously, is it the season yet?” Miller said to start off. “I cannot wait. I am humbled, I am honored, and I am grateful to be your next women’s basketball coach at Arizona State.”
Arizona State Athletics gave her plenty of reason to feel this way. In addition to Dillingham and Powers, men’s basketball coach Bobby Hurley and Pat Brock, the widow of former ASU baseball coach Jim Brock, were in attendance.
Most symbolically, however, was Charli Turner Thorne’s appearance, the winningest women’s basketball coach in ASU history. Miller talked about the influence Turner Thorne has already had in helping her get acquainted with her new job.
“There was three things that I asked her to do, and she was willing and able, as I’m going through this hiring process,” Miller said. “I said, ‘Can you make some reference calls for me?’ And she did that. And then I asked her, ‘Could you group text me with some of the alums?’ And so we’ve been in a group chat, and I’ve already gotten to know so many alumni that have poured their heart and soul into this program. And then I asked her if she could send some voice memos with recruiting nuggets that I could use. At night, I lay down and listen to CTT right before I go to bed.”
At the conclusion of the press conference, Miller and Turner Thorne shared an embrace then flashed the forks up sign for the frenzy of cameras ahead of them.
When there’s no wind in your sail, row
Very rarely does a team come out of the blue and become contenders at the snap of a finger. For a team that hasn’t made the tournament since 2019, it’s going to be an uphill climb. But already, Miller is looking to get ahead of the game.
“I was watching Kenny’s interview and he was summing what this year was going to be and made a comment that a sailboat doesn’t sail on yesterday’s wind. And I was thinking, What would our theme or quote be for next year?” Miller asked herself. “I started thinking about the sailboat theme and I came up with what I’m trying to revive a program and generate excitement. When there’s no wind in your sail, row. We’re going to row. We’re going to hit the ground running, we’re going to work hard and we’re going to row.”
Miller’s plan is to install a “gritty” and passionate team, led by energy and effort, especially on the defensive end of the court. She wants to install a next woman up mentality, making it known the person next to you’s needs are more important than your own. This new iteration of Sun Devil basketball will have an emphasis on a holistic team first culture showcasing the importance of teamwork and its profound impact on winning basketball.
“I’m going to build this thing on rock, not sand,” Miller said.
In order to build up, you have to start with a solid foundation, and for her, that involves getting players from the Valley to stick around the area and not head to other traditional women’s basketball powerhouses. To do this, Miller plans on recruiting them early in their high school careers.
“By the time that their junior season comes and they’re ready to make a decision, they’ve already had three years of Arizona State, coach Miller, every staff member at their games cheering them on, and they feel that ownership and pride in representing their state,” Miller said.
By making such additions to the team, she feels it can translate to all aspects of competition and fan engagement.
“I want to make a meaningful impact on the court and off the court,” Miller said. “I want to be elite, elite in the classroom. I want to be elite in the pursuit of authentic competition and championships. I want to be elite when we engage with the community and our fans.”
Emphasis on the engaging with fans part. Miller said she wants to hold an open practice so fans can watch the team up close, she wants to engage with fans before and after games and bring a brand to the women’s team that fans can feel proud of.
“I wanna rally and do a little huddle jump with you after games, I wanna meet you before games, I wanna invite you into practices,” Miller proudly said. “I want you to feel ownership. I want you to be a part of this. So I can’t wait to ingrain myself in the student body and have you all come see a fun brand of basketball, but something you’re going to be really, really proud of.”
And she’s already got the approval of former ASU star and NBA MVP-winner James Harden.
Bringing Miller in
After dismissing former coach Natasha Adair, Rossini knew he had to get ahead of the curve in trying to bring Miller to ASU. After an exemplary 32-3 season at Grand Canyon, Miller was highly sought after by teams looking for a new leader.
“We had set up an initial conversation one evening that was probably just to touch base and talk about our process and understanding what the next steps would be,” Rossini said. “We spent two plus hours on the phone, and it was a very fluid, natural, exciting conversation.”
The two sides quickly felt a mutual spark and connection based on their viewpoints of the world and how they envisioned the women’s basketball program making a similar leap the way many other ASU athletics have since Rossini has taken over. Plus, it didn’t hurt that Miller already lived in the area.
“I think the cherry on top was staying here and saving Graham on some relocation expenses,” Miller joked. “But honestly, it was the vision that sold me. I mean, I was going to be pretty picky for my next step if I was blessed to have one. And it was the vision and the commitment to athletics and women’s basketball that really made it clear that I belonged here.”
The 38-year-old brings a career 297-55 record from her six years at her alma mater Drury and at GCU with her to ASU, and a readily apparent enthusiasm for everything in life, saying she’s always hyped not from drinking coffee, but because it’s just who she is. She does enjoy a chai tea every now and again though.
“I told (Rossini), once I don’t drink coffee, this stuff runs through my veins, naturally, I drink chai teas, though, and in hand was a chai tea waiting for me. I’m like, ‘That’s a recruiting stunt I would have pulled!’ I just think there’s similarities in not only the work ethic, (but) the vision and the mission.”
Wednesday marked the start of the Molly Miller era for ASU, and whether the team is sailing through strong winds or having to row themselves to shore, rest assured Miller will do everything in her power to make women’s basketball at ASU the best it can possibly be.
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