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Arizona State women’s basketball head coach Molly Miller is the “happiest person on the planet right now.”
“The first time I walked in here by myself, I took in that moment because I knew it was about to get frantic,” Miller said. “I work at a frantic pace, but this is what it’s all about for me. I want to win to the best of my ability, and I want to do everything and pour everything into this program so we can put more banners up.”
She’s had several days of workouts with her new team, which she’s assembled over the last two months. She’s seeing the early parts of her vision come together.
Miller was introduced as ASU’s coach on March 26, two days after the transfer portal opened, and quickly got to work. She’s since brought in seven transfers and one true freshman, while maintaining four returners.
“I think we got a pretty good track record when we become a school of choice,” Miller said.
Miller and her staff have hit the recruiting trail, talking with those in the 2026 and 2027 classes.
ASU, which hasn’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2019, underwent an extreme makeover that started with Miller taking over as the head coach following Natasha Adair’s three-year stint.
Meet ASU's team: Who's in, who's out for 2025-26
With a new team, Miller said she emphasized holding team meals after practices and doesn’t discuss basketball during those meals. She’s instead opted to talk about their personal lives and interests.
“That’s really important because to me, this is a family. I have their backs and I want them to have each other’s backs,” Miller said.
However, Miller won’t have to worry about a lack of experience. Nine of her 12 players are upperclassmen, including fifth-year players Gabby Elliott and Last-Tear Poa. Elliott averaged 13.6 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game in 29 games at Penn State. Poa had a limited role at LSU this season, but was on the national championship team in 2023.
“Initially, that experience is really helpful for me," Miller said. "I don’t have to spend as much time teaching. They’re pretty knowledgeable and have a high basketball IQ. “I want a good mix, and we’re going to go after freshmen to build your culture and your program. The ‘26 and ‘27 classes are really important for us, and we’re going to do that as time goes on. When you can splash in that experience, I think that just helps you get a leg up a little quicker than normal.”
Her recruiting skills extend beyond players. Miller managed to bring in Louisville associate head coach and former ASU player Stephanie Norman, who was reluctant to leave her 18-year tenure at the University of Louisville.
Norman helped the Cardinals earn 16 NCAA tournament berths, including eight Elite Eight and four Final Four appearances.
“She was coasting at Louisville," Miller said. "They’re a well-oiled machine. She told me 'no' twice, but I guess that makes me an OK recruiter. I was pretty persistent. I pulled on her heartstrings and said: Here’s my vision, here’s what I want. You can come full circle with this thing. You’re an (alumnus) and you can help me get it back to national prominence. Now she’s here and we’re working together to make everyone proud.”
Miller’s staff also includes associate coach Jason Glover, who worked with her at GCU for the last two seasons. Having a familiar face has eased her transition as she continues to learn her surroundings.
“It’s nice because we can finish each other’s sentences right now,” Miller said. “I’m telling you, it takes a whole year to learn Molly Miller terminology. It’s a little wacky, a little off-the-wall, but I think as a teaching tool, it’s helpful to have those people that know your brand, your style, your terminology in your corner from day one.”
Her team has yet to learn her terminology, but they're already learning her expectations. Miller wants to be a defense-first team and made it clear on the first day.
“They’re 100% bought in," Miller said. "I told them, 'You can’t just have this honeymoon stage for one week. We’re going to have to sustain this. It’s easy to have the juice week one, but can you build this and build habits where you love defense and you’re bought into it?'
"This group has been phenomenal. They’ve been awesome to coach and they’re just hanging on to every word.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What ASU women's basketball coach Molly Miller said about her 1st days
Continue reading...
“The first time I walked in here by myself, I took in that moment because I knew it was about to get frantic,” Miller said. “I work at a frantic pace, but this is what it’s all about for me. I want to win to the best of my ability, and I want to do everything and pour everything into this program so we can put more banners up.”
She’s had several days of workouts with her new team, which she’s assembled over the last two months. She’s seeing the early parts of her vision come together.
Miller was introduced as ASU’s coach on March 26, two days after the transfer portal opened, and quickly got to work. She’s since brought in seven transfers and one true freshman, while maintaining four returners.
“I think we got a pretty good track record when we become a school of choice,” Miller said.
Miller and her staff have hit the recruiting trail, talking with those in the 2026 and 2027 classes.
ASU, which hasn’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2019, underwent an extreme makeover that started with Miller taking over as the head coach following Natasha Adair’s three-year stint.
Meet ASU's team: Who's in, who's out for 2025-26
With a new team, Miller said she emphasized holding team meals after practices and doesn’t discuss basketball during those meals. She’s instead opted to talk about their personal lives and interests.
“That’s really important because to me, this is a family. I have their backs and I want them to have each other’s backs,” Miller said.
However, Miller won’t have to worry about a lack of experience. Nine of her 12 players are upperclassmen, including fifth-year players Gabby Elliott and Last-Tear Poa. Elliott averaged 13.6 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game in 29 games at Penn State. Poa had a limited role at LSU this season, but was on the national championship team in 2023.
“Initially, that experience is really helpful for me," Miller said. "I don’t have to spend as much time teaching. They’re pretty knowledgeable and have a high basketball IQ. “I want a good mix, and we’re going to go after freshmen to build your culture and your program. The ‘26 and ‘27 classes are really important for us, and we’re going to do that as time goes on. When you can splash in that experience, I think that just helps you get a leg up a little quicker than normal.”
Her recruiting skills extend beyond players. Miller managed to bring in Louisville associate head coach and former ASU player Stephanie Norman, who was reluctant to leave her 18-year tenure at the University of Louisville.
Norman helped the Cardinals earn 16 NCAA tournament berths, including eight Elite Eight and four Final Four appearances.
“She was coasting at Louisville," Miller said. "They’re a well-oiled machine. She told me 'no' twice, but I guess that makes me an OK recruiter. I was pretty persistent. I pulled on her heartstrings and said: Here’s my vision, here’s what I want. You can come full circle with this thing. You’re an (alumnus) and you can help me get it back to national prominence. Now she’s here and we’re working together to make everyone proud.”
Miller’s staff also includes associate coach Jason Glover, who worked with her at GCU for the last two seasons. Having a familiar face has eased her transition as she continues to learn her surroundings.
“It’s nice because we can finish each other’s sentences right now,” Miller said. “I’m telling you, it takes a whole year to learn Molly Miller terminology. It’s a little wacky, a little off-the-wall, but I think as a teaching tool, it’s helpful to have those people that know your brand, your style, your terminology in your corner from day one.”
Her team has yet to learn her terminology, but they're already learning her expectations. Miller wants to be a defense-first team and made it clear on the first day.
“They’re 100% bought in," Miller said. "I told them, 'You can’t just have this honeymoon stage for one week. We’re going to have to sustain this. It’s easy to have the juice week one, but can you build this and build habits where you love defense and you’re bought into it?'
"This group has been phenomenal. They’ve been awesome to coach and they’re just hanging on to every word.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What ASU women's basketball coach Molly Miller said about her 1st days
Continue reading...
