FILE – Grand Canyon head coach Molly Miller reacts after a play against Stephen F. Austin during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Western Athletic Conference women’s tournament, March 12, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, file)
Mutual Respect Between Rival Coaches
In their rivalry, Arizona State’s Molly Miller and Arizona’s Becky Burke could easily harbor negative feelings towards each other, but that’s not the case.
Both coaches hold deep respect for each other’s journey in coaching, celebrating their track records of success and the enthusiasm each brings to their teams.
A Shared Connection
They share a common link through Stephanie Norman, who is currently on Miller’s coaching staff and previously worked with Burke at Louisville under coach Jeff Walz.
Miller expressed her admiration for Burke, noting, “(Norman) tells me that Becky is like my boss, being a head coach. She’s highly competitive and comes from a reputable program, which I greatly respect.”
Historic Coaching Changes
This marks the first time since 1987 that both Arizona and Arizona State have new women’s basketball coaches, as they previously hired June Olkowski and Maura McHugh back in the day.
While both coaches aim for victory, they start from different points: Burke inherits a strong Arizona team with recent NCAA Tournament appearances, while Miller seeks to revitalize a struggling Arizona State program.
Burke’s Strong Foundation
Burke recently took over a solid Arizona team that reached the NCAA Tournament four times in the last five years under Adia Barnes, culminating in a national championship game appearance in 2021.
Despite the roster challenges brought on by player transfers, Burke is optimistic thanks to the existing support in Tucson and the foundation laid by her predecessor.
“There’s great momentum, but we are essentially starting anew,” Burke explained, referring to the current roster situation.
Miller’s Rebuilding Task
Miller faces the challenge of restoring the reputation of Arizona State’s program, which has struggled since Charli Turner Thorne’s long tenure ended. The Sun Devils last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2019.
Miller brings a successful history to her role; she was a standout player at Drury University and won 180 games in six seasons as head coach at her alma mater before leading the Grand Canyon program to new heights.
Hopes for Quick Success
Miller believes securing team buy-in will be crucial for a swift turnaround at Arizona State. “To have a program rebound quickly, you need everyone to be on the same page,” she mentioned.
Like Miller, Burke has a history of instilling commitment and enthusiasm in her teams. Now, both coaches will strive to succeed in their respective roles while fostering mutual respect through their fierce rivalry.
