OKLAHOMA CITY – After putting together an incredible nine-year run at the helm of the MACU Women's Basketball program, head coach Hannah Moeller is officially stepping down from her position to accept the head women's basketball coaching position at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Over the course of her illustrious Evangels career, the three-time NCCAA D-I Coach of the Year has elevated the MACU Women's Basketball program to new heights, winning the program's first ever Sooner Athletic Conference regular season title during 2020-21 campaign as well as back-to-back NCCAA D-II National Championships in 2018 and 2019.
Amassing an astonishing record of 202-75 (.729) to become one of the winningest coaches in program history, not only did Moeller lead the Evangels to their first ever NAIA Tournament appearance in 2021, but the Evangels have made five consecutive tourney appearances since, including making their deepest run this past season as MACU made it to Round of 16 for the first time in program history.
"I am eternally grateful to Dr. John Fozard for bringing me to MACU nine years ago. His leadership, mentorship and friendship will always mean the world to me," stated Moeller. "This has been an incredible home for me and my kids and I will always take an immense pride in saying that I was lucky enough to be the head women's basketball coach at MACU."
After taking over a program that had not recorded a 20-plus win season since joining the NAIA in 2007, Moeller immediately elevated the program in her first campaign in 2016-17 as the Evangels wrapped up the season with a 23-13 overall record and qualified for the NCCAA Division I National Championship Tournament for only the second time since moving up to the D-I level and the first nationals appearance since the 2008-09 campaign.
The following season, MACU took the next step in Moeller's second stanza as the Evangels captured the NCCAA D-I National Championship after going 24-11 in 2017-18, wrapping it up with a 71-60 win over Concordia-Ann Arbor (Mich.) on Mar. 17, 2018 before running it back for a second-straight NCCAA title to wrap-up a stellar 25-9 season in 2018-19 with a thrilling come-from-behind 87-84 victory over Brewton-Parker (Ga.) on Mar. 16, 2018.
After having its postseason chances thwarted following a 2019-20 season that saw the year abruptly ended due to COVID-19, Moeller once again helped navigate the Evangels through a pandemic-stricken 2020-21 season. Through a challenging year for college basketball nationwide, MACU captured its first SAC Championship with a 6-0 league record and a 9-3 mark overall as the Evangels also qualified for their first ever NAIA National Tournament appearance.
The next year, MACU took another enormous leap forward as a program as the Evangels closed out the season with an NAIA Era program-record in wins with a 28-5 overall record and also captured the program's first ever NAIA Tournament victory in the First Round against Briar Cliff by a score of 76-64 on Mar. 11, 2022.
Following two more outstanding campaigns in 2022-23 and 2023-24, Mid-America Christian once again climbed the ladder as a program once again this past season. After opening the season with a statement 69-64 win over last year's NAIA National Finalist No. 2 Providence (Mont.) inside the Gaulke Activity Center on Nov. 2, the Evangels went on to capture multiple program firsts over the course of the year, including the program's first ever appearance in the SAC Tournament Championship game on Mar. 4. Upon receiving an automatic berth to the NAIA Tournament, MACU was able to advance out of the NAIA First and Second Rounds for the first time in program history after defeating No. 10 seed Northwestern (Iowa) 73-63 on Mar. 14 and a 94-74 victory over 15-seed Kansas Wesleyan on Mar. 15.
"What we've been able to accomplish on the court, in the classroom and in the community is a direct reflection of the incredible MACU family," Moeller added. "I have been supported at every turn by so many people and I'll never be able to say thank you enough to all the people who made it all work so well."
During her tenure at MACU, Moeller had the opportunity to coach some of the best players to ever step on the court for the program with eight of her players being named NCCAA All-Americans, including a pair of three-time NCCAA First Team All-Americans in Alexis Shannon (2017-20) and Shy Christopher (2022-25). On top of that, Christopher became the program's first ever NAIA All-American selection this past season, being named a Second Team honoree.
"To all of the former players, you all have given me so much more than I could ever give you," stated Moeller. "I am continually amazed at the young women you have become and I love you all more than you'll ever know."
A national search for MACU's next head coach will get underway immediately. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply.
