Hana Haden Joins Memphis as Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Memphis just made a big move in women’s basketball by hiring Hana Haden as their new head coach. Haden, who was at Georgia Southern before this, has a reputation for sharp coaching and even snagged the 2026 Sun Belt Coach of the Year award.
This hire feels like a clear, strategic push from Memphis to build a program that matches the city’s love for basketball.
Hana Haden’s Impressive Coaching Journey
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Honestly, Haden’s coaching story is pretty wild. Over ten seasons, she’s stacked up a 224-91 record, showing she knows how to win and lead at different levels.
She started out at Division II Georgia Southwestern State and Moberly Area Community College. Then she took over at Georgia Southern and really made her mark.
At Georgia Southern, Haden flipped the script for the program. She led the team to a 23-8 record and grabbed their first regular-season title in 25 years.
She picked up the 2026 Sun Belt Coach of the Year honor, which is especially impressive since most people thought the team would finish 10th that year.
Key Achievements at Georgia Southern
Haden helped senior Kishyah Anderson have a breakout year, and Anderson ended up as Sun Belt Player of the Year. That really says something about Haden’s knack for helping players reach their potential.
- 23-8 Record: Led Georgia Southern to a standout 23-8 season.
- Regular-Season Title: Brought home the first regular-season title in 25 years.
- Coach of the Year: Picked up the 2026 Sun Belt Coach of the Year award.
- Player Development: Coached Kishyah Anderson to Sun Belt Player of the Year.
Memphis’ Strategic Move
Memphis clearly wants to build something special in women’s basketball. Athletic director Ed Scott sounds pretty confident that Haden can lead the team to postseason wins, pointing to her track record and leadership.
Building a Championship Program
Haden says she wants Memphis to play with the pride and grit that the city and state are known for. She gets the basketball obsession here and wants her team to show that same fire.
In her words, This university represents a city and a state with an incredible passion for basketball, and I look forward to building a championship program that embodies the pride and toughness to reflect that passion.
Hana Haden’s Background
Haden started her basketball journey as a player at Western Carolina, after spending time at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Mineral Area College. Playing and coaching at different levels has given her a real feel for the game and how to relate to her players.
Playing Career
She picked up a lot from her playing days, and it shows in her coaching style. Her stints at Western Carolina, Missouri-St. Louis, and Mineral Area College set the stage for everything that came after.
- Western Carolina: Played two seasons and really sharpened her skills.
- University of Missouri-St. Louis: Kept developing as a player.
- Mineral Area College: Kicked off her college playing career and started building toward coaching.
The Future of Memphis Women’s Basketball
With Haden running the show, it’s hard not to feel optimistic about Memphis women’s basketball. Her history of winning, her love for the game, and her commitment to her players could take this program somewhere special.
Expectations and Goals
Haden wants to build a championship program that competes at the highest level. She also cares about making sure the team embodies the values and spirit of Memphis.
She’s focused on creating a culture of excellence, teamwork, and resilience. Her players need to be ready both on and off the court—no shortcuts there.
Memphis is heading into a new chapter with Haden at the helm. Fans can expect a season that feels exciting and competitive, which is honestly what everyone’s hoping for.
The hiring of Hana Haden feels like a real step forward for the program. People in the basketball community are genuinely eager to see what kind of impact she’ll have.
Want to dig deeper into Hana Haden’s hiring and her plans for Memphis? Check out the full article on Lancaster Online.