(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - Kathy McConnell-Miller has been named the new head coach of the Carnegie Mellon Women's Basketball program. McConnell-Miller, who has coached at the high school, college and professional levels, will assume leadership of the Tartans on May 31.
"Kathy has had outstanding success at all levels of the game, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome her to the Carnegie Mellon family," said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. "We have aspirations to become one of the top Division III women's basketball programs in the nation, and with Kathy's leadership, expertise and character, we believe she's the one to lead us there."
After graduating from the University of Virginia and playing four years of college basketball, McConnell-Miller began her coaching career at the University of Pittsburgh in 1991 as an assistant coach. She later served as an assistant at Rutgers University and the University of Illinois.
McConnell-Miller's first head coaching opportunity came at the University of Tulsa, where she led the Golden Hurricane from 1999-2005. After taking over a program that had won just 23 games in the three years prior to her arrival, McConnell-Miller led Tulsa to a 91-88 mark over six seasons and Women's NIT appearances in her final two years at the helm.
In 2005, McConnell-Miller left Tulsa to become the head women's basketball coach at the University of Colorado, where she served for five seasons and led the team to a top-25 national ranking while competing in the Big 12. Following her tenure with the Buffaloes, McConnell-Miller was an assistant coach with the WNBA's Tulsa Shock. She then returned to the University of Pittsburgh, where she was associate head coach from 2013-18.
Most recently, McConnell-Miller has been at the helm of the Trinity Area High School Girls Basketball program. In her five years with the program, McConnell-Miller helped the Hillers become one of the most competitive teams in Western Pennsylvania.
"I am honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as the head women's basketball coach at Carnegie Mellon University. A sincere thank you to Dr. Centor, the search committee, and my fellow coaches for entrusting me with leading our student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence in the classroom, on the court, and in the community," McConnell-Miller said. "Carnegie Mellon is a world-class institution, and I'm looking forward to being a part of the Tartan family, building relationships, and working to continue a strong competitive tradition."
A national recruiter, McConnell-Miller has landed seven top-25 recruiting classes throughout her coaching career – at Rutgers, Illinois, Colorado and Pittsburgh. With 10 different states represented on last year's Carnegie Mellon Women's Basketball team roster, McConnell-Miller will put her national experience right to work as she recruits the next classes of Tartans.
McConnell-Miller takes over a program that will have a new home for the 2024-25 season, as the Tartans prepare to move into the new state-of-the-art Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics. The Highmark Center will have a new arena, as well as a practice gym, varsity weight room, sports medicine suite, new lockers rooms and more.
"This is a thrilling time to be at Carnegie Mellon. Our athletics program is as competitive as it has ever been, and the new Highmark Center will provide opportunities for students that we've previously only been able to dream about," Centor said. "Kathy's excitement to lead this program is palpable, and I can't wait to get started."
McConnell-Miller and her husband Brad live in the Mt. Lebanon area. They are the proud parents of Brice, Mackenzie and Macie.