Montreat College Senior Vice President and Provost Marshall Flowers announced on Monday the hiring of Meghan Austin as women’s basketball head coach. Austin takes over the Cavaliers who finished fifth in the Appalachian Athletic Conference 11-team circuit in 2013-14 after spending last season at Charleston Southern where she served on Fred Applin’s staff.
"Coach Meghan Austin brings solid basketball experience and knowledge to her new head coaching opportunity at Montreat College," said Dr. Flowers.
While at Charleston Southern, Austin played an integral role in guard development, recruiting, scouting and game management. Under Austin’s guidance Erin Bratcher earned Big South Honorable Mention and Kirklin Kirkpatrick was named to the Big South All-Academic Team.
As a senior Bratcher, was the only player to start all 30 games for the Buccaneers and recorded a career-high 20 double-digit scoring performances, scored a career-high 26 points on Jan. 9, in an 81-71 win at Campbell and made a career-high 84 3-pointers while averaging a career-high in points per game (12.7) under Austin’s tutelage.
"I am excited for the opportunity to be the head coach at Montreat College," said Meghan Austin. "I believe that basketball is a tool to help women grow in all aspects of their lives. My intentions are to establish a successful program where the student-athletes win on the court and grow both spiritually and academically under my leadership. Montreat is a very community centered college and I am looking forward to building relationships with the faculty, staff, and students there."
Prior to coaching at Charleston Southern, Austin served as the Assistant Coach for the Hawks of Chowan University for her first three seasons before she was named the Associate Head Coach in the summer of 2012 following the Hawks best finish in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association when Chowan went
During her time with the Hawks, Austin oversaw player development, recruiting and practice planning as part of her duties and she helped mentor All-Conference performs; Talaya Lynch, Ransheda Jennings, Janelle Murphy and Summer Curtis.
Curtis recorded a program single-season record 79 blocks as she ranked No. 15 in NCAA Division II with 2.72 blocks per game as a freshman in 2011-12. The 6-foot-3 forward set a team and conference single season-high nine blocks Jan. 14, 2012 against Shaw.
Lynch and Jennings two of the premier scorers in Chowan history recording 1,412 and 1,281 points respectively.
Lynch went onto earn Rookie of the Year and was a two-time First Team All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and CIAA All-Tournament Team honoree. Lynch was also named Chowan’s 2011-2012 Athlete of the Year.
Jennings a three-time All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association honoree was also selected as the United States Marine Corps Excellence in Leadership Award for excellence displayed in the classroom and on the court and was a finalist for the CIAA Women’s Basketball Senior Class Award that recognizes the CIAA’s top senior basketball player.
Before making her way to Chowan, Austin served as an assistant coach at Coker College where she oversaw skill development and the strength and conditioning program for the women’s basketball team. Under Austin’s tutelage Henna Koponen and Lotta Aaltonen earned All-Conference Carolinas for the Cobras.
Austin, a native of Lynchburg, Va., enjoyed a stellar prep career at E.C. Glass High School where she was a two-time All-Region Player of the Year as she scored over 800 points and pulled down over 700 career-rebounds. Austin was named Western Valley District Co-Player of the Year and First Team All-District while leading the district in both scoring and rebounding her senior season.
As a student-athlete Austin was a four-year member of the women’s basketball program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
During her playing career with the Tar Heels, Austin gained valuable experience through interacting with Naismith Hall of Fame inductee, head coach Sylvia Hatchell and the UNC coaching staff as well as her teammates, many of which went onto play professionally in the WNBA and overseas.
Off the court, Austin was an active member in FCA, SAAC, as well as being active with various community service organizations. Austin was a member of the ACC All-Academic team three years and received the Athletic Director’s Scholar Athlete award in 2006-2007.
Austin was a member of four ACC Championship teams and was a two time NCAA Final Four participant in 2006 and 2007, before graduating from UNC in the spring of 2008 with degrees in Exercise and Sport Science and Psychology with a minor in coaching.
"Coach Austin’s commitment to forming Christ-centered character in her team and striving for excellence in the sport captures the heart of the mission-driven focus of Montreat Athletics," said Dr. Flowers.
Austin is committed to growing and giving back to the basketball community. She is an active member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and was a presenter at the 2012 WBCA Convention to the nearly 6,600 member organization where she spoke on developing leadership.
"I want to thank Dr. Flowers and the search committee for allowing me this opportunity and instilling their faith in me as I step forward as Montreat’s next women’s basketball head coach," said Head Coach Meghan Austin.
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