Missouri Western State University Director of Athletics Andy Carter has announced an agreement with Ashton Feldhaus to become the 10th head women’s basketball coach in program history.
Feldhaus will take the reins of the Griffons as a first-time head coach, after spending the past five seasons as the top assistant and associate head coach for Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Tritons have made six straight NCAA Division II tournament appearances, most recently coming of a 20-12 campaign and a Sunshine State Conference Tournament championship in the 2023-24 season. Eckerd made a program-best Sweet 16 appearance in 2023.
“We are so excited to welcome Ashton to the Griffon family,” Carter said. “The national search process brought forth an incredibly talented candidate pool. With the current wave of momentum in our women’s basketball program, we were meticulous in our search for talent, fit and a proven winner. Ashton checks all the boxes. She is a rising star in the profession. Her maturity, knowledge, preparation and energy is contagious. She is a natural leader who understands the expectations.”
Recently, Feldhaus was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) 30 Under 30 Class. The Tritons have posted a 91-28 overall record during her five year tenure, where she has served alongside longtime Eckerd head coach Paul Honsinger. She inherits a Griffon women’s basketball program that has won 100 games over the past five seasons, including an Elite 8 appearance in 2022-2023 and an outright MIAA Championship in 2023-24.
“I am beyond excited to join Griffon Nation as the next head women’s basketball coach,” Feldhaus said. “I am thankful to Andy, Dr. Kennedy and the MWSU athletics staff for this opportunity to build on the great tradition at Missouri Western. As soon as I stepped on campus it was clear that the support from the administration and the community is paramount to the success of Griffon Athletics. I am ready to get to St. Joseph and get to work!”
A formal press conference and public reception to officially introduce Coach Feldhaus will take place next week with dates and times to be announced soon.
PERSONAL
A native of Richmond, Kentucky, Feldhaus brings a strong playing resume at the NCAA Division I level at both Butler (Ind.) University and the University of Tennessee at Martin.
As a freshman at Butler, Feldhaus played in all 31 games averaging 12.4 minutes per contest. She then transferred to UT Martin, missing two seasons due to the NCAA transfer rule and an injury.
Her first season with the Skyhawks saw Feldhaus earn Second Team All-OVC honors and OVC All-Newcomer honors and was a six-time conference newcomer of the week while averaging 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. As a senior, she earned a repeat selection to the All-OVC second team despite being slowed by injury.
Feldhaus received a Bachelors Degree in Communications and a Masters Degree in Family and Consumer Science from UT Martin.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH FELDHAUS
“Ashton is an exceptional young talent who has a tremendous passion and knowledge for the game. She has an uncanny ability to identify talent and connect with her players. Her energy and personality make her a natural leader and her work ethic is incomparable. I’m grateful for the mark she left on our program and I’m excited to watch her thrive at Missouri Western.”
- Paul Honsinger, head women’s basketball coach, Eckerd College
“I am excited about Ashton’s opportunity to lead the Missouri Western women’s basketball program. The Feldhaus family is synonymous with basketball royalty and success in the state of Kentucky. Ashton will bring hard work, a great understanding of the game and a very competitive nature that will continue the success of Griffon Basketball.”
- Gregg Todd, head women’s basketball coach, Eastern Kentucky University
“The Feldhaus family IS basketball in Kentucky! I’m so happy for Ashton to have this opportunity for her first head coaching job! I grew up with her family and watched her grow up to be a great basketball player and begin her coaching career. I’m looking forward to cheering her on with this next step!”
- Shannon Litton, associate head women’s basketball coach, Bellarmine University
“Ashton is extremely hard working and driven. She will bring a great deal of energy and enthusiasm each and every day. As a player and coach, she has done nothing but win. There is no doubt that she will be an amazing addition to the Missouri Western family.”
- Kayla Kleifgen – assistant basketball coach, Marquette University
https://gogriffons.com/news/2024/4/15/ashton-feldhaus-named-mwsu-womens-basketball-head-coach.aspx
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