After 26 years of coaching in the TMU Women’s Basketball program, including the last 13 as head coach, Dan Waldeck has stepped aside from his role with the Mustangs.
“We would like to thank Dan for 25-plus years of service at TMU,” said Kelvin Starr, Master’s athletic director and men’s basketball head coach. “As both an assistant and then head coach, he helped build and maintain a national power in NAIA women’s basketball.”
A Master’s alumnus himself, Waldeck holds fond memories of his time at the university.
“I’m thankful for all the players, coaches and experiences that have accompanied my 26-year journey at Master’s,” Waldeck said. “To witness the stories of growth and accomplishment has been an enormously rich blessing.
“Some of the most treasured memories happened off the court in the lives of individual players. I’ll obviously remember so many of the great victories and championships experienced, but it’s the people that make the program special.”
Waldeck led TMU to many great victories during his tenure as head coach, posting a 265-124 overall record over the past 13 seasons, with his players earning NAIA All-American honors 18 times.
In 2015, he coached TMU to the third Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament title in program history.
He led Master’s to eight NAIA National Tournament appearances, including a trip to the national quarterfinals in 2019. That year, the Mustangs won their first-ever GSAC regular season championship, with Waldeck earning GSAC Coach of the Year honors.
Then the following year, Waldeck led Master’s to a TMU-record 29 wins and its first-ever NAIA No. 1 ranking in program history. Stephanie Soares also became the first Mustang to be named NAIA Player of the Year.
“The team is very thankful for his caring heart,” Soares said. “He encouraged us to grow in our relationship with Christ and he pushed our team to be great on the court. I appreciate all the love and support his family has shown through the years.”
During this past season, one in which was riddled by injuries, Waldeck taught his team valuable life lessons regarding how to handle adversity and honor the Lord while doing so.
“His heart for Christ was evident and was shown in each team he was able to coach,” said Sydney Emory, Master’s women’s basketball assistant coach who played for four seasons under Waldeck’s tutelage at TMU. “He’s taught me to speak the truth, air on the side of grace and walk with integrity.”
Prior to his time as head coach, Waldeck spent 13 years as an assistant coach for the Mustangs, helping TMU reach the national semifinals in 2006 for the first time in program history.
“Dan Waldeck is a man of integrity that poured his heart into the women’s basketball program for over 20 years,” Emory said. “He led with passion on and off the court.”
Waldeck is confident TMU Women’s Basketball has a bright future ahead.
“For our family, we knew it was time for a new adventure together and we are excited to see what God has for us moving forward,” he said. “I always knew when it was time for me to depart TMU, I wanted to leave it in a place of strength, and I believe I’ve done that.
“These ladies are talented and have unmatched potential moving forward. Not only is there a great group of returners, but there is an amazing incoming class, too.”
After 26 years of service, Waldeck remains confident that God will continue to guide his steps.
“I’ve been a part of the Master’s community since 1993, so it will definitely be an adjustment as we step out in faith and follow the Lord’s hand,” Waldeck said. “I’ve been dwelling on Deuteronomy 31, where Moses encourages Joshua and the people of Israel to trust the Lord ‘who will go before them’ as they were about to cross over the Jordan.
“This is a great opportunity for our family and the ladies remaining in the program to do the same. God has done amazing things for our good and His glory, and I’m thrilled to experience His guiding hand moving forward.”
