After ten seasons at the helm of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University women’s basketball program, Amanda Short has resigned as head coach.
“We are very thankful for Amanda’s 10 years of service to our MVNU women’s basketball program,” said Director of Athletics, Chip Wilson. “It has been a pleasure to work with her, and it has been a privilege to watch her family grow in her time at MVNU.”
Short came to MVNU taking over a program coming off back-to-back five-win seasons, and instantly made her mark. Under Short’s guidance, the team saw improvements in its record in each of her first three seasons. She then saw her team match its highest win total since the 2011-12 season with an 18-13 record in 2019-20.
As Coach Short continued to build the program, she led the Lady Cougars to a historic season in 2020-21. Under Short’s guidance, MVNU was selected for the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2010-11, and just the second time in program history. With Short, MVNU would win its first NAIA National Tournament game in program history over LSU-Shreveport in the Alexandria, Louisiana bracket.
In MVNU’s next opening-round game, it took on Wayland Baptist University, the top seed in the Alexandria, Louisiana Bracket. The Lady Cougars defeated Wayland by a score of 77-74 to advance to the NAIA National Tournament Round of 16 in Sioux City, Iowa, for the first time in program history. The win for MVNU also snapped Wayland’s 40-game winning streak.
Short had other big wins in her time at MVNU, highlighted by beating Thomas More, the number-one team in the nation, on homecoming during the 2021-22 season. Short also saw her team take down top-ten-ranked Marian University in the following season. Under Short’s coaching, the women’s basketball program developed 24 All-Crossroads League selections during her time with the program. Short also had three seasons in which one of her players accomplished the honor of being named an NAIA All-American.
“It’s been a blessing coaching the MVNU women’s basketball program for the last 10 years. I will always be thankful to Keith Veale for taking a chance on me,” said Short. I not only saw the program grow, but my family grow in my time there. I loved having my little girls around so many Godly women. There are many good memories on the court; from going to the Sweet 16 to beating the number-one team in the nation. But more importantly, I will treasure my time off the court with my players and coaches.”
A national search for the next head coach of the MVNU women’s basketball program will begin immediately.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,100 students from 33 states and 26 foreign countries.
https://mvnucougars.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/releases/20250326j3o684
Tagged with: NAIA
