GCU Swiftly Recruits South Carolina’s Winston Gandy Following Molly Miller’s ASU Exit

In a swift turn of events, Grand Canyon University (GCU) has appointed Winston Gandy as the new head coach for their women’s basketball team. This decision comes just days after Molly Miller departed for a coaching role at Arizona State University following GCU’s exit from the NCAA Tournament.

GCU acted quickly to secure Gandy, an assistant coach with a pedigree from South Carolina, where the program is currently competing for its third national title in four years. In a statement, Gandy expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, noting, “Grand Canyon was the only… non-Power Four place. It was one of those things where you had to be there to know why.”

Gandy’s hiring is backed by strong endorsements. Jerry Colangelo, a senior advisor at GCU, confirmed Gandy’s credentials through a conversation with Mike Krzyzewski, the former Duke head coach. Dawn Staley, the head coach at South Carolina, praised Gandy’s dedication and relationship-building skills, emphasizing his abilities as a recruiter and work ethic.

Gandy remains focused on South Carolina’s ongoing tournament run, but he anticipates the challenges at GCU. “I do believe there’s another level,” he stated, highlighting the need to build recognition for the program beyond Arizona.

GCU’s leadership expressed confidence in Gandy’s commitment. President Brian Mueller remarked that they wanted a coach who was dedicated to the university, revealing that they were not blindsided by Miller’s departure. “She’s interviewed for jobs after every single year… We wanted somebody who wanted to be here,” he said.

In his own remarks, Gandy mentioned the ease of his decision, calling it a “no-brainer.” His vision for the program involves elevating its profile nationally.

The timeline surrounding this coaching transition has been notably brisk: GCU lost their tournament game on Friday, Miller accepted the ASU position on Saturday, South Carolina advanced in the tournament on Sunday, and Gandy was introduced as GCU’s new head coach by Monday.