Az Big Media will be profiling one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2026 each day leading up to the celebratory dinner on August 20, 2025. Today, meet Molly Miller, head women’s basketball coach at Arizona State University.
From a field of more than 2,200 women under consideration, the Most Influential Women in Arizona were selected by the editorial board of Az Business magazine and a panel of 12 former Most Influential Women. The Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2026 will be honored at a celebratory dinner on Aug. 20, 2026, at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. The Spotlight Award Sponsor for the Most Influential Women of 2026 is CORE Construction, the Special Gift Sponsor is Tarbell’s, the VIP Sponsor is GCON, the VIP Reception Sponsor is Cullum Homes, the Cover Photo Shoot Sponsor is Greenberg Traurig, the Beverage Sponsor is Arizona Escrow & Financial, the Valet Sponsor in Stevens-Leinweber, the Floral Sponsor is PCL Construction, the Dessert Sponsor is SottoPelle and Tutera Medical, the 360 Photo Booth Sponsor is Clayco, the Step-and -Repeat Sponsor is Morris Hall, the Digital Sponsor is Desert Diamond Casinos, the Floral Provider is PJs Flowers and the Production Sponsor is Merestone.
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Molly Miller, head women’s basketball coach at Arizona State University
Background: Miller arrived in Arizona in the spring of 2020 with a winning background and has been nothing short of electric since. She is 141-49 in six seasons in the Valley, with the one-year turnaround at ASU — from 10 wins to 24 wins — one of the best this century in college hoops. In 2026, the Sun Devils qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, set a school record for the best start (15-0), tied the program record for consecutive wins, swept Utah for the first time since 2018-19 and swept Arizona for the first time since 2017-18.
Advice to younger self: “If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to trust the process. Growth isn’t always linear, and the challenges you face are often preparing you for something bigger. Also, don’t take things personally; learn from them. Stay grounded in your values, outwork everyone in the room, and remember that consistency over time separates good from great. I always say the work is the reward, and if you stay committed to that, everything else will take care of itself.”
Surprising fact: “A fun fact about me is I’ve always been wired by a little bit of reverse psychology. If you tell me I can’t do something, I’m probably going to go prove you wrong. That started early. When I was about 8, my dad told me not to worry about my left-handed layup because I wasn’t strong enough yet. So I went out to the driveway every day for a week until the sun went down, and I mastered my left-handed layup. He also told me becoming valedictorian would be tough, but if I did it, I could pick out a car within budget. I did four years later, and that mindset has stuck with me ever since.”
