McMurry athletics photo

A few weeks after leading the McMurry women's basketball team to the Division III Sweet 16, Drew Long has been tabeed as a Division I head coach.

Houston Christian president Robert B. Sloan and athletic director Steve Moniaci announced Drew Long as the next head coach of the Huskies' women's basketball program on Wednesday morning.

HCU is a member of the Southland Conference, and finished 6-23 overall, 3-17 in conference play. Two of its six wins were against Division III programs.

• More coaching moves in the women's Coaching Carousel

Long is the sixth Division III head coach to move directly to D-I head coach in the past five years. Scroll to the bottom of this story for a full listing of every coach to do so in the last 25 years.

"Drew Long is an outstanding addition to HCU," said Sloan. "Not only does he have broad experience in athletic administration, but an outstanding record as a head women's basketball coach. We are grateful to have found someone with his experience and demonstrated leadership. Husky fans can look forward to very positive results, both academically and competitively."

"We couldn't be happier to welcome Coach Long as the next head coach of our women's basketball program and to welcome his family as the newest members of our HCU family," Moniaci said. "Drew is a terrific fit for our university and has proven his ability to lead a women's program to success on the floor and in the classroom during the last four years at McMurry while drawing on his experience as an NCAA Division I administrator and his past experience as a Division I men's basketball assistant coach. We can't wait to see Drew on the floor in Sharp Gym leading the Huskies in November."

"I want to thank Dr. Sloan, director of athletics Steve Moniaci, deputy athletics director Stan Williamson and the rest of the hiring committee for their time throughout this process and for their trust in me," said Long. "I am humbled and honored to be asked to lead the women's basketball program here at HCU."

"Thank you to my wife and kids for allowing me to do what I love and to all my former players, coaches and administrators for all their hard work, trust, and support," Long continued. "I would also like to thank McMurry and the Abilene community for welcoming our family and allowing us to grow with you. The relationships we have made will last a lifetime. We would not be here today if it weren't for all the support we have received over the last 10 years. It's a bittersweet day for my family and me. Abilene is a special place with a lot of special people, but Houston is home."

Long comes to HCU following four years as the head women's coach at McMurry, in Abilene, Texas, where he engineered a turnaround from a 2-16 overall record the year prior to his arrival to a 23-6 overall record and a trip to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 in 2024-25. His 2024-25 team posted the third-best record in program history. During his tenure, Long's McMurry teams showed marked improvement each season as he finished his four years in Abilene with a 54-48 record.

In 2024-25, Long was named D3hoops.com Region 10 Coach of the Year while guiding Emily Holland to all-region honors and a first team all-SCAC selection. Holland was also selected to participate in the 2025 D3 All-Star Game. In 2023-24, he was named ASC Coach of the Year while coaching the ASC Player of the Year.

Prior to taking the head coaching job at McMurry, Long worked in upper administration at Abilene Christian. He began as the Wildcats' associate AD for internal operations before serving as interim athletic director for two months in 2018.