Leann Dahlstein hired as new Asbury women's basketball coach (June 24)
By Asbury Sports Information
WILMORE - Asbury Athletics Director Mark Perdue announced Friday morning the hire of Leann Dahlstein as the Asbury women's basketball program's new head coach. Dahlstein becomes the sixth head coach since the program's inception in 1991-92.
"Leann brings a lot of energy and experience to our program and will look to continue the success those before her have built," Perdue said of the hire. "She's had success everywhere she has been and holds close the values of Asbury in her coaching style. We are excited to have her take over the program."
Dahlstein will look to build on the success the Eagles have had in recent years. Asbury has won 23 or more games each of the past four seasons, the only 20-win seasons in program history. Just this last season the Eagles won their second KIAC Championship in a row and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for just the second time in program history as well. The recent success doesn't stop there either. The Eagles captured their first-ever National Tournament win last season and nearly advanced to the National Quarterfinals as well.
"I'm excited to be a part of an excellent program that has grown immensely over the years and is continuing to grow," Dahlstein said. "I have always respected the teams Asbury produced and so it's an honor to get to take over."
Dahlstein, though, is no stranger to success or the NAIA National Tournament. Last season she served as the Interim Head Coach at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla., and took her team to the NAIA National Tournament by winning 24 games and the team's first Sun Conference Conference Championship. The Fire took a loss to seventh-ranked Davenport (Mich.) in the opening round.
Prior to the 2015-16 season Dahlstein served as the head coach at Central Christian College in Moberly, Missouri, leading the Saints to their first 20-win season in program history en route to being named the NCCAA Division II National Coach of the Year. She took the Saints to the NCCAA National Championship game and finished as the NCCAA National Runners-Up. She spent two seasons at Central Christian with a record of 37-21 with five players being honored as NCCAA All-Americans.
The season prior to her stint at Central Christian was also with Southeastern as a Graduate Assistant. During that season the Fire went 18-14.
Dahlstein spent her playing days at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky and says "it's like coming home; I love Kentucky" when asked about what it meant to her to be hired.
Dahlstein will start her duties as the women's basketball coach on July 8th.