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Say hello to the new Sun Devil Women's Basketball staff

Say hello to the new Sun Devil Women's Basketball staffSay hello to the new Sun Devil Women's Basketball staff
Sun Devil Athletics

Sun Devil Women's Basketball Head Coach Molly Miller has put together her first staff, and it is filled with a little bit of everything, including one former player -- with tons of coaching experience at the highest level -- coming back to Tempe.

Sun Devil graduate Stephanie Norman has joined the program after 18 seasons of experience at Louisville, and she is joined on the staff by associate head coach Jason Glover and assistant coaches Daniel Barber, Abi Olajuwon, Daejah Bernard and director of operations Ashleigh Lopez.
 

Stephanie Norman
Associate Head Coach, Director of Basketball Strategy

A member of the A STEP UP Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Norman returns to her alma mater as associate head coach and director of basketball strategy following a storied, 18-season stint at Louisville – as assistant coach (2007-12) and associate head coach (2012-25) – where she helped Cardinals head coach Jeff Walz establish the program as a perennial national powerhouse. During her 18 seasons on the bench, Louisville earned 16 NCAA Tournament invites and advanced to the Sweet 16 or better 12 times, including eight Elite Eights and four Final Fours. On two occasions, Louisville came one win short of a national title with NCAA runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2013.  

"Stephanie is a coaching legend, and we are so fortunate to add her to our staff," Miller said. "With over 25 players coached who have gone on to be drafted, and a proven track record of success, including participating in multiple Final Fours, her experience speaks for itself. She is one of the most accomplished coaches in the game, and her ability to identify, recruit, and develop elite talent is unparalleled. Stephanie's deep understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level, combined with her extensive network and years of experience, will bring a wealth of knowledge to our team."

Louisville captured four regular season titles and one ACC Tournament title and will enter the 2025-26 season with a streak of 15 consecutive 20-win campaigns, the fifth-longest active streak in the country. 

From a player development standpoint, Norman's coaching was integral in 15 Louisville student-athletes having their name called on the WNBA's annual draft day. Among the 15 WNBA selections were first-round picks Angel McCoughtry (2009), Shoni Schimmel (2014), Asia Durr (2019), Jazmine Jones (2020) and Emily Engstler (2022).

Norman was a four-year letter winner (1984-88) and a two-time Pac-10 All-Academic selection at ASU. She played 74 games in the Maroon and Gold and served as the team's captain her junior and senior seasons.

Originally hailing from Florence, Ore., Norman earned her undergraduate degree from ASU in 1989 and her master's degree from Hawaii in 1992. She and her husband Geoff are the parents of a son (Parker) and a daughter (Cassidy).

Jason Glover
Associate Head Coach

A veteran coach whose experiences include working with major D1 women's basketball squads, the WNBA and the NBA, Jason Glover will be joining Miller's staff as associate head coach. 
 
For the past two seasons Glover served in the same capacity on Miller's GCU coaching staff. Glover's time working with Miller coincided with the most successful stretch in program annals as GCU won 84 percent of its games (56-11), including a school record 32 wins in 2024-25, a season that culminated with the Lopes earning their first NCAA Tournament berth. In addition to experiencing March Madness for the first time, GCU also captured both the WAC Tournament and regular season championships and set the conference record for consecutive wins (30).
 
"Glove is a true veteran of the game, with a wealth of experience at every level from the WNBA to the NBA, G League, and college basketball," Miller said. "He was instrumental in our 32-win season last year and helped us to a regular season and conference tournament championship. His high basketball IQ, paired with his deep love for player development instantly elevates our program and the skill of our players. His track record of success will be invaluable as we continue to build a championship-caliber team here at Arizona State."

Taking a part in the offensive sets for the Lopes in 2023-24, GCU ranked first in the WAC and 40th in the nation in field goal percentage (44.6) while also ranking second in the conference in three-point percentage (32.4) and fourth in assists per game (15.0). The Lopes scored 69.5 points per game while limiting opponents to 56.2, totaling 425 more points on the offensive end then their opposition. 

In 2024-25, Glover's influence once again played a major role in helping GCU end the season among the nation's best squads in field goal percentage (third), scoring margin (seventh), 3-point field goal percentage (11th) and assists per game (24th). The Lopes also led the WAC in each of the categories.

Glover played baseball for GCU as a pitcher in 1985 and graduated with a bachelor's in physical education with a minor in biology.

  
Daniel Barber
Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator

Assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Daniel Barber brings more than 10 years of coaching experience and a proven track record of identifying talent to Tempe.
 
"Daniel brings a wealth of experience from the P4 level and a strong understanding of the recruiting landscape," Miller said. "He is one of the hardest workers in our business, and his attention to detail and relentless drive will be key in supporting our program. He has a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of college basketball and his commitment to building strong relationships with recruits will be crucial as we continue to identify and bring in top-tier talent."
 
At Penn State, Barber helped in the development of new Sun Devil guard Gabby Elliott, who in conference games led the team in scoring (17.2 ppg) and 3-point FG pct. (45.8) while also having a strong presence on the boards (4.2 rpg).

Before joining Penn State's coaching staff, Barber was an assistant coach for six seasons at Clemson. While at the ACC school, Barber eventually added the position of recruiting coordinator to his job title. Barber assisted with the coaching of six players who earned All-ACC honors throughout his time with the Tigers, including Delicia Washington (first-team honors), two ACC All-Freshman Team selections and two All-Defensive Team members. During his time as recruiting coordinator, Barber was instrumental in helping Clemson sign multiple players who were ranked among the nation's Top 50, including Ruby Whitehorn – Clemson's first McDonald's All-American – who was named to the ACC's All-Freshman Team. 

In addition to Penn State and Clemson, Barber enjoyed a short stint at UNC Asheville for the 2013-14 season before heading to Stetson where he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for four seasons. 

Barber is a graduate of Florida, where he earned both his undergraduate and master's degrees. During his graduate studies he served as the graduate assistant for the women's basketball team at his alma mater. 


Abi Olajuwon
Assistant Coach

Abi Olajuwon comes to the Valley of the Sun from the WNBA's Connecticut Sun where she was part of a staff that helped lead the Sun to the WNBA semifinals in both of her seasons on the bench.

"Abi Olajuwon is a big-time addition to our staff. I really value her experience at both the professional level and as a player and coach in the Big 12," Miller said. "She has a great rapport with recruits and players and excels in player development. Her deep knowledge of the game and passion for developing student-athletes make her a fantastic addition to our program."
 
During her time in Connecticut, Olajuwon coached several of the league's top players, all of whom accumulated numerous accolades in 2023 and 2024. The most decorated player during Olajuwon's two seasons was Alyssa Thomas, who was named a WNBA All-Star, All-Defensive First Team and All-WNBA First Team both seasons. Thomas was also named to the AP All-WNBA First Team in 2024.In addition to Thomas, Olajuwon also coach WNBA All-Stars DeWanna Bonner (2023 and 2024) and Brionna Jones (2024). Olajuwon's coaching was also instrumental in the development of DiJonai Carrington, who was named the WNBA's Most Improved Player and All-Defensive First Team in 2024.  
 
Olajuwon arrived in Connecticut after a four-season stint at TCU where she served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In addition to her role as recruiting coordinator, Olajuwon also worked with the TCU's post players.Prior to her appointment at TCU, Olajuwon was assistant coach at Eastern Michigan for two seasons. Olajuwon also added the title of recruiting coordinator the second of her two years. In both of her seasons, the Eagles signed the MAC's top recruiting class. 

During her career, Olajuwon has worked with two of the most prominent Sun Devils who both contributed to the remarkable success of the program. While with the Connecticut Sun, Olajuwon shared the bench with fellow assistant coach and Sun Devil Hall of Famer Briann January. As an assistant coach for the Nigeria women's national team at the Paris Olympics in 2024, Olajuwon coached another of ASU's all-time standouts, Promise Amukamara. The team made history not only by capturing the country's first win in the Olympics, but also advanced to the quarterfinal round to become the first African basketball team, male or female, to qualify for the quarterfinals of the basketball competition at the Olympics.
 

 
A 2010 graduate of Oklahoma, Olajuwon played in the 2009 and 2010 Women's Final Four and won Big 12 Championships in 2007 and 2009. As a senior in 2009-10, she started all 38 games at center, averaging 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Olajuwon and Britney Brown – also an assistant coach during Olajuwon's time at TCU – were teammates for one season at Oklahoma. Brown was a senior and Olajuwon was a freshman in 2006-07.
 
Olajuwon, the daughter of hall of fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, was a third-round pick by the Chicago Sky in the 2010 WNBA Draft. After playing one season with the Sky, Olajuwon signed with the Tulsa Shock in 2011. In addition to the two WNBA stops, Olajuwon played overseas for clubs in Hungary, Romania, Isreal, Croatia, France, Brazil, China and Spain in a three-year professional playing career.

 
Daejah Bernard
Assistant Coach, Basketball Operations Coordinator

Daejah Bernard followed Miller to ASU after she was reunited with her college coach – first as director of basketball operations and later as assistant coach – when she joined Miller's staff at Grand Canyon University. At ASU, Bernard will be serving as assistant coach and basketball operations coordinator.
 
"Daejah is someone I've had the privilege of coaching, and her journey has been incredible to watch her grow from being my point guard to being by my side on the sideline," Miller said. "Her passion for the game and belief in our program made her an obvious choice to bring with me in this new chapter. Daejah has an unmatched love for our brand and is dedicated to instilling that same passion in our players. I am confident that her energy, work ethic, and commitment to developing players will help us continue to grow and reach our full potential as a program."
 
In 2024-25, Bernard was part of a Lopes coaching staff that led GCU to a school record 32 wins and the program's first NCAA Tournament berth. In addition, GCU also captured both the WAC Tournament and regular season championships. The 30-game winning streak going into the NCAA Tournament set the conference record for consecutive wins (30).

Bernard, who first arrived at GCU in August 2022, was a standout player for four seasons at Drury (2016-20). Under Miller's tutelage, Bernard went on to become an American Basketball Coaches Association All-American honorable mention when the team went 67-1. As a senior, Drury was 32-0 and ranked first nationally in Division II, but the season was halted before the NCAA tournament by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernard holds Drury's single-season records for assists (211) and steals (137) and the career mark for assists (607), a total that broke the previous record by 133. She was also third on Drury's career steals list (402).

Bernard graduated from Drury in 2020 with a degree in Exercise Physiology after being honored multiple times on the Dean's List.


Ashleigh Lopez
Director of Operations, Recruiting and Player Development

Also joining Miller from GCU where she served first as a graduate assistant before being elevated to assistant coach is Ashleigh Lopez. In her new role, Lopez will be the director of player development and recruiting operations for the program.
 
In 2024-25, Lopez was part of a Lopes coaching staff that led GCU to a school record 32 wins and the program's first NCAA Tournament berth. In addition, GCU also captured both the WAC Tournament and regular season championships. The 30-game winning streak going into the NCAA Tournament set the conference record for consecutive wins (30). In April 2025, Lopez was named one of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Thirty Under 30, a program created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches aged 30 and under at all levels of the game.

 

"Ashleigh is the epitome of hard work and dedication," Miller said. "As a recipient of the prestigious Thirty Under 30 award, she brings not only a high level of expertise but also a genuine passion for building meaningful relationships with players. Her ability to inspire and mentor is unmatched and her focus on development, is exactly what we need to help our players reach their full potential. We're lucky to have someone with her work ethic, commitment, and vision on our staff, and I know she will play a significant role in building the culture we're striving for at Arizona State."

Lopez initially joined GCU via University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) where she spent two and a half years as their women's basketball assistant. There, she directly assisted the director of basketball operations with responsibilities including video coordinator, organization of Teamworks and assistance in practice and pre-game schedules.
 
A native of Edinburg, Texas, Lopez graduated from UTRGV with a bachelor's degree in multi-disciplinary studies. She was also a member of the women's golf team during the 2014-15 season.