Trevecca promotes assistant to men’s basketball head coach

By Antonia Lopez

After promoting Assistant Basketball Coach Nathan Moran to head coach of the men’s basketball team, the athletic department continues its search for a women’s basketball and women’s soccer coach.

Moran was announced as head coach April 22 after Kevin Caroll took the head coaching position at neighboring Lipscomb University.

“To the past and present players and the Trevecca community, I can’t express how grateful I am,” Moran said in a Trevecca athletics press release. “We will work to build a team that not only performs on the court but also inspires others through our values and community impact.”

Moran is a Lipscomb and Battle Ground Academy graduate. He has previous coaching experience as an assistant coach at Lee University and was a part of the coaching staff as a graduate assistant at Missouri Western State University.

As head coach, Moran hopes to bring in a coaching staff that genuinely cares, and hopes to retain current staff and add more that will complement the team’s culture and mission, according to a press release.

“There is an energy in the building whenever Nate is in it. He brings confidence and humility to our program,” said Elliot in a press release. “His superpower is forming a connection with our players. Nate brings his own style of leadership and coaching, culled from playing and coaching under successful coaches. He has fully brought into our athletic department’s philosophy of Christian, Scholar, Athlete.”

According to Mark Elliott, Trevecca’s athletic director, the department is currently interviewing and cutting down the candidate list for the vacant positions of women’s basketball head coach and women’s soccer head coach.

The positions became open around the same time as the men’s basketball head coaching position did.

Elliott announced on March 24 that former Vanderbilt player and women’s basketball head coach Karen Booker will not return for a fourth season with the Trojans.

“There are a lot of components when evaluating the success and direction
of our athletic programs. While this decision is very difficult, it’s important to acknowledge the on-court success that our program had under Karen’s leadership. We thank Karen for her contributions to the women’s basketball program,” said Elliot in a press release

Nathan Harrell, the women’s soccer head coach, announced his departure the same week as Booker to take a position with the Charlotte Eagles, a branch of Missionary Athletes International.

Booker coached at Trevecca for three seasons and ended her coaching career at the university with a 49-42 win record.

Harrell and his wife and assistant coach, Bess, coached at Trevecca for two seasons before making the decision to pursue full-time ministry through Missionary Athletes International. Harrell came to Trevecca after coaching at Emmanuel College, his and Bess’s alma mater, for six years.

“When coaches move on to something that is better for their family, while we are sad to see them go, we can sincerely rejoice with them. For Nathan and Bess, full time Christian ministry has been a desire,” said Mark Elliot, Trevecca’s athletic director in a press release. “Being able to do ministry with a soccer emphasis is a perfect situation for them. The Charlotte Eagles are getting high quality coaches, high quality people, and a great family.”

Elliott said Trevecca’s athletic department hopes to have a decision made for both positions before student athletes leave for the summer.