With the departure of Mike Neighbors as the head coach of the Arkansas women’s basketball team, the program is now searching for a new leader to take the reins. Among the rumored candidates, Grand Canyon University head coach Molly Miller and Arkansas State’s Destinee Rogers have emerged as top contenders for the job. Both bring unique qualifications and impressive coaching resumes, making them intriguing options for the Razorbacks.

Molly Miller: A Proven Winner at Every Level

One of the hottest coaching names in women’s college basketball, Molly Miller has built a reputation as a winner. She led Grand Canyon University to a remarkable 30-2 record this season, boasting the nation’s longest active win streak at 28 games while going undefeated in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Her career record at GCU stands at an impressive 114-37 over five seasons, and her dominance extends back to her time at Drury University, where she compiled a staggering 180-17 mark in six years at the Division II level.

Miller’s ability to build a powerhouse program cannot be overstated. She has turned GCU Arena into one of the toughest venues for opposing teams, leading the Lopes to a 50-12 home record under her leadership. Despite being a top candidate for both Arizona State and Arkansas, Miller has remained focused on her current team’s tournament aspirations.

“There is no distraction for me,” Miller told midmajormadness.com. “My team and myself are so locked. We have a saying, ‘We didn’t come this far to come this far.’ It is all eyes on the prize.”

If Arkansas is looking for a proven winner with experience elevating programs to new heights, Miller would be an ideal choice. However, with Arizona State also in the mix, it remains to be seen which program will land her.

Destinee Rogers: A Homegrown Coaching Talent

Another strong candidate for the Arkansas job is Destinee Rogers, the current head coach of Arkansas State. In just her third year at the helm, Rogers has led the Red Wolves to a 21-10 record and, more significantly, their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. A native of Strong, Arkansas, Rogers has deep ties to the state, making her a particularly compelling candidate for the Razorbacks.

Rogers played college basketball at the University of Central Arkansas, where she was a three-year starter for the Sugar Bears. Before taking over at Arkansas State, she served as an assistant and associate head coach for three years before being named interim head coach in the 2021-22 season. Her impact has been immediate, and she has already developed key talent, including First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection Izzy Higginbottom.

Given her Arkansas roots and her ability to lead a program to new milestones, Rogers could be an attractive hire for the Razorbacks. While she lacks the extensive head coaching experience of Miller, her knowledge of the state’s basketball landscape and recruiting pipeline could make her an excellent long-term choice.

Who Will Arkansas Choose?

Miller brings a track record of winning at multiple levels and an ability to build powerhouse programs, while Rogers offers a deep connection to Arkansas and has already proven she can lead a team to historic achievements.

Ultimately, the decision will come down to what the Razorbacks prioritize: experience and a winning pedigree or homegrown talent with strong ties to the state. Either way, Arkansas fans should be excited about the future of the program under new leadership.