Jackies Stiles (photo from her website, jstilesonline.com)
Missouri State Lady Bears basketball legend Jackie Stiles interviewed for the Drury University women’s basketball job this week, according to the Springfield News-Leader. Missouri State also continues its search to fill its women’s basketball vacancy. There are three other finalists for the Drury job.
Stiles is a legend in Springfield. She led then-Southwest Missouri State to the Final Four in 2001 and joined the coaching staff of former Bear, Charity Elliott last summer at NCAA Division I Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, CA. Stiles’ interview with Drury comes shortly after Loyola Marymount issued a statement in which it said Elliott and Stiles had not been in direct contact with Missouri State.
Missouri State Athletic Director Kyle Moats has not released any public statements on where the school is at in the hiring process. MSU fired Nyla Milleson on March 18.
Drury is searching for a new coach after Steve Harold resigned March 5. He was 129-52 in six seasons and led the Lady Panthers to five of their 10 consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, a streak that ended this season.