Houston Christian University鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Basketball Program has a new leader at the helm, with deep roots, a clear vision and a story that students and fans can rally behind. Coach Drew Long may be new to the sidelines of HCU Women鈥檚 Basketball, but his journey, character and coaching philosophy make it perfectly clear that he is here to build something meaningful.
For Long, accepting the position this past spring following four years as the head women鈥檚 basketball coach at McMurry University, in Abilene, Texas, represents a full-circle moment in his journey.
鈥淚t鈥檚 surreal, honestly. It鈥檚 so special,鈥� he says about returning to his hometown. 鈥淚 remember playing high school games in Sharp Gym鈥� and now being able to coach in that gym is pretty cool.鈥�
With family and friends nearby, Long feels right at home in his new role.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to come home and be a part of a program and a university like this,鈥� he added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good fit.鈥�
Long鈥檚 basketball story began with older siblings, backyard games and a shared love of the sport. After playing two seasons at Northwestern University, his playing career was cut unexpectedly short after an injury that led to hip surgery.
鈥淭he doctors told me I would be out six to eight weeks, and then they came back and said, 鈥楴o, actually your career is over.鈥欌��
But that blow eventually led him to his true calling.
Long鈥檚 approach to the game is refreshingly player-centered, emphasizing trust and real-world preparation. Rather than micromanaging through constant play calls, he prepares his players to think independently and adapt on the court.
鈥淚 put a lot of trust and faith in the players,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚n practice, we simulate game situations, so when we are in a game, they are able to make reads and adjust to different defensive styles.鈥�
This trust extends far beyond the court.
鈥淥ne of the biggest reasons I got back into coaching was the personal relationships,鈥� he shares. 鈥淲hat you build off the court, that trust, leads to special things on the floor.鈥�
When asked how he led McMurry from a 2-26 season to the NCAA Sweet 16 in just four years, Long鈥檚 answer was simple:
鈥淚t starts with recruiting genuinely good people.鈥� He jokes, 鈥淚 am too old to be dealing with a bunch of knuckleheads. I want to enjoy coming to work.鈥�
At HCU, his vision for the program is one of unity and accountability.
鈥淲e talk a lot about the name on the front of the jersey,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about who we are as a program and what we represent.鈥�
DREW LONG,
HCU Women鈥檚 Basketball Coach
鈥淎t the end of the day, it鈥檚 more than just basketball,鈥� he reflects. 鈥淭hese girls will go on to get great jobs, and hopefully become, if they choose to, great mothers and great wives, and to me, that鈥檚 the most important part about it.”
As a father to three daughters, Alice, Christy and Emery, Long sees his team as extended family.
鈥淭his job has made me a better dad, you know, and being able to see, 鈥榦h, that might be my kid in four or five years.鈥欌��
Long ultimately envisions a culture where his players are 鈥渓eaders in the classroom, the community and on the floor and just all-around good people.鈥�
Perhaps the most profound influence on Long鈥檚 coaching philosophy happened entirely outside of the sport. After leaving his coaching position at the Air Force Academy, he received a cancer diagnosis that fundamentally shifted his priorities. He had what he calls 鈥渁 hard reset鈥� which led him to step away from coaching, reassess what truly mattered and return with a new purpose.
鈥淭he whole reason for getting back into coaching was completely different from my original reason for wanting to coach,鈥� he shared. 鈥淚 always thought to myself, 聽鈥業 can be the best, make a huge impact and change lives鈥欌�� but the impact those kids at McMurry had on me and my family was far more than I had on them,鈥� he reflected.
鈥淭hat experience, in a crazy way, saved my life.鈥�
Off the court, Long is a devoted family man who enjoys spending time with his wife, Melissa, their three daughters and four dogs, Buster, Rhymes, Biggie and Gia.
When he鈥檚 not coaching or dashing between his kids鈥� countless practices and games, you might find him unwinding by the lake around a fire pit or exploring one of his unexpectedly creative passions.
鈥淚 love to barbecue,鈥� Long shares, describing a dedication to 10- to 12-hour brisket smoking sessions on his homemade smoker.
Even more surprisingly, he has a background in art and graphic design. 鈥淭welve years ago, I was an art teacher,鈥� he reveals. 鈥淚 did kindergarten through high school art.鈥�
This creative background still serves him today as he occasionally takes on graphic design projects for friends.
As he embarks on his second season as head coach, Long brings a powerful blend of coaching experience, administrative insight and deeply held values that position the program for lasting success.
His first year at HCU not only marked a new chapter for Long but signaled a bold new era for HCU women鈥檚 basketball鈥攐ne defined by his unwavering commitment to trust, discipline and genuine care for his players. His vision reaches far beyond the scoreboard, as he aims to build a culture of excellence both on and off the field.