Hana Haden recently took on an exciting role as the 14th head coach of the women’s basketball program. This news came on March 26, 2026, and it marked a new chapter for both Haden and the team.
Before joining the Tigers, Haden was a standout at Georgia Southern. There, she led the Eagles to an impressive season with a record of 23-8, including a remarkable 16-2 in conference play. Despite being predicted to finish last in the preseason coaches’ poll, her team clinched their first regular-season title in 25 years and earned a spot in the WBIT.
Haden’s coaching magic showed immediately. In her first season at Georgia Southern, the Eagles saw a dramatic turnaround, improving from a previous record of 4-14 to 16-18, including a 6-12 mark in the Sun Belt. They won seven of their last eleven games, a feat that included two wins in the conference tournament.
Statistics from the 2025-26 season highlighted the Eagles’ growth. They emerged as one of the top Group of Five teams, ranking 73rd in the NET and 17th in College Insider’s Mid Major Top 25. In terms of efficiency, they finished 77th nationally in offensive efficiency and were recognized for their strong shooting percentage.
A key player in Haden’s success was senior wing Kishyah Anderson. In her first year under Haden, Anderson earned the Sun Belt Player of the Year title, averaging 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Her shooting stats were impressive, with 50.6% from the field and 46.7% from three-point range.
Haden brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Over ten seasons, she has an impressive coaching record of 224-91. Her previous success includes a standout season at Georgia Southwestern State, where she achieved a 29-4 record and won multiple accolades, including being named the WBCA Division II National Coach of the Year.
Her background also includes a fruitful tenure at Moberly Area Community College, where she led her team to five NJCAA Region 16 tournament appearances and developed numerous players who moved on to compete at senior colleges. One of those players, DeAnna Wilson, scored 1,585 points at Illinois State, marking her place in the school’s history.
Haden’s journey began at a young age when she became head coach at Harris-Stowe State University at just 23. There, she led the team to their first back-to-back winning seasons in almost three decades. Haden’s passion for basketball started in Springfield, Missouri, where she played at Western Carolina and helped the team reach significant milestones.
With Haden at the helm, the future looks bright for the women’s basketball program. Her track record of building winning teams and developing talent gives fans hope for a successful season ahead.
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