Houston Christian University’s Women’s 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’s Basketball, but his journey, character and coaching philosophy make it perfectly clear that he is here to build something meaningful.
For Coach Long, accepting this position this past spring following four years as the head women’s basketball coach at McMurry, in Abilene, Texas, represents a full-circle moment in his journey.
“It’s surreal, honestly. It’s so special,” he says about returning to his hometown. “I remember playing high school games in Sharp Gym… and now being able to coach in that gym is pretty cool.”
With family and friends nearby, Coach Long feels right at home in his new role.
“It’s nice to come home and be a part of a program and a university like this,” he added. “It’s a good fit.”
Coach Long’s basketball story began with older siblings, backyard games and a shared love of the sport. After playing two seasons at Nortwestern, his playing career was cut unexpectedly short after an injury that led to hip surgery.
“The doctors told me I would be out 6-8 weeks, and then they came back and said, ‘No, actually your career is over.’”
But that blow eventually led him to his true calling.
Coach Long’s 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.
“I put a lot of trust and faith in the players,” he explains. “In practice, we simulate game situations, so when we are in a game, they are able to make reads and adjust to different defensive styles.”
This trust extends far beyond the court.
“One of the biggest reasons I got back into coaching was the personal relationships,” he shares. “What you build off the court, that trust leads to special things on the floor.”
When asked how he led McMurry from a 2-26 season to the NCAA Sweet 16 in just four years, Coach Long’s answer was simple:
“It starts with recruiting genuinely good people.” He jokes, “I am too old to be dealing with a bunch of knuckleheads. I want to enjoy coming to work.”
At HCU, his vision for the program is one of unity and accountability.
“We talk a lot about the name on the front of the jersey,” he says. “It’s about who we are as a program and what we represent.”
“At the end of the day, it’s more than just basketball,” he reflects. “These girls will go on to get great jobs, and hopefully become, if they choose to, great mothers and great wives, and to me, that’s the most important part about it.”
As a father to three daughters, Alice, Christy and Emery, Coach Long sees his team as extended family.
“This job has made me a better dad, you know, and being able to see, ‘oh, that might be my kid in four or five years.’”
Coach Long ultimately envisions a culture where his players are “leaders in the classroom, the community and on the floor. Just all-around good people.”
Perhaps the most profound influence on Coach Long’s 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 “a hard reset” which led him to step away from coaching, reassess what truly mattered, and return with a new purpose.
“The whole reason for getting back into coaching was completely different from my original reason for wanting to coach,” he shared. “I always thought to myself, ‘I can be the best, make a huge impact, and change lives’… but the impact those kids at McMurry had on me and my family was far more than I had on them,” he reflected.
“That experience, in a crazy way, saved my life.”
Off the court, Coach 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’s not coaching or dashing between his kids’ countless practices and games, you might find him unwinding by the lake around a fire pit or exploring one of his unexpectedly creative passions.
“I love to barbecue,” Coach Long shares, describing a dedication to 10-12 brisket smoking sessions on his homemade smoker.
Even more surprisingly, he has a background in art and graphic design. “Twelve years ago, I was an art teacher,” he reveals. “I did kindergarten through high school art.”
This creative background still serves him today as he occasionally takes on graphic design projects for friends.
As he begins his journey at Houston Christian University, Coach Long brings a powerful blend of coaching experience, administrative insight and deeply held values that position the program for lasting success.
Stepping into his new role not only marks a new chapter for Coach Long, but signals a bold new era—one 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.
