Nathan Moran has been promoted to head coach of the Trevecca Nazarene University men’s basketball program, Athletic Director Mark Elliott announced today.
Moran, a Lipscomb University and BGA graduate, becomes the eleventh head coach in program history. He was promoted to associate head coach before last season and spent the past two seasons as Kevin Carroll‘s assistant, helping to navigate a dramatic turnaround of the Trojan program.
Elliott described the atmosphere the new head coach brings to his new role. “There is an energy in the building whenever Nate is in it. He brings confidence and humility to our program,” he said. “His superpower is forming a connection with our players. Nate brings his own style of leadership and coaching, culled from playing and coaching under successful coaches. He has fully bought into our athletic department’s philosophy of Christian, Scholar, Athlete.”
Moran brings an impressive resume as a coach and player. Working alongside Carroll, he helped Trevecca earn its highest two-year win total in its NCAA Division II era with a 35-23 overall record and a 25-17 mark in conference play. Considering that the previous six seasons produced a 37-127 overall record, the magnitude of the turnaround is amplified. Those six teams were 23-95 in conference play.
In Moran’s first year with Carroll, what had been the lowest-ranked NCAA Division II offense the previous year evolved quickly into being one of the best in Division II. The Trojans used that offense to qualify for two consecutive postseason conference tournament appearances and hosted their first postseason game in Trevecca’s NCAA era this year.
“We are committed to establishing a championship culture that emphasizes both personal and athletic development,” Moran said. “Our mission is to guide our student-athletes toward success in every avenue of life they pursue.”
This season, the Trojans moved to the historically strong NCAA DII South Region as part of the Gulf South Conference. The Trojans showed they belong by earning a D2CCA South Region ranking for 12 consecutive weeks.
University President Dan Boone said of the search, “In looking for our next coach, we prioritized our mission of shaping young men to be Christian, Scholar, Athlete. Nate Moran is a leader who embodies these values. He brings passion and energy to the team. We have embraced Nate as a member of the Trevecca community and welcome him as our head coach.”
“To the past and present players and Trevecca community, I can’t express how grateful I am,” Moran said. “We will work to build a team that not only performs on the court but also inspires others through our values and community impact.”
Moran began his coaching career during the 2019-20 season as a graduate assistant at Missouri Western State University, where he served on the coaching staff of Sundance Wicks. Moran helped Wicks lead Missouri Western to its most wins in over a decade, its first winning season in ten years, and its most conference wins in 18 years. Moran coached First Team All-MIAA selection Tyrell Carroll, and Honorable Mentions Tyus Milhollin and Will Eames. Wicks is now leading the Wyoming program after leading Wisconsin Green Bay to one of NCAA history’s most significant program turnarounds.
His next stop was with coach Bubba Smith at Lee University, where, as a top assistant coach, he helped the Flames to a Top-25 ranking and the program’s first NCAA Tournament win. He also coached Gulf South Conference East Division Player of the Year Quay Kennedy and Second Team selection Beyuan Hendricks.
Moran turned his successful stint at Lee to earn his first head coaching opportunity at Copley High School in Copley Township, Ohio. Moran led Copley — his wife Brooke’s alma mater—through a season of transition, culminating in an upset victory over #13-seed Berea Midpark in the first round of the state tournament.
Moran played collegiately for Casey Alexander at Lipscomb University. Alexander, now the head coach at Belmont University, awarded Moran a scholarship after one season as a walk-on. Moran rewarded Alexander by producing 1,140 career points and dishing out 405 assists. His teammates confirmed his leadership as they voted him their team captain as a junior. He graduated with a BBA in Marketing / Entrepreneurship.
As a player at Lipscomb, in 2018, the Bison won the ASUN Tournament Champions and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. In 2019, Lipscomb won the ASUN Regular
Season Championship and finished as the NIT Runner-Up.
He led the Bison to three consecutive 20+ win seasons in four seasons at Lipscomb. Moran added 258 rebounds and 110 steals to his impressive stats listing. His career free throw average was 85.4 percent, and he was a 37 percent three-point shooter. Moran finished his career by helping the Bisons to the NIT championship game at Madison Square Garden in 2019. He was part of a Lipscomb senior class that finished with the most wins in a season in the Division I era. Moran was also part of the program’s first-ever win over a ranked team and NCAA Tournament appearance (2018). Moran helped Lipscomb win the 2019 ASUN regular season championship and the 2018 ASUN tournament championship.
Moran prepped at Battleground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee, where he helped the Wildcats to the 2014 TSSAA state championship. He was named MVP after scoring 17 points in the championship game. As a senior, he led BGA to a 31-3 record, averaging 18.3 points and 4.8 assists per game.
Carroll knew he was hiring his potential successor when he added Moran to Trevecca’s staff ahead of the 2023-24 season. “Nate has an infectious personality and coaches with the same passion he displayed on the court,” Carroll said. “He has also proven himself to be a phenomenal recruiter, tactician, and developer of young men.”
Moran’s wife, Brooke, is an alumna of Lipscomb University and a four-year starter with the Bison soccer program. They have two children, Roman and Remi.
More from Nate Moran
“I want to thank my wife, Brooke. She has stood by my side through every high and low and has been my rock, Moran said. “Her Christ-centered focus constantly reminds me that God is in control. Being a coach’s wife isn’t easy, but she makes it look effortless. This wouldn’t be possible without her commitment to our family and this calling.”
On building a championship culture focused on personal and athletic development:
“We are committed to establishing a championship culture that emphasizes both personal and athletic development. Our mission is to guide our student-athletes toward success in every avenue of life they pursue — on and off the floor.”
Thanking Kevin Carroll
“Thank you to coach Carroll for giving me the opportunity,” said Moran. “Kevin taught me an incredible amount about the game of basketball. While my understanding of the game has grown tremendously under his leadership, he has taught me even more about being a better man, husband, and father. Most importantly, I’ve gained a best friend.”
The future vision in the Moran Era
“The hiring process is underway, and I believe in bringing in men who genuinely care. I desire to retain our current staff while adding new faces who will complement our mission and culture.”
Thanks to Mark Elliott and Trevecca’s Administration
“I want to thank Mark Elliott for this opportunity. I’ve come to know Mark not only as a great athletic director but as a friend and mentor in Christ. Working alongside a man of such integrity is a privilege I don’t take for granted. I’m incredibly thankful.”
“Since joining Trevecca, it’s been clear no other athletic program receives the kind of support from their president the way we do. Dan Boone, his wife Denise, and family are consistently present at games and invested in relationships beyond the court,” Moran said. “That kind of commitment makes Trevecca truly special.”
