LINDA NASH
Head Coach

Entering her 13th year at Aquinas College, Head Coach Linda Nash is looking to build on a solid foundation with the return of seven varsity players that all experienced quality playing time last season.  The Saints are coming off their fourth consecutive 20+ winning season and a trip to the NAIA national tournament for the second time in the last four years. 

Last season, Nash notched her 200th career victory and the Saints qualified for the national tournament by stringing together a seven game winning streak to capture the WHAC Tournament championship and an automatic berth to Sioux City, IA.  The Saints have been ranked in the top 25 in the nation for three straight years and they have proven that they are an elite program in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). 

Although the Saints graduated three starters, the cupboard is far from bare for the Saints.  Nash comments , “We have a solid group of veterans.  We graduated three seniors that left a big impact on the program.  Our philosophy is to reload.  There’s always someone in the background looking to fill vacancies and this year will be no different.  It’s a team game and we strive for balance.  We are at our best when we have four players averaging in double figures.”

Nash is adamant that she uses basketball to learn about life and to become a stronger individual.  This past spring, Nash spent ten very challenging days with a group of students from Aquinas College in Haiti.  “I literally felt like I was counting the seconds on some days hoping for the sun to go down.  It was so hot and my eyes were not prepared for some of the things that I witnessed even though I had been there before.  My travel gives me perspective.  I teach perspective to my team.  When the going gets tough, there’s always someone there to pick you up.  That’s what a team is all about.  We all have the ability in us to hopefully make the world a better place.  That’s what makes me the happiest when I talk to former players that have come through the program...doing good things!”, says Nash.

Nash prepped at local Kenowa Hills High School and  she was a member of their inaugural class inducted into the Hall of Fame.  She had her basketball jersey retired.  After high school, Nash was a four year starting point guard for Central Michigan University where she earned a double major in Psychology and Physical Education.

Upon graduation from CMU, Nash then headed south to Cookeville, TN where she earned a Masters Degree in Health and Physical Education from Tennessee Tech University.  While at Tech, Nash worked with current WNBA head coach Marynell Meadors of the Atlanta Dream.  The Golden Eagles women’s basketball program is one the premier programs in the country, ranked seventh in the nation in most wins all-time in Division I.  Nash then moved to Houston, Texas, where she served as an assistant coach at Rice University for three years.

Nash then spent two years in Boston, MA working in the Health Club industry.  After a short stint in Lansing, MI working at the Michigan Athletic Club (The MAC) as a manager, Nash moved back to her hometown realizing her true love was in the gym and coaching basketball.  The rest is history and Nash says she is having the time of her life!

Steve Morgan begins his fifth year as the trainer of the women’s basketball program.  His tough approach to training has contributed greatly to the success the team has experienced.  Coach Nash says, “Morgan helps instill a toughness to our program.  If you train with Steve you will be a better athlete.  I have witnessed players make so many strides athletically because of our training program.  He’s very demanding and his attention to detail can never be underestimated. 

Most of our players made a commitment to train this summer and it shows.  We call it our “X” factor.  When the game is on the line and we need a burst, we can look one another in the eye and know that nobody has trained harder than we have.  It is one of the basic foundations of our program.  The weak need not apply.  If you want to work hard, this is the program for you.”

Morgan is a graduate of Michigan State University where he was a member of the baseball team.  He is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the American Council on Exercise, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.  Morgan is currently running his business, Maximum Athletic Performance, in Grand Ledge, MI.  His training has taken him all over the world, conducting workshops in over 36 countries on the topics of strength conditioning, exercise physiology and health club management.