Feldhaus 'fully prepared' to be Missouri Western's women's basketball coach

By TOMMY REZAC

St. Joseph Post

Ashton Feldhaus grew up in Richmond, Kentucky, surrounded by basketball and coaching royalty.

Her father, Allen Feldhaus Jr., has been the head boys’ basketball coach at Madison Central High School in Richmond, Kentucky for 31 years, amassing over 700 career wins in that time.

Ashton’s mother, Karen, is the head cheer coach at Madison Central, and has been for over three decades. She’s led the Indians to 11 state titles and a Universal Cheerleaders Association National Championship in the small varsity division in 2021.

Her uncle, Deron, is a Kentucky Wildcat legend, who played on a 1991-92 team known as the “Unforgettables.”

So, when Ashton got the offer to become the next head women’s basketball coach at Missouri Western State University, she felt more than ready.

“I grew up watching two coaches,” Feldhaus said. “I knew I wanted to do it. I also knew I didn’t want to be a teacher. College athletics was the way for me to go, so I didn’t have to teach. Now, I will just teach the game of basketball to these amazing young women.”

Feldhaus, 28, was picked as the Griffons’ 10th women’s basketball coach on April 15. She was formally introduced at a press conference at Spratt Stadium in St. Joseph on Monday.

Feldhaus comes to Western after a vastly successful stint at Eckerd College – a Division II school in St. Petersburg, Florida.

She spent the last five seasons with the Tritons as an assistant coach, including the last two years as the associate head coach. Feldhaus helped Eckerd to an NCAA tournament bid in each of her five years there, working under longtime head coach Paul Honsinger.

“I feel fully prepared to be standing here in front of you, ready to lead this (Missouri Western) team, but know for certain I could not be here without (Paul),” Feldhaus said of her former boss. “So, I hope he knows how grateful I am. I feel forever indebted to him for starting my career.”

The Tritons posted a 91-28 overall record in Feldhaus’ five years there.

Missouri Western, under Candi Whitaker, went 100-47 in exact that same span, winning a Central region title (2022) and MIAA regular season title (2024) along the way.

“For me, I see nothing but excitement and opportunity,” Feldhaus said, noting Western’s proud history in women’s hoops. “I’m ready to take a bar that’s already set high and a team that’s already won rings and win more. That is the goal and I do not shy away from that.”

Feldhaus will turn 29 this June. Having played at both Butler and UT-Martin, she was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Annual ‘Thirty Under 30’ Class this past March.

Her energy, her vision, her credentials, matched what Missouri Western’s leadership was seeking.

“Energetic, confident, prepared,” Carter said of Feldhaus, recalling his first meeting with her. “Sometimes, when you talk to a group of assistant coaches, you walk out and say, ‘that’s why they’re assistant coaches. They don’t think as a head coach.'”

“It’s clear Ashton already sees herself in that role.”

Carter says over 150 people applied to the job after Whitaker announced her departure for North Alabama on March 25.

That field was narrowed to six finalists on April 2 and then to three by April 8. Feldhaus was chosen a week later.

“There were probably 30-40 coaches in that search process that could do a really good job, but we wanted to find the person who was the very best fit for Missouri Western and our culture and where we’re going and the things we want to accomplish.”

Feldhaus had a brief workout and meeting with the team on Sunday evening at MWSU Fieldhouse. The players will take their final exams this week, and then go home for summer break.

Missouri Western just graduated six seniors. The Griffons have nine players on roster that would be eligible to come back.

In this transfer portal era of college basketball, it’s near impossible to tell who’s going to end up where when the dust settles.

Regardless, Feldhaus is eager to attack this challenge before her, knowing that she can relate to the challenges players are facing today.

She was a college player herself only six years ago.

“It’s awkward, at first, to be honest,” Feldhaus said of the transition. “You’re trying to get to know them, they’re trying to get to know you. I told them, ‘Guys, it’s going to take time. Relationship building takes time.'”

“But, I’m invested in it and here now, so we’re going to do it, and I laid it out for them. I hope they’re as excited as I am, because I thought they’ve been fantastic up to this point.”

Players’ reaction

All nine players who are eligible to return were present Monday. Feldhaus will meet with each player individually in the coming days.

Sophomore forward Kassandra Caron says the new coach is very matter-of-fact and driven to win, but also empathizes with what players are going through on and off the court.

“She talked about her experiences as a college athlete,” Caron said. “She said, ‘I want to make it enjoyable for you.'” It’s nice to have someone who’s been through it recently. They understand and know how hard it is to balance those academics and athletics while traveling.”

Freshman guard, Benton graduate and St. Joseph native Kelsey Johnson was also impressed with the energy Feldhaus has brought.

“She brought so much energy,” Johnson said. “It was her first time out there coaching us, and she brought that drive for us. I think it’ll be a great next couple years for us.”

“She’s young, but she knows what she’s talking about and she’s confident. We love the way she coaches, so I’m excited.”

Audio from Monday

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.