Middle Tennessee State University Women's Basketball

Matt Insell was named the eighth head coach in Middle Tennessee women’s basketball history in 2026, continuing a family legacy while ushering the Blue Raiders into a new era. A familiar figure in Murfreesboro and a key contributor to the program’s success, Insell returned to his alma mater in 2018 and spent eight seasons on staff, including four as associate head coach. During that time, he helped elevate Middle Tennessee into a consistent national contender, contributing to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2021, 2023, 2024) and a WNIT semifinal run in 2022. Insell was instrumental in one of the most successful stretches in program history. The 2023–24 team finished 30–5 overall, swept the Conference USA regular season and tournament championships, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 with a win over Louisville. Middle Tennessee also earned its first end-of-season national ranking since 2010, finishing No. 23 in the AP Top 25 following the 2022–23 campaign. Known for his detailed preparation, analytical approach, and ability to connect with student-athletes, Insell has built a reputation as one of the top player development coaches in the country—particularly with guards. His influence has helped produce numerous All-Conference selections, All-Americans, and professional players, while his recruiting efforts have brought elite talent to Murfreesboro, including McDonald’s All-Americans and conference award winners. Before returning to Middle Tennessee, Insell serv

UPDATED: June 2025 No coach in Middle Tennessee women’s basketball history has produced more success than Rick Insell. Entering his 20th season in 2025-26, Insell has guided the Blue Raiders to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, six WNITs, one WBIT, coached seven All-Americans, and developed five WNBA Draft picks. Since taking over his alma mater’s program in 2005, the nine-time hall of fame inductee has built Middle Tennessee into one of the nation’s winningest programs, establishing a championship standard and national prominence unmatched in program history. Career Highlights Career Wins 1,264-313 (48 seasons) at Middle Tenneessee 489-165 (20 Seasons) at Shelbyville Central HS 775-148 (28 Seasons) Hall of Fame Inductions Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (2003)... National High School Hall of Fame (2007)... Naismith Hall of Fame Morgan Wootten Award for Lifetime Achievement in High School Girls Basketball (2010)... Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (2012)... Cannon County Sports Hall of Fame (2013)... Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2017)... Blue Raider Sports Hall of Fame (2017)... Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee (2021)... Conference USA Hall of Fame (Class of 2025). Middle Tennessee (2005–Present) Middle Tennessee’s all-time winningest basketball coach (men’s or women’s) with 489 career victories... 20 consecutive postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA Tournaments... .748 career winning percentage (19th nationally among active Division I coaches).

UPDATED: April 2026 A veteran of collegiate women’s basketball, Kim Brewton enters her 17th season with the Blue Raiders in 2026–27 after joining Head Coach Rick Insell’s staff in July 2010. A steady and respected presence on the Middle Tennessee bench, Brewton brings more than two decades of coaching experience, a sharp eye for guard development, and a proven record of success at every level of the game. Brewton’s experience and basketball acumen have made her an invaluable part of the Blue Raider program. She has been a driving force behind Middle Tennessee’s sustained success and has played a major role in developing one of the most dynamic and productive backcourts in the nation year after year. Her responsibilities include recruiting, scouting, player development—particularly with guards—and the day-to-day preparation of the Blue Raider basketball team. During her tenure, Brewton has helped shape some of the most accomplished guards in program history. She has directly coached eight 1,000-point scorers—Ty Petty, Kortni Jones, Icelyn Elie, Anne Marie Lanning, Olivia Jones, Anastasia Hayes, Jalynn Gregory, and Savannah Wheeler—cementing her reputation as one of the premier guard coaches in the country. Brewton has guided multiple All-Americans and CUSA award winners, including Anastasia Hayes, who was named CUSA Player of the Year in 2020–21 after finishing second nationally in scoring (26.5 ppg) and earning CUSA Newcomer of the Year honors the prior season. Savannah Wheel

UPDATED: April 2026 A rising star in the coaching ranks and one of the most accomplished players in Big 12 history, Nina Davis enters her seventh season as an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee in 2026–27. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Davis brings over two decades of experience to the Blue Raider bench through a career that spans playing, coaching, and broadcasting at the highest levels of the game. Since joining Head Coach Rick Insell’s staff in 2019, Davis has become a cornerstone of the Blue Raider program. She is actively involved in all aspects of Middle Tennessee women’s basketball, including recruiting, on-court coaching, scouting, and player development. Her passion, energy, and elite understanding of post play have made her one of the nation’s most respected young assistants—a reputation underscored when the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) named her to its prestigious Thirty Under 30 list in March 2023, honoring the top 30 assistant coaches in the country under the age of 30. Davis made an immediate impact during the 2025–26 season with the development of Blair Baugus, who earned Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. Under Davis’s guidance, Baugus emerged as one of the league’s top newcomers, displaying maturity, versatility, and a strong feel for the game while making an instant impact for the Blue Raiders. Her success further reflects Davis’s ability to develop talent across multiple positions and help young players thrive early in their car

UPDATED: April 2026 Shelby Davis enters her second season as Assistant Coach – Coordinator of Basketball Relations on Head Coach Rick Insell’s staff, continu...

UPDATED: April 2026 A veteran of the women’s basketball coaching ranks and one of the most respected analytical minds in the game, Tom Hodges enters his fifth season as Director of Analytics for Middle Tennessee women’s basketball in 2026–27. A Shelbyville, Tennessee native, Hodges brings a wealth of experience and success to the Blue Raider program, having served on Head Coach Rick Insell’s staff during multiple championship eras. His deep understanding of the game, recruiting background, and ability to merge traditional coaching principles with advanced analytics have made him an integral part of the Blue Raider operation. This marks Hodges’ third stint at Middle Tennessee, previously serving on Insell’s staff from 2005–10 and 2014–17. Across those tenures, the Blue Raiders captured four Sun Belt Conference titles, a Conference USA championship, and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances while developing some of the most prolific scorers and rebounders in program history. In his current role, Hodges oversees all aspects of analytics, including opponent scouting, game preparation, advanced statistical breakdowns, and player efficiency analysis. His work blends film study with modern metrics—such as shot charts, lineup data, and tempo-based evaluation—to enhance both individual development and team performance. Hodges’ impact was evident during the 2025–26 season with the emergence of Blair Baugus, who earned Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. Utilizing detailed perfor