Darby Maggard // Bruin Alumni ’19

One of the most decorated players in Belmont University women’s basketball history will be leading her own program as Bruin legend Darby Maggard was recently named head coach of the Huntington University women’s basketball team. She returns to her hometown with Huntington located just 23 miles southeast of Larwill, Indiana, where Maggard grew up.

A Hoosier State star, Maggard was one of the best players to ever come from the greater Fort Wayne, Indiana, area. Prepping at Fort Wayne Canterbury, Maggard was Indiana Miss Basketball Runner-Up in 2015, a McDonald’s All-America nominee and an Indiana All-Star Team selection. She was tabbed 2015 21 Alive Fort Wayne Girls Basketball Player of the Year and 2015 News-Sentinel Player of the Year.

Belmont’s lone Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year (2018-19), Maggard finished her superb four-year Bruin career as one of the most prolific shooters in NCAA women’s basketball history. Leading Belmont to four consecutive OVC Tournament titles, four NCAA Tournament appearances and three OVC regular season championships, Maggard is the Bruins’ career record holder in made three-point field goals (430), three-point field goal percentage (43.1) and free-throw percentage (92.4). A Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America honorable mention honoree, Maggard became only the fourth Belmont player and first of the Division I era to eclipse 2,000 career points (2,031).

Maggard is the only player in NCAA history to dish out at least 650 assists while also making more than 400 three-pointers. She finished fourth in the NCAA all-time in made three-pointers and was tabbed both Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Player of the Year and OVC Female Athlete of Year as a senior. All four seasons Maggard was an All-OVC First Team pick and landed a spot on the OVC All-Tournament Team. Additionally, she was a semifinalist at the 2019 State Farm College 3-Point Championship.

Following her illustrious collegiate career, Maggard played professionally in Ireland before joining the coaching ranks at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She served as a graduate assistant for the Skyhawks during the 2020-21 season prior to being promoted to a full-time assistant. In her role, Maggard was responsible for recruitment, player development and game preparation.

Maggard received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in sport administration and went on to earn a Masterof Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee.

Huntington is a member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics).