Veteran Division II coach Marrin to lead women’s basketball team
Molly Marrin, who led Regis University’s women’s basketball team to three NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and two consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament championships during a decade at the helm, has been named coach of Sonoma State University’s women’s basketball team.
Marrin, who will lead a Seawolves squad that returns to action in fall 2027 following a two-year hiatus, compiled a 169-115 head-coaching record at Regis from 2015 to 2025. She has also worked in recruiting and player development at several Division I schools, including the University of Denver, the University of San Francisco, North Dakota State University, Wright State University, and the University of Northern Colorado.
“We are excited to welcome a leader whose vision for this program is built on hard work and a standard of excellence that will elevate our student athletes to new heights,” said Joan McDermott, SSU Interim Director of Athletics. “Coach Marrin is a proven winner, but most important, she has a deep understanding of how to develop student athletes on and off the court. She embodies the philosophy of ‘student first, athlete second’.”
Marrin, who was named South Central Region Coach of the Year in 2023 and was a finalist for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year award, also had a four-year playing career at Regis, earning first-team All-RMAC
honors and two selections to the RMAC All-Tournament Team. She was also recognized as the Denver-based university’s Female Student Athlete of the Year. She graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in communications, and also holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Northern Colorado University.
Throughout her career, she has emphasized recruiting, player development, and building successful on- and off-court cultures for students. Her experience includes identifying and recruiting top talent, coordinating recruiting strategies, and building relationships with high school and club programs.
“I would like to thank President Spagna and AD McDermott for the incredible opportunity to lead the Seawolves Women’s basketball program into this exciting new chapter. I strongly believe in their student-centered vision and am committed to making that approach a core value of our women’s basketball program,” Marrin said.
“Seawolves fans can look forward to a women’s basketball program committed to serving the community and built around high-character student-athletes. Next season, we will bring a tough, up-tempo, and exciting brand of basketball to the court.”
Marrin’s most successful stretch at Regis was during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, when Regis established itself among the region’s top programs. In 2022-23, the Rangers captured both the RMAC regular-season and tournament titles, completing their first sweep of the conference championships since 2007. The following season, Marrin led Regis to a 26-6 record, tying the program’s single-season wins record, earning a share of the RMAC regular-season championship and securing a second consecutive conference tournament title.
"Coach Marrin's reputation for building successful teams on and off the court meshes perfectly with Sonoma State's emphasis on community and character," SSU President Michael Spagna said. "Her skills establishing and growing relationships with student athletes and creating a culture of success promise great things for Seawolves athletics and for the campus community."
After leaving Regis in 2025, Marrin expanded her leadership and player-development work by founding Level Up Coaching, a basketball training and consulting organization that helps athletes navigate the recruiting process, improve their skills, and prepare for collegiate opportunities. She also expanded into broadcasting, serving as a women’s basketball analyst for the University of Wyoming and the Mountain West Network.
A native of Dallas, Marrin played high school basketball for Ursuline Academy College Preparatory School and was a three-time letter winner, three-time First Team All State, three-time Team MVP, and three-time First Team All-District. She also lettered twice and earned All-State Honorable Mention and All-District First Team honors in volleyball, as well as lettering three times in track and field and being named All-District as a freshman.