Austin College Names Michelle Filander Director of Athletics

SHERMAN, Texas — Austin College President Steven O'Day has announced that the next Director of Athletics for the College will be Michelle Filander, following a national search that garnered a robust pool of candidates from across the country. Filander is currently the head women's basketball coach at Austin College, and also serves as Assistant Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator.  

"We are thrilled to announce that Michelle Filander will take the helm of our athletics department this summer," said O'Day. "Her deep understanding of Division III athletics, and her forward-thinking view of the changes coming to college sports and how those might affect our students are just two examples of the qualities that make Coach Filander an ideal choice for the role. Not only does she know the program and the College inside and out from her many years of experience leading the women's basketball program, but she will also bring some great energy and fresh ideas to the Athletics Director role to continue the momentum that Coach Norman has built up." 

Filander has been head women's basketball coach at Austin College since 2010, after serving as assistant women's basketball coach at Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, and Bethany College in West Virginia. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University and an M.S. in Athletic Coaching Education from West Virginia University. 

During her time at Austin College, Filander has had great success coaching the women's basketball program, having achieved both regional and national rankings. These include two regular season Southern Collegiate Athletics Conference championships and one SCAC tournament championship, making her the all-time wins leader for the program. She was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2018 and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association South Region Coach of the Year in 2019.

Filander has also made significant contributions to the coaching profession and to the College, serving on countless committees for both the SCAC and the NCAA, as well as within the College.  Among many contributions she has made, she chaired the Title IX Sports Equity Task Force; developed the Austin College Student-Athlete Academic Persistence Program; served on the Prologue Committee that developed the College's 2015-2020 strategic plan; and participated in the feasibility studies that led to the addition of men's and women's water polo teams and the cheer program.

"I want to commend the President and everyone who participated in the search process for identifying Michelle Filander as our next Director of Athletics," said current Director of Athletics David Norman. "Michelle has played a pivotal role in the overall athletics department, and we have worked side by side focusing on issues related to improving our department the last 16 years. Her passion and understanding of the complexities of running an athletics department are unmatched. I fully support and endorse the selection of Michelle. The future of Austin College athletics has never been brighter. I hope the entire 'RooNation will join me in supporting our next Athletics Director, Michelle Filander."

Norman announced his plans to retire in summer 2025 last fall, and over the last several months the College has conducted a comprehensive search for the position. 

Filander shared her excitement to step into the role, saying, "I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead a department that I have been so proud to be a part of for the past 16 years. Austin College athletics is a dynamic environment dedicated to the transformational growth of our student-athletes and service to those we impact. We have experienced significant momentum in several facets of the department thanks to the leadership of President O'Day and David Norman and I am looking forward to working hard to bring about continued progress for all of our student athletes and coaches."

Filander will step into the role on July 1, 2025, following Norman's retirement. A search to fill the head women's basketball coach position will begin immediately in anticipation of the transition.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community of approximately 1,200 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators. A student-faculty ratio of 11:1 allows for personalized attention for every student. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students' faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.