Why Matt Insell hired as MTSU women's basketball coach, replacing his dad

It didn't take long for Matt Insell to be named to replace his father, Rick Insell , as Middle Tennessee State women's basketball coach. The announcement of his hire was made simultaneously with news of his Rick Insell's retirement at the conclusion of the 2025-26 on March 19. Matt Insell's role over his eight years with the program, which include recruiting and scouting, made him the logical choice to replace Rick, MTSU athletic director Chris Massaro said.

"We've had the opportunity to watch him up close and his recruiting success, and Rick has given him more and more responsibilities," Massaro said. "It was pretty evident that Matt had all the goods to be the head coach. " Matt Insell, 43, joined his father's staff in 2018 and has been associate head coach for the past five seasons.

He helped the Lady Raiders to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2021, 2023, 2024), while reaching the WNIT semifinals in 2022. He has head coaching experience, guiding the Ole Miss women's program from 2013-18, where he had a 70-87 record. He led Ole Miss to 19 wins and a third-round WNIT appearance in 2014-15.

MORE: How MTSU assistant's wife has battled breast cancer, put sports in perspective "He's got the credentials," Massaro said. "But just watching him and how he runs our program, and those kind of things, and the continuity we would want from the Rick Insell era, I think it's a no-brainer for us. " Before landing the Ole Miss job, Matt Insell was an assistant at Kentucky for five seasons, helping the Lady Wildcats to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including three Elite Eight runs.