Northwest Nazarene University Athletic Director Kelli Lindley announced the hiring of Steve Steele as the new head women's basketball coach.

"We feel incredibly blessed to have someone with Steve's background, experience, and character taking over our women's basketball program," Lindley said. "Having already coached in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, Steve understands what it takes to compete at this level and the challenges and opportunities that exist."

Steele spent the last five years as a top assistant in the NCAA Division II West Region, including the last three years at GNAC rival Seattle Pacific. He was also a top assistant at Concordia Irvine, his alma mater, for two seasons prior to his time at SPU.

"First of all, I'm humbled and flattered that Kelli would consider me," Steele said. "I'm excited to work at NNU; there's a lot of great people and talent here."

Steele graduated from Concordia Irvine (California) in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in religion, earned an Education Specialist Credential from National University (California) in 2005, and received a master's in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia Irvine in 2013.

Prior to his five years experience as a top collegiate assistant, he spent 12 seasons as a top assistant at California powerhouse Brea Olinda High School, where his team won the 2009 national championship and had a combined record of 360-49.

Steele also taught special education and general education for 13 years at Brea Olinda and El Camino Real High Schools while coaching in California.

--Northwest Nazarene University