Staff Directory
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- 816-235-1013
Joining the ‘Roos in 2010 from the staff of two-time National Champion Baylor, Meredith Doyle brings a championship caliber pedigree to the Kansas City women’s basketball program.
“We were fortunate to have someone of Meredith’s caliber already on staff here at UMKC,” Kansas City Head Coach Marsha Frese said. “As a head coach it’s always reassuring to have assistant coaches as invested in a program as you are and definitely helps you sleep better at night. Meredith is passionate and fiery and works hard to get better at her craft every single day.”
During her time with the Kangaroos, Doyle has helped guide the program to just their second postseason appearance in school history when they earned their first ever trip to the WNIT in 2012 under current Texas Tech Head Coach Candace Whitaker. That season, the ‘Roos recorded the second most wins in school history with 22, including the most road (six) and neutral wins (four) in school history.
“I first came to work for UMKC as an assistant coach under Coach Whitaker and serve as recruiting coordinator,” Doyle said. “When (current Head Coach Marsha) Frese was announced as the head coach I knew I wanted to stay on staff because she has a reputation for being an elite recruiter and there was a tremendous opportunity for me to learn from her. I was blessed for her to keep me on staff and have grown so much as a recruiting coordinator and assistant coach. Coach Frese truly cares about the well-being of the student athlete and their future on and off the court. She carries relationships with players beyond the four years they play at the institution and truly has the best interest of the student athlete in mind at all times.”
Prior to joining the ‘Roos, Doyle spent two years as a graduate assistant under Lady Bears’ Head Coach Kim Mulkey, the first person ever to win a National Championship as a player, assistant coach and head coach, a 2000 inductee into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the fourth winningest coach among active coaches, where she was responsible for film breakdown and preparing scouting reports. She also organized and directed the all-male practice squad, known as the ‘BU Dream Team’ and aided the summer basketball camps and the Baylor women’s basketball strength and conditioning program.
While at Baylor, Doyle’s proudest coaching memory was helping the Lady Bears reach the Sweet 16 in 2005-2006 where they lost to eventual National Champion Maryland and head coach Brenda Frese, sister of current UMKC Head Coach Marsha Frese. The next season, the squad followed it up by an appearance in the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2006-07 after being crowned champions of the Preseason WNIT earlier in the season. Under her tutelage, two Lady Bears were named All-Americans, including current WNBA player Sophia Young.
After her stint at Baylor, Doyle stayed in Texas, becoming an assistant at Stephen F. Austin under former National junior College Coach of the Year Lee Ann Riley. With the Ladyjacks, Doyle helped lead the team to the 2009-10 Southland Conference Championship and a spot in the WNIT, while helping guard Nikki Carr to the 2008 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year award.
During her playing days at Abilene Christian, Doyle served as the captain for three years and was an honorable mention all-conference player, while off the court, she was academic all-conference, served as the Vice President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and was the recipient of the University Scholar Award in Exercise Science.
As a coach, Doyle is passionate about getting the most out of the student-athletes she works with. The players often refer to her as Coach Dole (like the fruit) and imitate her intensity and serious faces she makes while coaching.
Off the court, the native Texan loves to cook out, stay active by working out and attend concerts during the summer months. Meredith and her family live in Kansas City with their six year old Golden Retriever, Hadley.
“I love Kansas City! It is a place with endless options and opportunities while still retaining a small city feel with hometown charm,” Doyle said. “K.C. offers something for everyone - shopping, professional sports, art, music, amusement parks, outdoor adventures and, of course, the best BBQ around! UMKC is a campus with high caliber academics and professional programs including the nationally acclaimed entrepreneurship program and the six-year medical program. Mimicking the feel of Kansas City, UMKC has numerous opportunities, while retaining a small campus atmosphere and close knit community. The campus is unique, while located in an urban setting it offers ample green space - swapping parks, trees and trails for the traditional tall buildings of city campus living.”
Academically, Doyle received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and modern history from Abilene Christian University in December 2004 and received her master’s degree in sports management from Baylor in May 2007.
Coaching Motto: “If what you did yesterday still seems big today, you haven’t done much today."
