(Story provided by Montreat Sports Communications)
MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat College athletic department announced the hiring of Peter Heron as its head women's basketball coach earlier this week.
Heron comes to Montreat following a few short stints as an assistant coach. Most recently, the Hartselle, Ala. native served as an assistant coach at Belmont Abbey College where the Crusaders accumulated a 46-13 record over his two seasons on staff. BAC was the Conference Carolinas (CC) Regular Season Champion in 2022-23 and the CC Tournament Runner-Up both years, while developing four all-conference athletes and the CC Freshman of the Year.
"I am honored, thrilled, and incredibly blessed to be named the head women's basketball coach at Montreat College. None of this would be possible without my faith and relationship with our Lord, Savior, and King, Jesus Christ. I am who I am because of His sacrificial love," mentioned Heron. "I would like to thank President Maurer, Jose, Garrett and all the staff at Montreat who believed in me and gave me this opportunity to join such an amazingly faith-filled community that truly cares about the well-being of each student and person who comes through Montreat."
Prior to Belmont Abbey, Heron spent one year at three stops. He was an assistant coach for Benedictine when the Ravens made the NAIA National Tournament and advanced to the Round of 32 with a 22-11 record. There, four athletes garnered all-conference honors and the team reached its lowest points per game allowed in 20 seasons.
Before Benedictine, Heron assisted at Lenoir-Rhyne University for one season. Though the Bears finished that campaign at 6-14, the team had the South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year. The season prior, Heron was an assistant coach for the men's basketball team at Benedictine. The men touted a 17-14 record and two all-conference athletes.
"My faith, my family, and my passion for what I get to do are my foundation for the coach, mentor, and leader I aspire to be. I cannot wait to get to work and create an amazing culture that not only competes to the best of our abilities but also uses our gifts to glorify God in all things," Heron concluded.
As a college student at Belmont Abbey, Heron competed in basketball and track & field for two years and soccer for one season. He completed his undergraduate degree in sport management from BAC in 2019 before earning an MBA at Lenoir-Rhyne in 2022.
"Coach Heron has been part of some special programs at different levels that have competed at a very high level, but what excites us most is his eagerness to build our women's basketball program's culture with the highest priority of providing our student-athletes with a great experience both on and off the court in a way that aligns with our overall mission here at Montreat College," noted Director of Athletics Garrett Jones.