Bradley University’s women’s basketball program has a new leader: Chaia Meier.
Currently an assistant coach at Marquette University, the Normal native will take the helm as the 11th head coach in the history of Bradley women’s basketball.
Former head coach Kate Popovec-Goss announced last month she was leaving the program for the head coaching job at Boston College.
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Chris Reynolds said Meier is a proven leader with 16 years of coaching experience.
"Throughout this search, Chaia quickly distinguished herself as the right person to lead our program forward," said Reynolds. "As a Central Illinois native, she brings a strong connection to this region and a clear understanding of what it takes to excel at Bradley.”
Meier has been in her position at Marquette for two years. During that time, she helped develop several all-conference performers, including forward Skylar Forbes, guard Lee Volker and guard Halle Vice. The team also earned recognition as All-Defensive Team in the 2025-26 season.
"My family and I are thrilled to join the Bradley community and return to Central Illinois, a place that we consider home," Meier said. "Bradley women's basketball is primed to take the next step and I am honored to be entrusted with that challenge."
In the announcement, Bradley also celebrated Meier’s coaching time at Edgewood University in Madison, Wisconsin. Over eight seasons from 2016-2024, she guided the team to one of their most successful periods in program history and became the winningest coach in school history.
Meier also coached at Grace University from 2015-2016, at Moody Bible College, her alma mater, from 2009-2015 and was an assistant coach at Dominican University from 2007-2009.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Moody in theology and a master’s in organizational leadership from Edgewood University. Meier and her husband Josh have two children.