Mikayla Lopez is entering her first season as the head coach of the Storm women's basketball program in 2026-27.
Mikayla Lopez came to Lake Erie after four seasons as head coach at Bethany College, where she led the Bison to four consecutive Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Tournament appearances. In her inaugural season, Bethany competed hard in the PAC Tournament quarterfinals before falling to eventual conference champion Saint Vincent College. The following season, the Bison took another step forward with a trip to the PAC Tournament semifinals, where their postseason run ended against the Chatham University Cougars. Bethany posted its best season under Lopez in 2025-26, finishing 17-10 overall and 11-5 in PAC play, the program's best record in 20 years, while earning a signature victory over #12 Randolph–Macon College.
Under Lopez’s leadership, the program also produced numerous all-conference performers, including two-time First Team All-PAC selection Lindsey Garrison and PAC Newcomer of the Year honoree Lindsey Best during the 2025-26 season. Across Lopez’s four seasons, Bethany earned two First Team All-PAC selections, one Second Team All-PAC selection, one PAC Newcomer of the Year honor, and five All-PAC Honorable Mention selections
Prior to joining the Bison, Lopez spent two seasons as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Aurora University. During her time with the Spartans, she helped the program establish school records for most points scored in a game (112) and most three-pointers made in a game (18). The program also ranked eighth nationally in NCAA Division III in scoring offense during her final season, averaging 80.0 points per game.
Lopez began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Mountain Vista High School and has also gained experience on the AAU circuit, serving as head coach for the M14 Hoops Basketball Academy in Aurora, Illinois, during the summer of 2021 and QC Attack in Bettendorf, Iowa, during the summer of 2018. In addition, Lopez worked as an intern with the Chicago Sky during the summer of 2017, assisting with the planning, organization, and execution of marketing activities and events throughout the season.
A 2019 graduate of Augustana College, Lopez was a standout point guard for the Vikings during her collegiate playing career. She led the team in both assists and steals in 2017 and set a single-season program record with a 91.0 free-throw percentage. Lopez earned bachelor’s degrees in business administration/marketing and political science from Augustana before completing her master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in leadership from Aurora University.
