Angel Elderkin (born August 18, 1977) is an American college basketball coach and was the head coach of the Appalachian State Mountaineers women's basketball team from 2014 until 2024.[1]

Angel Elderkin
Biographical details
Born (1977-08-18) August 18, 1977 (age 47)
East Providence, Rhode Island
Alma materUniversity of Southern Maine (BA) ('99) ETSU (MA) ('01)
Playing career
1995–1999Southern Maine
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1999–2001ETSU (asst.)
2001–2005Siena (asst.)
2005–2007Tennessee (GA/Video Coordinator)
2007–2011UVA (asst.)
2011–2012LSU (Video Coordinator)
2012–2013St. John's (asst.)
2013–2014LSU (asst.)
2014–2024Appalachian State
Head coaching record
Overall135–170 (.443)
Tournaments4–0 (WBI)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2019 WBI
Awards
USBWA Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award (2016)

Coaching career

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Elderkin played basketball for the women's basketball team at the University of Southern Maine. After graduation, she landed her first coaching job at East Tennessee State as a special assistant to the head coach. Once Elderkin earned a Master of Arts in Physical Education and Exercise Science from ETSU, she accepted an assistant coaching role at Siena. Following the end of the 2004–05 season, Elderkin left Siena and began a graduate assistant role under the legendary Pat Summitt at Tennessee. At Tennessee, she was promoted to video coordinator after one season. Elderkin then spent time as an assistant coach at LSU, St. John's, and Virginia before being named the head coach of the Appalachian State Mountaineers women's basketball team in 2014.

In 2016, Coach Elderkin was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.[2] Despite having to undergo chemotherapy following a stage three cancer diagnosis, Elderkin continued with her head coaching duties.[3] For her bravery in her battle against cancer and continued coaching, Elderkin received the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award presented by the United States Basketball Writers Association in 2016.[4] Although Little Rock Trojans women's basketball head coach Joe Foley was selected as the 2017 Sun Belt Conference coach of the year, Foley gave his award to Elderkin.[5]

Elderkin guided Appalachian State to the 2019 WBI championship. In 2021, Elderkin signed a four-year extension through the 2026–27 season.[6]

Following the 2023–24 season, Elderkin announced that she would be stepping down from her head coaching role, stating, "This decision was not easy, and was entirely on my own due to personal reasons."[7] During her tenure, Elderkin compiled the second-most wins of any head coach in program history.[7]

Head coaching record

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Appalachian State Mountaineers (Sun Belt Conference) (2014–2024)
2014–15 Appalachian State 14–16 9–11 7th
2015–16 Appalachian State 10–20 7–13 T–7th
2016–17 Appalachian State 12–19 6–12 9th
2017–18 Appalachian State 8–23 5–13 9th
2018–19 Appalachian State 22–14 10–8 5th 2019 WBI Champions
2019–20 Appalachian State 11–19 8–10 T–7th
2020–21 Appalachian State 15–12 10–8 3rd (East)
2021–22 Appalachian State 14–12 8–4 4th
2022–23 Appalachian State 11–20 6–12 T–10th
2023–24 Appalachian State 17–15 9–9 T–8th
Appalachian State: 135–170 (.443) 55–34 (.618)
Total: 135–170 (.443)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

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  1. ^ "App State Hires New Women's Basketball Coach". Watauga Democrat.
  2. ^ "The ties that bind: How the coaching circle help saved Angel Elderkin's life". ESPNW.
  3. ^ "This Game Saved My Life". The Players Tribune.
  4. ^ "ESPN's Rowe, Appalachian St coach Elderkin win Summitt award". USA Today.
  5. ^ "Little Rock coach makes gracious gesture to App State's Elderkin". Watauga Democrat.
  6. ^ "Elderkin signs four year extension". Watauga Democrat.
  7. ^ a b "Angel Elderkin steps down as App State women's basketball head coach". Watauga Democrat.
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