Named the eighth head coach in Appalachian State University women's basketball history on October 1, 2014, Angel Elderkin is entering her ninth season as the program’s head coach in 2022. In eight seasons, Elderkin has led App State to 106 overall wins, including three winning records in the last four seasons. Elderkin was rewarded for her success in leading the program by signing a four-yearcontractextension that runs through the 2026-27 season on September 24, 2021.
App State is coming off a 14-12 season in 2021-22, which included earning the fourth seed in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, the highest in program history. App State has had regular success in the post-season under Elderkin, as the program has won six Sun Belt Conference Tournament games and made two semi-final appearances.
Elderkin led App State to the program’s best season in recent history with 22 wins in 2018-19, a 14-win improvement from the prior season, which was the fifth-best turnaround in the nation. App State also finished 14-3 at the Holmes Convocation center that season, the best home record in program history. This memorable season culminated with Elderkin guiding App State to the WBI Post-Season Tournament Championship with a 76-59 win over the University of North Texas.
Elderkin arrived in Boone right before the start of official practices in October of 2014 from Louisiana State University, where she was an assistant coach during the 2013-14 season. In her inaugural season, she helped lead the program through its first as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. Since then, App State has finished three seasons with a winning Sun Belt Conference record, including a program-record 10 wins in both 2020-21 and 2018-19.
“I'm extremely grateful and humbled to join the Appalachian State family,” Elderkin said at her opening press conference. “I learned a lesson in life that you win with people, and it is the people at Appalachian State that makes this the right opportunity for me at this time. I am truly excited for the opportunity to inject my spirit in the terrific women in our program and inspire them to succeed on and off the court.”
As App State’s head coach, Elderkin has also recruited and coached 10 Sun Belt Conference All-Conference Team selections, while having developed five players (Maryah Sydnor, Pre Stanley, Madi Story, Lainey Gosnell, Joi Jones) who are in the top-20 in program history in total points scored. Stanley would go on to become the first player in program history to receive a WNBA Training Camp contract, appearing in two contests and playing well in limited action.
Elderkin has also recruited and developed players who rank second in career rebounds (Bayley Plummer), sixth in career assists (Jones), and three of the top-six in career blocked shots (Plummer, Ashley Bassett-Smith, Keke Cooper).
App State hasalso been a threat from three under Elderkin, as her 2018-19, 2021-22, and 2020-21 teams rank as the top-three three-point shooting teams (makes) in program history. In 2018, App State would hit a program-record 15 three-point field goals in a win over ULM.
Off the court, the program has been active in the community. In 2020, App State finished first in the nation in the NCAA Team Works Helper Community Service Competition with over 1,000 community service hours.
Coach Elderkin continues to be an advocate in raising funds for research and awareness in the fight against cancer. In three years at App State, she has helped raise more than $10,000, including over $5,000 combined through the Kay Yow Fund and the American Cancer Society.
The team embraced the motto“ETG” or “Embrace The Grind”, and coach Elderkin fully embraced the saying, as she successfullybattled endometrial cancer in 2016-17. Beginning with treatments in the summer, coach Elderkin still didn't skip a beat and was at practice every day. The three-year head coach traveled to Chapel Hill for treatments every day and still made it to practice on time. She didn't miss one game the entire season, including a daunting five-game road trip to begin the slate. Elderkin ended her treatment just after the first road trip of the season in DePaul.
For her strength and courage in the face of cancer,Elderkin was awarded the United States Basketball Writer's Association (USBWA)Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award along with ESPN analyst, Holly Rowe.
Prior to taking over the App State program, Elderkin spent a combined 12 seasons as an assistant coach, video coordinator, and graduate assistant. During this span, her teams have won five conference championships and earned eight NCAA Tournament berths, including winning 2006-07 National Championship at the University of Tennessee. As a recruiting coordinator, she has also been responsible for landing four classes ranked among the top-20 nationally.
Elderkin spent the 2013-14 season as an assistant coach and the 2011-12 season as the director of video operations at LSU, where she helped lead the program to two NCAA Tournament berths, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2013-14.
In between her two one-year stints at LSU, Elderkin was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at St. John's University. While at St. John's, she assisted the program to an 18-13 overall and 11-5 record, as well as an NCAA Tournament berth.
Prior to joining the LSU staff in 2011, Elderkin spent four seasons (2007 to 2011) as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Debbie Ryan at the University of Virginia. Elderkin helped lead the Cavaliers to four-straight postseason berths, including three NCAA Tournament berths. She also oversaw the signing of four-consecutive recruiting classes that were ranked among the top-20 nationally, including top-10 classes in 2010 and 2011.
From 2005 to 2007, Elderkin served as a graduate assistant (2005-06) and video coordinator for legendary coach Pat Summit at Tennessee. In her two seasons with the Vols, UT won the 2006-07 National Championship and advanced to the Elite 8 of the 2005-06 NCAA Tournament.
Elderkin spent four seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Siena College from 2001 to 2005. In her four seasons at Siena, the Saints won three Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season titles (2001-02, 2002-03, and 2003-04) and played in two WNIT Tournaments (2001-02 and 2002-03).
Elderkin began her career as a special assistant to the head coach at nearby East Tennessee State from 1999 to 2001while also earning a master's degree.
As a guard at the University of Southern Maine, Elderkin was a four-year letter winner from 1995 to 1999 and helped lead the Huskies to four Little East Conference Regular Season Championships, three Little East Conference Tournament Championships, and four NCAA Tournament berths, including being the 1997-98 National Runner-Up.
A two-time recipient of the William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete Award, Elderkin also lettered three times in softball. In 2004, she was inducted into the New England Hall of Fame as a member of the 1997-98 team.
Elderkin earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Southern Maine in 1999 with a minor in education and received a master's in physical education from ETSU in 2001.
THE ANGEL ELDERKIN FILE
Birthdate:August 18, 1977
Hometown:East Providence, R.I.
Education
Bachelor's:Southern Maine, 1999 (Sociology)
Master's:East Tennessee State, 2001 (Physical Education and Exercise Science)
Coaching Experience
2014-pres: App State (Head Coach)
2013-14:LSU (Assistant Coach)
2012-13:St. John's (Assistant Coach)
2011-12:LSU (Director of Video Operations)
2007-11:Virginia (Assistant Coach)
2006-07:Tennessee (Video Coordinator)
2005-06:Tennessee (Graduate Assistant)
2001-05:Siena (Assistant Coach)
1999-2001:East Tennessee State (Special Assistant to the Head Coach)
Playing Experience
1995-99:Southern Maine
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT ANGEL ELDERKIN
“Angel Elderkin is going to be a great head coach for Appalachian State. She possesses the leadership qualities that are necessary to run a successful program. Angel is very dedicated and committed to the overall success of the student-athlete on and off the basketball court. She understands how to motivate people while maintaining a positive relationship with her players. Angel has a love and passion to grow the game and fully understands the importance of giving back to the community. “
—Nikki Caldwell, Louisiana State University head coach
“Appalachian State has stolen a gem right from under the entire Women's Collegiate Basketball World. Angel will bring extensive basketball knowledge, an infectious motivational spirit, and an incredible level of integrity to the program at Appalachian State. She is prepared to do whatever it takes to lift the program to a Championship level both on and off the court. This will prove to be an extraordinary day in the history of Appalachian State athletics in the very near future. Angel will be an amazing leader coach and positive role model for the entire Appalachian State Community!”
—Debbie Ryan, former University of Virginia head coach, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
“What a fantastic hire for Appalachian State. Angel is an outstanding, experienced young coach who knows how to build relationships and work very well with players. She's extremely knowledgeable about the game and knows what it takes to win, and I am excited that Angel has been given this opportunity to demonstrate what she can do as a head coach.”
—Holly Warlick, University of Tennessee head coach
