BATON ROUGE – Angel Elderkin, who served as LSU’s director of video operations during the 2011-12 season and was recently an assistant coach at St. John’s University, has been named an assistant coach for the Lady Tiger basketball team, head coach Nikki Caldwell announced on Tuesday.
Elderkin, 35, replaces Stacie Terry, who was named head coach at San Diego State last month.
“We are thrilled to have Angel back on our staff,” said Caldwell. “She is a proven coach who is very well respected by our team. She’s a valuable asset from her on-the-floor expertise to her scouting of opponents. She shares the same vision we have as a team and our goal of winning championships. She’s also a great person and will be a terrific mentor for our student-athletes.”
Elderkin brings 14 years of collegiate coaching experience to LSU. In one season at St. John’s, she played a vital role on Joe Tartamella’s staff in helping the Red Storm to a 2013 NCAA Tournament appearance, a third-place finish in the Big East Conference and an 18-13 overall record.
“I am extremely excited to re-join the Lady Tiger family,” said Elderkin. “LSU is rich in tradition dating back to Coach Sue Gunter. Coach Caldwell, the staff and the players all share a common vision of excellence. From the family atmosphere to the passionate fan base, I am proud to be a part of Lady Tiger basketball once again.”
During the 2012-13 season, Elderkin served as recruiting coordinator while focusing on guard play and opponent scouting.
St. John’s produced its first-ever WNBA Draft picks when senior guards Nadirah McKenith (No. 17 overall, Washington Mystics) and Sheneikka Smith (No. 25 overall, New York Liberty) were selected in the April draft during Elderkin’s tenure. Smith and McKenith were both first-team All-Big East Conference honorees and WBCA Coaches’ Honorable Mention All-America selections, averaging 16.7 and 13.2 points per game, respectively.
Elderkin, a native of East Providence, R.I., returns to LSU after serving as director of video operations during Caldwell’s first season with the Lady Tigers. She was part of a staff that re-invigorated the program, guiding LSU to the second round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, the championship game of the Southeastern Conference Tournament and a 23-11 overall record. Elderkin helped coordinate opponent scouting.
Prior to her coaching stint at LSU, she spent four seasons as an assistant coach under legendary coach Debbie Ryan at the University of Virginia. Elderkin served as the Cavaliers recruiting coordinator in her final two seasons and she was also responsible for opponent scouting, player development, on-court instruction and practice and game preparation. She was responsible for signing the nation’s 13th-ranked class for 2011 according to ESPN HoopGurlz.com.
Virginia reached the NCAA Tournament three times during her tenure, including second round appearances in 2008 and 2009. Elderkin arrived at Virginia after spending two seasons at Tennessee, including the Lady Vols’ run to the 2007 NCAA Championship. That year, she worked as the team’s video coordinator, handling all aspects of film and video. She also prepared postgame reports for staff and players, coordinated recruiting visits and assisted in marketing of Tennessee’s team camp.
Before arriving in Knoxville, Elderkin spent four years as an assistant coach at Siena College from 2002-05. She was an integral part of recruiting some of the best classes in program history.
Elderkin spent her playing days as a guard at Southern Maine, lettering four seasons for the Huskies. She led Southern Maine to three Little East Conference championships and an astounding 104-15 overall record. The Huskies reached the Division III NCAA Tournament during each of her four years, and in 1998, Southern Maine was the national runner-up. Elderkin also played on the softball team from 1996-98.
Elderkin earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southern Maine in 1999 with a minor in education. She received her master’s degree in physical education and exercise science from East Tennessee State in 2001.