Angel Elderkin Season 2024-25
Angel Elderkin returns to Nikki Caldwell’s LSU coaching staff after spending the 2012-13 season as an assistant coach at St. John’s University. Elderkin, 36, served as director of video operations for the Lady Tigers during Caldwell’s first season of 2011-12.
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. The East Providence, R.I., native 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.
In 2011-12, Elderkin was part of an LSU staff that re-invigorated the program, guiding the Lady Tigers to the second round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, the championship game of the Southeastern Conference Tournament and a 23-11 overall record. She helped coordinate opponent scouting.
Prior to her coaching stint at LSU, Elderkin 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 was also instrumental in the development of All-American guard Monica Wright, who was the second overall pick of the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. Wright was the ACC Player of the Year and the National Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. She capped her career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,540 points.
Elderkin came to 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 also spent two seasons at East Tennessee State where she served as a special assistant to the head coach. Elderkin began her basketball coaching career at Virginia as the assistant camp coordinator during the summer of 2000.
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.
A two-time recipient of the William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete Award, Elderkin was named to the All-Little East Honor Roll in 1997. In September 2004, her 1997-98 Husky basketball team was inducted into the New England Hall of Fame.
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.
The Angel Elderkin File
Birthdate: August 18, 1977
Age: 36
Hometown: East Providence, R.I.
Education
Undergraduate: Southern Maine, 1999 (Sociology)
Master’s: East Tennessee State, 2001 (Physical Education and Exercise Science)
Twitter: @LSU_CoachAngel
Playing Experience
Year, Team
1995-99, Southern Maine
Coaching Experience
Year, Position, School
1999-2001, Volunteer Assistant, East Tennessee State
2000, Camp Coordinator, Virginia
2002-05, Assistant Coach, Siena
2005-07, Video Coordinator, Tennessee
2007-11, Assistant Coach, Virginia
2011-12, Director of Video Operations, LSU
2012-13, Assistant Coach, St. John’s
2013-, Assistant Coach, LSU