CLEMSON BASKETBALL

Coleman to Remain on Women's Basketball Coaching Staff


by -

Clemson, SC - Clemson women's basketball head coach Cristy McKinney has retained Itoro Coleman as an assistant coach within her staff, as announced Thursday. Coleman, an All-ACC player at Clemson from 1995-99, has been an assistant with the Lady Tiger program since the 2002-03 season.

"I'm real excited Itoro wanted to continue coaching at Clemson," McKinney said. "She brings invaluable experience in that she played here and was a student here. Her personality and ability to communicate with our student-athletes is also a tremendous asset. I know for a fact she was a tremendous player here, so she can translate her passion for the game into coaching the players."

Coleman, formerly Itoro Umoh, led the Lady Tigers to a pair of ACC Tournament championships. Clemson won it her freshman year, 1995-96, and her senior year, 1998-99. She was the tournament's MVP as a senior, in addition to a first-team All-ACC selection. That same season, she was an honorable mention AP All-American. She was selected to the ACC's 50-Year Anniversary team in 2002, one of four Clemson players honored by the conference.

As a coach, she helped the Lady Tigers to a 17-12 record and WNIT appearance in 2003-04, her second season coaching with the program. As an assistant in 2002-03, she guided Chrissy Floyd to first-team All-ACC honors. In 2003-04, she helped Lakeia Stokes earn the same honors.

An experienced recruiter, she was instrumental in Clemson's signing of six players for the 2004-05 season. Coleman, who has worked primarily with guards during her time at Clemson, helped bring in four guards (Reggie Maddox, D'Lesha Lloyd, Tasha Taylor, Tasha Phillips) last season. Maddox and Lloyd led the Lady Tigers in overall scoring average and ACC scoring average last year, respectively.

In addition to her collegiate success, Coleman gained significant international experience in the summer of 2004 as part of the Nigerian national team at the Olympic Games. She averaged 9.0 points per game over five preliminary contests, highlighted by a 12-point, six-rebound performance in the opening round versus Australia.

Coleman graduated from Clemson in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in speech and communications. She served as a student assistant coach at Liberty in 1999-00 and was an assistant coach at Butler from 2000 to 2002. She also pursued a professional basketball career and became the first Lady Tiger named to a WNBA active roster in 2000-01.

The native of Hephzibah, GA is married to Harold Coleman. The couple has a one-year-old daughter, Jada, and resides in Seneca, SC.

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Print   
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights