| Angel Elderkin | |
| Birth Date: | 18 August 1977 |
| Birth Place: | East Providence, Rhode Island |
| Alma Mater: | University of Southern Maine (BA) ('99) ETSU (MA) ('01) |
| Coach Years1: | 1991–2001 |
| Coach Team1: | ETSU (asst.) |
| Coach Years2: | 2001–2005 |
| Coach Team2: | Siena (asst.) |
| Coach Years3: | 2005–2007 |
| Coach Team3: | Tennessee (GA/Video Coordinator) |
| Coach Years4: | 2007–2011 |
| Coach Team4: | UVA (asst.) |
| Coach Years5: | 2011–2012 |
| Coach Team5: | LSU (Video Coordinator) |
| Coach Years6: | 2012–2013 |
| Coach Team6: | St. John's (asst.) |
| Coach Years7: | 2013–2014 |
| Coach Team7: | LSU (asst.) |
| Coach Years8: | 2014–2024 |
| Coach Team8: | Appalachian State |
| Tournament Record: | 4-0 (WBI) |
| Championships: | 2019 WBI |
| Awards: | USBWA Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award (2016) |
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 2014–2024.[1]
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 2004–2005 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 2026–2027 season.[6]
Following the 2023–2024 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.[8]