Charity Elliott has been named the new head coach of the Point Loma women’s basketball program, announced Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton.
Elliott joins the Sea Lions after spending the past nine seasons as the head coach at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. Prior to her move to NCAA Division I, Elliott had a very successful run at UC San Diego (NCAA DII) where she led the Tritons to a 127-34 record over five years and to the No. 1 ranking in the country (2011-12). She was voted the West Region Coach of the Year in 2011-12 and was a finalist for National Coach of the Year honors.
“I am thrilled that Charity has accepted our offer to become the next head coach of Point Loma women’s basketball,” said Hamilton. “She has demonstrated tremendous success at this level and the ability to lead a program to national prominence. Along with her impressive coaching talent, she has proven to be a passionate leader with a strong faith who is committed to developing great relationships. I am excited for her to be a fixture in the PLNU community.”
During her five seasons at UCSD, Elliott compiled a .789 winning percentage and won over 20 games each season, including posting a 30-3 record in 2011-12. The Tritons made the NCAA West Regional in four of her five years and hosted the regional her final season. She led UC San Diego to three CCAA Conference titles and was a three-time CCAA Coach of the Year. Elliott also guided Michelle Osier and Chelsea Carlisle to CCAA and West Region Player of the Year honors.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Point Loma family and want to begin by thanking President Bower, Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton, and his staff for the incredible opportunity to lead this women’s basketball program,” said Elliott. “Point Loma encompasses everything that I am passionate about; faith, family, and basketball. I can’t imagine a more perfect fit for me and my family. I’m excited to begin this new journey and to see what the Lord is going to do here at Point Loma!”
In addition to her stints at UCSD and LMU, Elliott has also been the head coach at Portland State (2004-07) and Cal Baptist (2000-03), and an assistant at the University of Arkansas (2003-04), Southwest Baptist (1996-99), Missouri State (1994-96) and San Diego State (1993-94). Elliott began her playing career at Rice University where she scored 16.0 points per game as a sophomore. She then transferred to Missouri State and helped lead the Bears to the Final Four in 1992. Missouri State went 57-8 during her two seasons.
The Sea Lions are coming off an 8-6 record during the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season. PLNU is expected to have all but one member return from a squad that reached No. 20 in the national rankings.
