Head women’s basketball coach Julie Goodenough has announced the addition of Ethan McIlhargey to her staff as an assistant coach. McIlhargey comes to ACU after spending three seasons as the Director of Video and Analytics for the University of Utah women’s basketball program. McIlhargey takes over the position vacated by Drew Cole, who has accepted an assistant coaching position at Lindenwood University.
“I am thrilled to add such an amazing person and coach to our staff,” said Goodenough. “Ethan comes with a unique skill set developed through the many opportunities he has experienced working under great head coaches including Lynne Roberts, Kim Rosamond, Mark Kellogg, and Jon Newlee. He has a great passion for teaching and mentoring his players, as well as a high basketball IQ. Ethan is already familiar with our offensive philosophy, which is very similar to that of Utah. His experience in video and analytics will be invaluable to our program. I am excited for Coach Mac to join the Wildcat family.”
During his time in Salt Lake City, McIlhargey led and assisted in many different areas. He was responsible for pre-scouting and creating analytical reports on opponents and Utah, while also leading the film breakdown of practices, games, and player development. He has assisted with on-campus recruiting and was the Utah Women’s Basketball Camps director.
“I am beyond excited and humbled to join Coach Goodenough and her staff at ACU,” said McIlhargey. “I have been a fan of Coach Goodenough’s since my days at SFA when we battled in the Southland Conference, and I always admired the way she ran her program, and how she did it the right way. I look forward to helping build upon the championship foundation she has created here. I cannot thank her enough for giving me this opportunity.”
The Utes went 21-12 this past season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 and the first time as a member of the Pac-12 Conference. Utah made history during the 2021-22 season when they advanced to the championship game of the Pac-12 Tournament for the first time in program history and set the school record for most three-pointers made in a single season (312).
“Abilene Christian is getting such a great person in Ethan McIlhargey,” said Utah head coach Lynne Roberts. “I have had the privilege of working with Ethan for the past four years and am so happy for him in this new opportunity. He brings a fantastic work ethic, fun personality, and a willingness to do whatever is needed for the program. I will certainly miss him, but am so excited to see him take the next step and help continue to build Coach Goodenough’s program and successes at ACU.”
Before coming to the University of Utah, McIlhargey was the Director of Basketball Operations at Tennessee Tech. During his one season with the Golden Eagles, they came away with their highest win total since 2011, finishing the season 22-11. It was the third-largest win increase in NCAA Division I in 2018-19. The Golden Eagles went to their first postseason appearance since 2011.
McIlhargey coordinated all aspects of practice, game scheduling, and travel for the team for Tennessee Tech. He was the liaison to the marketing, alumni relations, and sports information department. He also helped and developed social media plans. He also assisted with on-campus recruiting and film breakdown of practices, games, and scouts.
During the 2017-18 season, McIlhargey served as the video coordinator at Stephen F. Austin. The Ladyjacks turned in a 25-7 season and 16-2 mark in Southland Conference play, earning the program’s first-ever at-large bid into the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). He assisted with various aspects of the program, from organizing community relations projects to helping prepare scouting reports.
From 2012 to 2017, McIlhargey served as a student assistant at the University of Idaho. He aided in the Vandals three NCAA tournament appearances and three conference tournament titles while also helping the team to two regular-season titles in the Western Athletic Conference and Big Sky Conference.
The Kuna, Idaho native graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s of science in general studies in 2017 and began working towards a master’s degree in mass communications while at SFA.
McIlhargey’s duties will include video and analytics coordinator, academic liaison, off campus recruiting, and assisting with post player skill development.
