Elena Lovato

Associate Head Coach
University of Texas

Experience

2022 – Present: Associate Head Coach, University of Texas

2020 – 2021: Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, University of Texas

2018 – 2020: Assistant Coach, Mississippi State University

2016 – 2018: Head Coach, University of Arkansas, Fort Smith

2014 – 2016: Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator (15-16), Mississippi State University

2012 – 2014: Head Coach, Trinity Valley Community College

2011 – 2012: Assistant Coach, University of Nebraska, Omaha

2010 – 2011: Head Coach, Grayson County Community College

2009 – 2010: Interim Head Coach/Assistant Coach, Trinity Valley Community College

2008 – 2009: Assistant Coach, University of Houston

2008: Graduate Assistant, Pittsburg State University

2001 – 2003: Player, Puerto Rico & Chicago Blaze (NWBL)

1999 – 2001: Player, Missouri Southern State University

1997 – 1999: Player, West Texas A&M University

Education

2008: Pittsburg State University, Masters, Physical Education

2005: Missouri Southern State University, Bachelors, University Studies

Personal

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Career Highlights

Career Record
150-38 (.798) overall & 63-12 (.840)

National Championships (2)
2013-14, 2012-13

National Coach of the Year (1)
2013-14

30+ Win Seasons (3)
2013-14, 2012-13, 2010-11

20+ Win Seasons (4)
2017-18, 2013-14, 2012-13, 2010-11

Winning Seasons (6)
2017-18, 2016-17, 2013-14, 2012-13, 2010-11, 2009-10

NCAA Tournament Berths (1)
2017-18

NJCAA Tournament Berths (4)
2013-14, 2012-13, 2010-11, 2009-10

Has helped lead Texas to a 47-20 (.702) overall and 25-11 (.694) Big 12 Conference record, one Big 12 Conference Regular Season Championship, and two NCAA Tournament berths (one Elite Eight appearance)

In 2022-23, helped lead Texas to the program’s first Big 12 Conference Regular Season Championship in 19 seasons

As Texas’ Recruiting Coordinator, signed a 2021 class that ranked 6th nationally

From 2018-20, assisted Mississippi State to a 60-9 (.870) overall and 28-4 (.785) SEC record, including two 27+ win seasons, one SEC Regular Season Championship, one SEC Tournament Championship and two NCAA Tournament berths (2018-19 Elite Eight)

Signed a 2019 class which was the highest ranked recruiting class in program history at Mississippi State (6th)

Led Arkansas-Fort Smith to a 37-24 (.607) overall and 20-10 (.667) Heartland conference record, including one NCAA Tournament berth

From 2016-18, assisted Mississippi State to a 55-15 (.785) overall and 22-10 (.687) SEC record, including two NCAA Tournament berths (2015-16 Sweet 16)

In 2015-16, helped lead Mississippi State to a program-record 28 single-season and 11 SEC wins

As Mississippi State’s Recruiting Coordinator, signed a 2016 class that ranked in the top-64 nationally

As a Division I Assistant Coach, has recruited and coached 24 all-conference team selections, as well as, one Player of the Year, two Defensive Players of the Year, one Newcomer of the Year, and the 1st overall selection in the 2021 WNBA draft

As a Head Coach, has a 113-8 (.933) overall record

Led Trinity Valley to back-to-back NJCAA National Championships in 2012-13 and 2013-14

2013-14 NJCAA National Coach of the Year

Named 2010-11 NJCAA Region V Coach of the Year after rebuilding a Grayson program that had only won four total games the season prior to her arrival and leading Grayson to a 32-4 record and 5th place national finish

Earned first-team all-league honors in the Puerto Rican Women’s Pro Basketball League in 2001 and 2002

The 2001 graduate earned MIAA Newcomer of the Year and served as team captain

Head Coach Record