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
News & Media
4/15/22 – Women’s Basketball Adds Elena Lovato to Coaching Staff
4/17/20 – Schaefer Names Coaching Staff for Women’s Basketball
6/11/18 – Bulldogs Welcome Elena Lovato Back to Coaching Staff
Head Coach Record
| Season | School | Overall | Conference | Championships | Post-Season |
| 2009-10 | Trinity Valley CC (NJCAA) | 9-2 | 9-2 | NJCAA (6th Place) | |
| 2010-11 | Grayson College (NJCAA) | 32-4 | NA | NJCAA (5th Place) | |
| 2012-13 | Trinity Valley CC (NJCAA) | 36-1 | 16-0 | NJCAA (National Championship) | |
| 2013-14 | Trinity Valley CC (NJCAA) | 36-1 | 18-0 | NJCAA (National Championship) | |
| 2016-17 | Arkansas-Fort Smith (DII) | 17-13 | 10-6 | ||
| 2017-18 | Arkansas-Fort Smith (DII) | 20-11 | 10-4 | NCAA (1st Round) | |
| Career | 150-38 (.798) | 63-12 (.840) |