Elena Lovato
Elena Lovato
Associate Head Women’s Basketball 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: Professional Player, Chicago Blaze (NWBL) & Puerto Rico
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 Coach of the Year (1)
2013-14
National Championships (2)
2013-14, 2012-13
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
Conference Tournament Championships (4)
2013-14, 2012-13, 2009-10 Region XIV & 2010-11 Region V
NCAA Tournament Berths (1)
2017-18
Other National Tournament Berths (4)
2013-14, 2012-13, 2010-11, 2009-10 NJCAA
2013-14 NJCAA National Coach of the Year
Led Trinity Valley CC to back-to-back NJCAA National Championships in 2012-13 and 2013-14
2022-23 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Assistant Coach of the Year
Has helped lead Texas to a 47-20 (.702) overall and 25-11 (.694) Big 12 Conference record, two 21+ win seasons, one Big 12 Conference Regular Season Championship, and two NCAA Tournament berths (one Elite Eight appearance)
In 2022-23, assisted 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, and helped the program sign a 2023 class that ranked 12th nationally
From 2018 to 2020 and 2016 to 2018, helped lead Mississippi State to a 115-24 (.827) overall and 50-14 (.781) SEC record, four 27+ win seasons, one SEC Regular Season Championship, one SEC Tournament Championship, and four NCAA Tournament berths (one Elite Eight and one Sweet 16 appearance)
Signed a 2019 recruiting class to Mississippi State that ranked 6th nationally, the highest ranked recruiting class in program history
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
From 2016 to 2018, led Arkansas-Fort Smith to a 37-24 (.607) overall and 20-10 (.667) Heartland Conference record, two winning seasons, and one NCAA Tournament berth
Led Trinity Valley and Grayson to a combined 113-8 (.933) record, including four NJCAA Tournament berths
The 2010-11 NJCAA Region V Coach of the Year led Grayson to a 32-4 (.889) record and 5th place finish at the NJCAA Tournament – rebuilt a program that had only won four games the season prior to her arrival
2001 Puerto Rican Women’s Pro Basketball League First-Team All-League selection
1999-00 MIAA Newcomer of the Year at Missouri Southern State
News & Media
4/15/22 – Women’s Basketball Adds Elena Lovato to Coaching Staff
5/15/20 – Longhorns Lunch Break (Longhorn Network)
5/13/20 – Elena Lovato Interview on The Horn (Texas Longhorns)
4/17/20 – Schaefer Names Coaching Staff for Women’s Basketball
6/11/18 – Bulldogs Welcome Elena Lovato Back to Coaching Staff
4/8/16 – Mississippi State’s Lovato Named New Lady Lions Coach
Head Coach Record
| Season | School | Overall | Conference | Championships | Post-Season |
| 2009-10 | Trinity Valley CC (NJCAA) | 9-2 | 9-2 | Region XIV T & District L | NJCAA (6th Place) |
| 2010-11 | Grayson College (NJCAA) | 32-4 | NA | Region V T & District E | NJCAA (5th Place) |
| 2012-13 | Trinity Valley CC (NJCAA) | 36-1 | 16-0 | Region XIV T & District L | NJCAA National Champions |
| 2013-14 | Trinity Valley CC (NJCAA) | 36-1 | 18-0 | Region XIV T & District L | NJCAA National Champions |
| 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) |