Delaware State University head women's basketball coach Tamika Louis continues to add to her staff with the announcement of Yolanda Cole as an assistant coach for the 2012-13 season.
Cole will be responsible for recruiting, development of guards, scouting opponents, game scheduling and overseeing team managers. Additionally, she will be the team's academic liaison and game scout coordinator.
"Coach Cole is one of the hardest working assistants in the business," commented Louis. "She is thorough and her knowledge of the game and X's and O's makes her a standout."
Louis continued, "Coach Cole will be a valuable asset to our program. Additionally, her recruiting connections in Florida and Michigan will be crucial as she continues to prove that she is a top-notch recruiter."
Cole comes to the Hornets after spending five seasons at Florida Atlantic University as an assistant coach under head coach Chancellor Dugan. While at FAU, the Owls improved in the Sun Belt Conference from 13th place during the 2007-08 season to third place overall during the 2011-12 campaign. Furthermore, the 2011-12 season proved to be record-breaking for the Owls as they posted their first winning campaign since 2005-06 and their 11 Sun Belt Conference wins were the most since the team joined the league. The team made its sixth postseason appearance and first since 2006. FAU's trip to the WNIT was the first in program history.
During her tenure at FAU, Cole was responsible for coaching guards and post players, recruiting, scouting reports, practice planning, monitoring academic success and scheduling community outreach activities. Cole coached one SBC Defensive Player of the Year (Teri Stamps, 2011-12), one Second-Team SBC selection (Chenise Miller, 2011-12) and two Third-Team selections (Brittany Bowe, 2009-10 and Carla Stubbs, 2007-08) while with the Owls.
Prior to her time at Florida Atlantic, Cole spent three seasons as an assistant coach under fellow DSU assistant coach, and then head coach Yvette Harris, at Central Connecticut State University. Her primary duties at CCSU included film exchange, recruiting, scouting reports and academic monitoring. While with the CCSU, the Blue Devils won the 2005-06 Great Alaska Shootout. Additionally, Cole helped develop two First-Team All-Northeast Conference student-athletes, as well as two members of the Northeast Conference's All-Rookie team. She also coached the school's all-time rebounder and WNBA hopeful, Gabriella Guegbelet. Guegbelet was also the program's first 1,000 point/1,000 rebound player.
Cole spent a season with Kellogg Community College as an assistant coach before her time at CCSU. While there, the Lady Bruins were 14-0 (30-5 overall) and finished first in the Western Conference of the MCCAA (Michigan Community College Athletic Association). Furthermore, KCC placed first in the Region XII District G Tournament and competed in their first ever NJCAA National Tournament, finishing sixth overall.
The Battle Creek, Mich. native earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Michigan in 2003. While with the Wolverines, Cole spent five seasons as the head manager for the women's basketball squad in addition to working as a camp counselor. Cole was a member of the WBCA "So You Want To Be A Coach" Minority Grant Program in 2003.
Cole joins Yvette Harris (assistant coach) and Devona Knight (director of basketball operations) on Louis' anticipated staff of five for the 2012-13 season.