Ashley McElhiney
10/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Ashley McElhiney
Director of Basketball Operations
*2nd Year at Alabama (June 2, 2005)
When Stephany Smith tabbed Ashley McElhiney as her first director of basketball operations at the Capstone, she added a staff member that not only possesses extensive SEC ties, but has her name etched in the record books for breaking a coaching barrier in the professional ranks.
McElhiney, a four-year letterwinning performer at Vanderbilt University (1999-2003), came to the Tide after a one-year stint as the head coach of the Nashville Rhythm of the American Basketball Association. She made history in that position by serving as the first female head coach of a men’s professional basketball team. McElhiney guided the Rhythm to a 21-10 record and a berth in the ABA playoffs in their inaugural season.
As a player at Vanderbilt, McElhiney helped guide the Commodores to a 94-36 record during her career, including four appearances in the NCAA Tournament and two trips to a Regional final game. She also helped lead Vanderbilt to a pair of SEC Tournament championship games, with an SEC title to her credit in 2002.
McElhiney ended her VU career as the program’s all-time leader in assists with 673. She led the SEC and ranked second in the nation as a senior, handing out 7.46 assists per game. A two-time All-SEC selection, she was a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award and Senior CLASS Award. She also finished with 1,093 points in her Commodore career.
McElhiney handles all travel, film exchange and community service duties in her post with the Tide. She also serves as the liasion to the marketing and promotions and game event management departments with the University of Alabama athletic department.
