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Candi Whitaker

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Candi Whitaker
Current position
TitleHead Coach
TeamNorth Alabama
ConferenceASUN
Record0–0 (–)
Biographical details
Born (1980-04-22) April 22, 1980 (age 44)
Canyon, Texas
Playing career
1998–2000Seward County CC
2000–2002Texas Tech
Position(s)Point guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2002–2004Valparaiso (asst.)
2004–2006UMKC (asst.)
2006–2012UMKC
2012–2013Oklahoma State (assoc.)
2013–2018Texas Tech
2019–2024Missouri Western State
2024–presentNorth Alabama
Head coaching record
Overall231–222 (.510)

Candace Elizabeth Whitaker (née White; born April 22, 1980) is an American college basketball coach who is currently the women's basketball head coach at North Alabama.[1] Previously, Whitaker was head coach at UMKC and Texas Tech. After playing college basketball at Texas Tech, Whitaker returned to her alma mater to fill the position after former coach Kristy Curry left to coach at Alabama.[2][3] In April 2019, it was announced that Whitaker was selected as the new head women's basketball coach at Missouri Western State University.[4]

Coaching career

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Kansas City (UMKC)

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In the middle of the 2006-07 season, Whitaker was named the eighth coach in Kansas City Roos' history, replacing Bo Overton. She coached her first game in the Roos' conference opener, a 51-to-48 victory over Chicago State. She coached at Kansas City until the end of the 2011-12 year, compiling an overall record of 41-65. In her time at Kansas City, Whitaker led the Roos to two separate fourth-place Summit League finishes, in 2009-10 and 2011-12.[5]

Texas Tech University

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Following Kristy Curry's departure from Alabama on May 11, 2013, Whitaker was named the new head coach at Texas Tech University on May 20, 2013.[6] On January 1, 2018, Texas Tech fired Whitaker.[7][8]

Missouri Western State University

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In April 2019, it was announced that Whitaker was selected as the new head women's basketball coach at Missouri Western State University. She led Missouri Western to the 2022 NCAA Division II Elite Eight.[9] Whitaker was also named 2024 MIAA Coach of the Year.[10]

University of North Alabama

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In March 2024, Whitaker was announced as the head coach at North Alabama.[11]

Head coaching record

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
UMKC Kangaroos (Mid-Continent Conference/Summit League) (2006–2012)
2006–07 UMKC* 8–11** 5–8** T-5th
2007–08 UMKC 7–20** 0–15** 9th
2008–09 UMKC 11–18** 6–11** T-6th
2009–10 UMKC 16–16 12–6 5th WBI First Round
2010–11 UMKC 14–16 9–9 6th
2011–12 UMKC 22–12 11–7 3rd WNIT First Round
UMKC: 77–93 (.453)** 43–56 (.434)**
Texas Tech Lady Raiders (Big 12 Conference) (2013–2018)
2013–14 Texas Tech 6–24 0–18 10th
2014–15 Texas Tech 15–16 5–13 10th
2015–16 Texas Tech 13–18 3–15 9th
2016–17 Texas Tech 14–17 5–13 8th
2017–18 Texas Tech 6–7*** 0–2***
Texas Tech: 54–82 (.397) 13–61 (.176)
Missouri Western Griffons (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) (2019–2024)
2019–20 Missouri Western 21–8 13–6 4th Tournament canceled due to COVID-19
2020–21 Missouri Western 6–16 6–16 T-10th
2021–22 Missouri Western 24–10 14–8 5th NCAA Division II Elite Eight
2022–23 Missouri Western 24–7 18–4 3rd
2023–24 Missouri Western 25–6 19–3 1st NCAA Division II First Round
Missouri Western: 100–47 (.680) 70–37 (.654)
North Alabama Lions (ASUN) (2024–present)
2024–25 North Alabama 0–0 0–0
North Alabama: 0–0 (–) 0–0 (–)
Total: 231–222 (.510)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

* Whitaker became interim head coach in December 2006 following the resignation of Bo Overton.[12]

** Reflects 6 games (including 5 conference games) from 2007 to 2009 vacated due to league sanctions.[13]

*** On January 1, 2018, Texas Tech fired Whitaker.[14][15]

Personal life

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Whitaker married her husband Matt Whitaker in April 2007. They have three sons: Westin, William, and Callahan.

References

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  1. ^ "Candi Whitaker named UNA Women's Basketball Head Coach". University of North Alabama Athletics. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  2. ^ "Candace Whitaker Biography". University of Missouri-Kansas City. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  3. ^ "Candi Whitaker". Texas Tech University. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  4. ^ "Candi Whitaker Named Head Women's Basketball Coach". GoGriffons Basketball.
  5. ^ "WBB Record Book 2020" (PDF).
  6. ^ Magelssen, Tommy (May 20, 2013). "Former Lady Raider Candace Whitaker named new Texas Tech women's basketball coach (updated)". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  7. ^ "Texas Tech fires Candi Whitaker, Gray-Miller named interim coach". KJTV Fox 34. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  8. ^ Silva, Carlos Jr. (January 1, 2018). "Texas Tech relieves Whitaker of head coaching duties". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  9. ^ "2022 Division II Women's Basketball Official Bracket | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  10. ^ Kennedy, Brett (2024-03-05). "Missouri Western's Candi Whitaker wins MIAA Coach of the year, Connie Clarke wins Defensive Player of Year". KQ2. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  11. ^ "Candi Whitaker named UNA Women’s Basketball Head Coach" WHNT. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  12. ^ "Overton leaves UMKC mid-season to lead Sky". ESPN. December 13, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  13. ^ 2015–16 UMKC Women's Basketball Media Guide, pp. 64–65
  14. ^ "Texas Tech fires Candi Whitaker, Gray-Miller named interim coach". KJTV Fox 34. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  15. ^ Silva, Carlos Jr. (January 1, 2018). "Texas Tech relieves Whitaker of head coaching duties". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
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