ELON, N.C. - Elon University head women's basketball coach Karen Barefoot resigned her position to accept the head coaching job at Old Dominion University, Elon Director of Athletics Dave Blank announced on June 8, 2011.
Barefoot recently completed her third season with the Phoenix during which time Elon recorded a 37-58 record, including a 20-40 mark in the Southern Conference. Barefoot was an assistant coach with the Lady Monarchs for three seasons prior to coming to Elon.
"This is a great move for Karen as she returns to an area with which she is very familiar and has had good success," commented Blank. "We wish her well in this new endeavor. Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately."
Elon had one of its most successful seasons in school history in 2010-11 after finishing with a 20-13 record and doubling its victories in Southern Conference play from a year ago after going 12-8. The team's 20 wins marked the most in program history at the Division I level. Elon also made its first postseason appearance in the Division I era after earning a bid to the Women's Basketball Invitational, where the third-seeded Phoenix posted a first-round win over USC Upstate before falling to eventual champion UAB in the semifinals. Elon also earned a No. 4 seed in the SoCon Tournament - the program's highest seed since joining the league.
"Today is a bittersweet day for me," said Barefoot. "I am extremely grateful to Elon for the opportunity to work for such a great university under the leadership of Director of Athletics Dave Blank and President Leo Lambert. This past year has been a historical year both on and off the court for Elon, but what I'll miss the most is the relationships with the players, coaches and fans."
Over the past three seasons, Elon has recorded eight all-conference selections, two all-state selections, two SoCon All-Tournament honorees and two players earned SoCon Freshman of the Year honors. In the classroom, Elon had 11 players named the academic all-conference team over the past three seasons.