Despite a shortage of women coaches, when we take the helm, we get results!
By Austin Woman
It’s no surprise that the number of women who coach professional or collegiate teams and athletes are few and far between. That being said, with the continued efforts of college sports organizations, nationally, the number of coaches in certain sports has increased. In a report compiled by Jenn Hatfield of High Post Hoops, 222 head coaches in women’s college basketball are female, making up about 63% of the league. This is the highest percentage since the 2010-11 season. At the professional level, in the 2022 NFL season, there were 15 female coaches; the NBA has also had 15 women as assistant coaches in its history. In Austin, the list of female coaches, while minimal, has garnered some exceptional results.
Female Coaches
Compiled by Georgia Valles
Elena Lovato, UT Women’s Basketball associate head coach
In 2001, Elena Lovato played for the Puerto Rican Women’s Basketball League. Since then, she has played and coached many women in states like Mississippi and New Mexico. When she came to Texas, UT Austin’s women’s basketball team had their minds set on her. After a brief break to spend time with her dad in his “golden years,” Lovato has returned to UT for her second season as associate coach. Recently, the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches named Lovato the Division I Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year for her efforts to get the Longhorns to a 26-10 overall record. The university and its players have greatly acknowledged her passion for coaching the women of the UT basketball team. Her players, both of previous years and newcomers, erupted in celebration of her return to UT.
Carol Capitani, UT Women’s Swimming and Diving coach
An English major turned star women’s swimming and diving coach, Carol Capitani is loved by many. Leading the Longhorns Women’s Swimming and Diving team to a runner-up finish at the 2022 NCAA Championship, Capitani has a lifetime of experience in the pool. Recently completing her 10th season as head coach of the Longhorns, Capitani has led the women’s team to multiple championships and awards. She has attracted athletes who have uprooted their lives to train with her, including Olympian Leah Smith. This summer, Capitani is head women’s coach in Japan at the World Aquatics Championships. Her position in a World Championship will be the first time a woman has been selected as head coach of a U.S. team since the 2012 Olympics.
Brieanna Spears, Austin Valkyries head coach
A rugby player for half her life, Brieanna Spears is leading the Austin Valkyries as head coach. As a player turned coach, Spears knows of the hard work her players put into their game. She likes to focus on the smaller details while encouraging the premiere women’s rugby club to grow as players and people. The nonprofit club started in 1991, and now as head coach, Spears hopes to expand women’s rugby in Austin. Her passion and knowledge of rugby helps new players succeed in their dedication to the sport. When not on the field, she can be found playing with her bulldogs at home.
Kate Golden, UT Women’s Golf associate head coach
Added to the UT Austin 2022 Hall of Honor, former Longhorn Kate Golden paved the way for women in golf at UT Austin. She is in her 13th season on the university’s coaching staff, training some of their best female golfers. Golden started golfing at the age of 12, playing around clubs in Austin, before settling in at UT. After college, she played for 18 years on the LPGA tour, where she had more than 30 appearances in major championships. As a coach, she hopes her players are appreciative of what they learned from her and her fun, bubbly personality everyone loves. “Kate,” as her UT family calls her, is the embodiment of a lifetime Longhorn.
