CIU Names New Women’s Head Basketball Coach

Temple Elmore is the new women’s head basketball coach at Columbia International University after serving as CIU assistant coach for the past two seasons.

Elmore played basketball at the College of Charleston where she is a member of that school’s hall of fame, and is sixth among all-time leading scorers at the school. Named first team All-American by the NAIA and Kodak, Elmore was a three time All-District performer, and went on to play professionally in Sweden for two years, as well as coaching and playing in 12 other countries.

Her 20 years of coaching experience include nine years as an assistant at College of Charleston. She has also coached at the college level at Birmingham-Southern College, Berry College, Converse College, and Northern Arizona University. In addition, she coached high school basketball at Laurens District 55 in South Carolina and at Jeddah United Sports Company, promoting health and sports among women, children and youth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

CIU Athletics Director Kim Abbott says Elmore has the skills, experience and temperament to lead the Lady Rams. 

“She comes with peace and calmness, but also with tremendous passion and conviction,” Abbott said. “I truly believe God placed Temple to be here at CIU at this time to guide our young basketball program. We are thrilled to have her as our next coach.”

Elmore replaces CIU’s first intercollegiate women’s basketball coach Tammy Holder who resigned to care for her aging parents in Virginia.