After 18 years as an assistant coach for coaching legend Geno Auriemma at UConn, veteran coach Jamelle Elliott is leaving Storrs. She has coached a number of UConn legends during her tenure, but she will now pursue another career outside of coaching once she leaves. She started working under Auriemma from 1998 to 2009, before coming back to Storrs from 2020 to 2026, being a former UConn basketball star herself.
During an episode of her “Bird’s Eye View” podcast, UConn legend Sue Bird paid tribute to the former Geno Auriemma assistant, revealing that Elliott had been at UConn since she was a player there and had won championships as an assistant for the team.
“Last but not least, just wanted to say congratulations to Jamelle Elliott. She is leaving UConn after 18 years as an assistant coach. Want to wish her the best. She was there as an assistant when I was in school,” she said. (7:22)
“She did leave to go to Cincinnati but then came back and has been an assistant for so many national championships. She played at UConn, was a national champion as a player. Can’t wait to see what you do next, Jamelle. Congratulations on some wonderful, wonderful years.”
When she was still a player, Jamelle Elliott became one of the best rebounders in UConn history. She is No. 2 in UConn’s all-time rebounding rankings with 1,054 rebounds to her name and is No. 5 in Big East career rebounding at 558. She can also score, as she is No. 11 in career scoring for UConn at 1,387 career points.
Geno Auriemma Releases Statement on Jamelle Elliott Leaving
Geno Auriemma has been with Jamelle Elliott since she was still a player, and the legendary UConn head coach had some words to say as his long-time assistant and former player leaves to pursue another career.
“Jamelle spent more than 30 years in and around our program as a player and a coach and she was an important piece of seven championships here at UConn,” he said. “She has impacted generations of Connecticut basketball players, whether it was in her playing career as a captain and a leader, or in her coaching tenure as a recruiter, teacher and mentor.”
Auriemma added that the impact that Elliott has had in Storrs was great and that she would be a difficult coach to replace. He did say that he is confident that the former coach will be successful in the next phase of her life.
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