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Itoro Coleman begins her fourth year as an assistant with the Clemson women's basketball program after an All-ACC playing career at Clemson. Versatile on the court, Coleman works with both the perimeter and the post players.
"Itoro brings invaluable experience in that she played here and was a student here," McKinney said. "Her personality and ability to communicate with our student-athletes is also a tremendous asset. I know for a fact she was a tremendous player here, so she can translate her passion for the game into coaching the players."
"Itoro's passion for Clemson will also be a tremendous asset in recruiting. She is selling a known product."
Coleman, formerly Itoro Umoh, led the Lady Tigers to a pair of ACC Tournament championships. Clemson won the conference title her freshman year, 1995-96, and her senior year, 1998-99. She was the tournament's MVP as a senior, in addition to a first-team All-ACC selection. That same season, she was an honorable mention AP All-American. She was selected to the ACC's 50-Year Anniversary team in 2002, one of four Clemson players honored by the conference.
As a coach, she helped the Lady Tigers to a 17-12 record and a WNIT appearance in 2003-04, her second season coaching with the program. As an assistant in 2002-03, she guided Chrissy Floyd to first-team All-ACC honors. In 2003-04, she helped Lakeia Stokes earn the same honors.
Coleman also tutored current Lady Tiger point guard Tasha Taylor to average 5.59 assists per game last season, a mark that ranked third in the ACC and 19th in the nation.
An experienced recruiter, she was instrumental in Clemson's signing of South Carolina standout Lele Hardy, the 2006 State AAAA player of the year and South Carolina's Ms. Basketball last season. Coleman, who has worked primarily with guards during her time at Clemson, also helped bring in D'Lesha Lloyd and Tasha Taylor, both of whom the coaching staff expects great results out of this season.
As part of the recruiting process, Coleman is responsible for each potential student-athlete's experience while on an official visit. She organizes recruits' accommodations and travel arrangements, along with planning meetings with university and athletic administration.
Once a recruit enters her senior year of high school, Coleman becomes her primary contact within the Clemson program. She continues to handle communication once a recruit has signed a National Letter of Intent, informing her of the team's progress and of any other Clemson news.
In addition to her collegiate success, Coleman gained significant international experience in the summer of 2004 as part of the Nigerian national team at the Olympic Games. She averaged 9.0 points per game over five preliminary contests, highlighted by a 12-point, six-rebound performance in the opening round versus Australia.
Coleman again participated with the Nigerian national team in the fall of 2006 at the FIBA World Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She led all players in the tournament with a 5.8 assist per game ratio, handing out 29 in Nigeria's five games.
Coleman graduated from Clemson in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in speech and communications. She served as a student assistant coach at Liberty in 1999-00 and was an assistant coach at Butler from 2000 to 2002. She also pursued a professional basketball career and became the first Lady Tiger named to a WNBA active roster in 2000-01.
The native of Hephzibah, GA is married to Harold Coleman. The couple has a two-year-old daughter, Jada, and resides in Seneca, SC.
