University of Houston Athletics
El Named “Next Up” Finalist
10/18/2022 3:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Houston assistant selected as rising assistant coach with bright head coaching future
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Rising Coaches Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alliance is pleased to announce the finalists for its third annual "Next Up" Head Coaches Training Initiative, which includes University of Houston assistant coach Mansa El.
El began her coaching career as an assistant at West Virginia Wesleyan during the 2013-14 season, moving on to become a graduate assistant on the staff at Houston the following year. She performed in that role for two seasons before being elevated to interim assistant coach for the 2015-16 campaign, then was hired in a full-time assistant capacity at Canisius the next season.
El returned to Houston after spending the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach at the University of South Alabama. During her time with the Jaguars, El managed the defensive game plan, player substitutions, time-out management and foul management during games. She was also responsible for scouting opponents and implementing defensive strategies before each game. Off the court, El managed the academic standing of all student athletes and acted as a marketing liaison for the program.
A two-year letterwinner at South Alabama from 2010-12, El posted 691 points, 247 rebounds, 162 assists and 78 steals in 69 career appearances for the Jaguars. She was named third-team All-Sun Belt as a redshirt junior after averaging 12.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest, and the following season she posted averages of 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds; her efforts helped lead South Alabama to a 17-13 finish each of those years.
El received her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from South Alabama in 2013 and her master's degree in human resource development from Houston in 2016.
"NEXT UP 2022" FINALISTS
Britney Anderson – Stanford – Black Coaches Association
R-Jay Barsh – Florida State – Black Coaches Association
Alvin Brooks III – Baylor – Coaches 4 Change
Tasha Butts – Georgia Tech – Women of Color Coaches Network
Mansa El – Houston – embRACEus
Jeremy Growe – Furman – Jewish Coaches Association
Myia Johnson – Cincinnati – Rising Coaches
Akeem Miskdeen – Georgia – Be Ready
Jonneshia Pineda – Louisville – Latino Association of Basketball Coaches
Anthony Santos – Cal State Fullerton – Asian Coaches Association
Candice Walker – St. Johns – Women of Color Coaches Network
Kimani Young – UCONN – Coaches For Action
So far, four alums from the Next Up Initiative have gone on to receive head coaching jobs, including Ben Johnson at Minnesota (Coaches For Action), Ganiyat Adeduntan at Colgate (Women of Color Coaches Network), Surina Dixon at Lane College (Women of Color Coaches Network) and Jason Hart of the G League Ignite (Black Coaches Association).
The 12 member organizations who make up the DEI Alliance each nominated two coaches to represent their groups. Of the nominees, 12 coaches were selected by a DEI committee to participate in the Next Up Training Initiative in late October.
"Thank you to all the organizations and the nominees. They all presented themselves exceptionally well and have bright futures as head coaches," said Darryl Jacobs, Executive Director for the Rising Coaches DEI Alliance. "I commend the DEI staff of Kym Hampton, Brian Burton and Adam Gordon for their hard work and commitment in the selection process."
The DEI Alliance partners with a different search firm executive each year to help facilitate "Next Up." This year's Next Up workshop will be led by Senior Associate for Parker Executive Search, DeLaina Jordan.
"In order to develop deep and diverse pools of candidates for our client's consideration, we, as consultants, have to be intentional in continuously developing a diverse network of our own," said Jordan. "Partnering with the Next Up Initiative provides a great platform for me to connect with the rising stars of our industry, in particular those from underrepresented groups, while also helping them to develop a better understanding of one of the more integral parts of the search process – navigating the interview."
DEI ALLIANCE
The DEI Alliance is made up of 12 different minority coaches and social justice organizations. Their mission is to use their platform as leaders in sports to impact change in the profession and their communities. For more information, visit www.risingcoaches.com/DEI-alliance.
Rising Coaches is an inclusive membership-based organization for coaches of all levels. They provide relationships, resources and job opportunities to their 1,500+ members. For more information, visit www.risingcoaches.com
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the FAST BREAK CLUB
Fans are invited to join the Fast Break Club to support Houston Women's Basketball. Fast Break Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about the Fast Break Club, click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
El began her coaching career as an assistant at West Virginia Wesleyan during the 2013-14 season, moving on to become a graduate assistant on the staff at Houston the following year. She performed in that role for two seasons before being elevated to interim assistant coach for the 2015-16 campaign, then was hired in a full-time assistant capacity at Canisius the next season.
El returned to Houston after spending the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach at the University of South Alabama. During her time with the Jaguars, El managed the defensive game plan, player substitutions, time-out management and foul management during games. She was also responsible for scouting opponents and implementing defensive strategies before each game. Off the court, El managed the academic standing of all student athletes and acted as a marketing liaison for the program.
A two-year letterwinner at South Alabama from 2010-12, El posted 691 points, 247 rebounds, 162 assists and 78 steals in 69 career appearances for the Jaguars. She was named third-team All-Sun Belt as a redshirt junior after averaging 12.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest, and the following season she posted averages of 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds; her efforts helped lead South Alabama to a 17-13 finish each of those years.
El received her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from South Alabama in 2013 and her master's degree in human resource development from Houston in 2016.
"NEXT UP 2022" FINALISTS
Britney Anderson – Stanford – Black Coaches Association
R-Jay Barsh – Florida State – Black Coaches Association
Alvin Brooks III – Baylor – Coaches 4 Change
Tasha Butts – Georgia Tech – Women of Color Coaches Network
Mansa El – Houston – embRACEus
Jeremy Growe – Furman – Jewish Coaches Association
Myia Johnson – Cincinnati – Rising Coaches
Akeem Miskdeen – Georgia – Be Ready
Jonneshia Pineda – Louisville – Latino Association of Basketball Coaches
Anthony Santos – Cal State Fullerton – Asian Coaches Association
Candice Walker – St. Johns – Women of Color Coaches Network
Kimani Young – UCONN – Coaches For Action
So far, four alums from the Next Up Initiative have gone on to receive head coaching jobs, including Ben Johnson at Minnesota (Coaches For Action), Ganiyat Adeduntan at Colgate (Women of Color Coaches Network), Surina Dixon at Lane College (Women of Color Coaches Network) and Jason Hart of the G League Ignite (Black Coaches Association).
The 12 member organizations who make up the DEI Alliance each nominated two coaches to represent their groups. Of the nominees, 12 coaches were selected by a DEI committee to participate in the Next Up Training Initiative in late October.
"Thank you to all the organizations and the nominees. They all presented themselves exceptionally well and have bright futures as head coaches," said Darryl Jacobs, Executive Director for the Rising Coaches DEI Alliance. "I commend the DEI staff of Kym Hampton, Brian Burton and Adam Gordon for their hard work and commitment in the selection process."
The DEI Alliance partners with a different search firm executive each year to help facilitate "Next Up." This year's Next Up workshop will be led by Senior Associate for Parker Executive Search, DeLaina Jordan.
"In order to develop deep and diverse pools of candidates for our client's consideration, we, as consultants, have to be intentional in continuously developing a diverse network of our own," said Jordan. "Partnering with the Next Up Initiative provides a great platform for me to connect with the rising stars of our industry, in particular those from underrepresented groups, while also helping them to develop a better understanding of one of the more integral parts of the search process – navigating the interview."
DEI ALLIANCE
The DEI Alliance is made up of 12 different minority coaches and social justice organizations. Their mission is to use their platform as leaders in sports to impact change in the profession and their communities. For more information, visit www.risingcoaches.com/DEI-alliance.
Rising Coaches is an inclusive membership-based organization for coaches of all levels. They provide relationships, resources and job opportunities to their 1,500+ members. For more information, visit www.risingcoaches.com
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the FAST BREAK CLUB
Fans are invited to join the Fast Break Club to support Houston Women's Basketball. Fast Break Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about the Fast Break Club, click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
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