AZUSA, Calif. -- Women’s basketball head coach Danelle Bishop has resigned after 4 years at Azusa Pacific, and she has accepted the head coaching position at fellow Golden State Athletic Conference member California Baptist University.
“It’s been an amazing 4 years,” said Bishop. “I’ve learned a ton on the court and off the court, and I’ve met a lot of tremendous people. Azusa Pacific is a great school. One of the 4 cornerstones here is community, and something I felt since Day 1 of my interview 4 years ago was the sense of community. I really enjoyed that, and I’m going to miss the positive environment here.”
Bishop, the sixth head coach in the 37-year history of Azusa Pacific women’s basketball, was the first coach in Cougar history to post 4 straight 20-win seasons and take the Cougars to 4 straight NAIA Tournaments. She also led Azusa Pacific to NAIA Tournament first-round victories in back-to-back seasons in 2005 and 2006, another first for the program.
“We’re sorry to see Danelle leave, but we understand and respect that she made this decision for her family,” said Athletics Director Bill Odell. “We wish her the very best at California Baptist. She did a great job developing our players, and I know she will continue to be successful.”
Bishop compiled a 92-41 overall record, including a 56-24 mark in GSAC play. Her .692 winning percentage ranks as the highest in Azusa Pacific women’s basketball coaching history. She came to Azusa Pacific after 3 seasons as an assistant coach at San Joaquin Delta Junior College in Stockton, Calif. While there, she helped lead the Mustangs to the 2002 state tournament semifinals.
“Azusa Pacific went out on a limb to hire me,” said Bishop. “I had no head coaching experience, but Bill (Odell) took that chance for me, and that means a lot. I appreciate everything he and the entire administration here did. Not too many people take chances, and I’m very appreciative of Bill and the entire athletics administration for everything they did for me.”
Bishop began her coaching career at her alma mater, Tarleton State (Texas), where she spent the 2000 season as a graduate assistant before moving home to join the San Joaquin Delta coaching staff. She played 2 seasons at Tarleton State, averaging 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds while earning 1998 and 1999 All-Lone Star Conference honors.
Azusa Pacific will begin a search for a new women's basketball head coach immediately.
