Nov. 5, 2013
TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT: Ashley Earley
Assistant coach
Eight years after she last put on a Vanderbilt uniform, Ashley Earley continues to have an enormously positive impact on the program.
Earley, who was a highly-decorated player for the Commodores from 2002-05, joined the Vanderbilt coaching staff this summer, and now works with the team’s post players and is involved in recruiting.
To say that Earley connects with the players is an understatement. She knows, first-hand, not only what it takes to be a student-athlete at Vanderbilt, but knows exactly what it takes to excel in that capacity.
She notched 1,382 points and 811 rebounds in her career with the Commodores, and was a First-Team All-SEC pick as a senior. She was then drafted by the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, and went on to play professionally for the Maccabi Tel Kabir in Israeil.
After her career, she joined the coaching ranks, including stops at Alabama, Tennessee Tech and Rhode Island, among others. She then came full circle last summer, returning to her alma mater and joining Melanie Balcomb’s staff.
Today, Earley is in the spotlight as we continue our Countdown to Tipoff. Earley recently sat down for an interview with vucommodores.com to talk about the coming season and a few other topics. Here’s what she had to say:
FIVE QUESTIONS WITH ASHLEY
QUESTION: We will start with the obvious question: How much have you enjoyed being back at Vanderbilt?
ASHLEY: The opportunity to come back and coach at my alma mater was too special to pass up. It has been a dream come true. Vanderbilt has greatly helped shape me into the woman I am today. My student-athlete experience has given back to me in both my life and career and it will continue giving back for the rest of my life. A Vanderbilt education allows you to be the best and have it all in all areas of life – on and off the court. The people that surround this program are second to none, this includes our fans, players, staff, and administration. Everyone is invested in the future of Vanderbilt women’s basketball. The fact that I have an opportunity to share that experience with the young women that represent Vanderbilt today is incredible.
QUESTION: Was there a point and time during your playing career when you first begin to envision yourself becoming a coach? Or was that something you had been planning and hoping to do?
ASHLEY: I actually first began to envision myself as a coach the summer after graduation. Prior to that I had thought about following in my sister’s footsteps and becoming an attorney. I worked several summer camps and gave individual lessons that summer and felt the same passion giving back to the children I was coaching as I did when I was on the floor with my teammates. It was a feeling I could not ignore and (it was) my sign that coaching was in my future. Now I am exactly where I’m meant to be. I’m fortunate to have played at Vanderbilt and to have had an opportunity to be a student of the game as a player.
QUESTION: The Vanderbilt roster includes some post players who are rising stars in the SEC. How enjoyable is it to work with them and see them begin to reach their potential?
ASHLEY: It truly is a joy to come into work everyday. I love working with these young women. The post players here already have a sound foundation with the footwork and terminology I’ve been using with them. As they combine their basketball IQ, work ethic and desire, the sky is the limit for them. Working with them on and off the court and seeing them reach new heights is what this profession is about. This is why I coach.
QUESTION: Having played at Vanderbilt, do you feel like you have a special connection with the players?
ASHLEY: Being an alum and having played for Coach Balcomb makes my experience here even more special. As a coach we are always teaching players and often times speaking of past experiences. Having earned a degree from Vanderbilt while playing under Coach Balcomb, I can speak directly to our players. I have seen and experienced Vanderbilt from their perspectives and that is special. It is personal.
QUESTION: What are some of your favorite things to do away from basketball?
ASHLEY: Nashville is such an awesome city! I have had the opportunity to travel the world and Nashville is still my favorite place to be. There is SO much to do here. I love music, so I would say going to concerts is my favorite thing to do here in Nashville. We also have great restaurants. Having a great dinner and going to a concert at the Ryman would be a perfect night for me!
