Candi Whitaker

Candace Elizabeth Whitaker (née White; born April 22, 1980) is an American college basketball coach who is currently the women's basketball head coach at North Alabama.^[1] Previously, Whitaker was head coach at UMKC and Texas Tech. After playing college basketball at Texas Tech, Whitaker returned to her alma mater to fill the position after former coach Kristy Curry left to coach at Alabama.^[2][3] In April 2019, it was announced that Whitaker was selected as the new head women's basketball coach at Missouri Western State University.^[4]

Candi Whitaker

Current position
Title	Head coach
Team	North Alabama
Conference	ASUN
Record	0–0 (–)
Biographical details
Born	(1980-04-22) April 22, 1980 (age 45) Canyon, Texas, U.S.
Playing career
1998–2000	Seward County CC
2000–2002	Texas Tech
Position	Point guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2002–2004	Valparaiso (asst.)
2004–2006	UMKC (asst.)
2006–2012	UMKC
2012–2013	Oklahoma State (assoc.)
2013–2018	Texas Tech
2019–2024	Missouri Western State
2024–present	North Alabama
Head coaching record
Overall	231–222 (.510)

Coaching career

Kansas City (UMKC)

In the middle of the 2006-07 season, Whitaker was named the eighth coach in Kansas City Roos' history, replacing Bo Overton. She coached her first game in the Roos' conference opener, a 51-to-48 victory over Chicago State. She coached at Kansas City until the end of the 2011-12 year, compiling an overall record of 41-65. In her time at Kansas City, Whitaker led the Roos to two separate fourth-place Summit League finishes, in 2009-10 and 2011-12.^[5]

Texas Tech University

Following Kristy Curry's departure from Alabama on May 11, 2013, Whitaker was named the new head coach at Texas Tech University on May 20, 2013.^[6] On January 1, 2018, Texas Tech fired Whitaker.^[7][8]

Missouri Western State University

In April 2019, it was announced that Whitaker was selected as the new head women's basketball coach at Missouri Western State University. She led Missouri Western to the 2022 NCAA Division II Elite Eight.^[9] Whitaker was also named 2024 MIAA Coach of the Year.^[10]

University of North Alabama

In March 2024, Whitaker was announced as the head coach at North Alabama.^[11]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview

Season	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Postseason
UMKC Kangaroos (Mid-Continent Conference/Summit League) (2006–2012)
2006–07	UMKC*	8–11**	5–8**	T-5th
2007–08	UMKC	7–20**	0–15**	9th
2008–09	UMKC	11–18**	6–11**	T-6th
2009–10	UMKC	16–16	12–6	5th	WBI First Round
2010–11	UMKC	14–16	9–9	6th
2011–12	UMKC	22–12	11–7	3rd	WNIT First Round
UMKC:		77–93 (.453)**	43–56 (.434)**
Texas Tech Lady Raiders (Big 12 Conference) (2013–2018)
2013–14	Texas Tech	6–24	0–18	10th
2014–15	Texas Tech	15–16	5–13	10th
2015–16	Texas Tech	13–18	3–15	9th
2016–17	Texas Tech	14–17	5–13	8th
2017–18	Texas Tech	6–7***	0–2***
Texas Tech:		54–82 (.397)	13–61 (.176)
Missouri Western Griffons (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) (2019–2024)
2019–20	Missouri Western	21–8	13–6	4th	Tournament canceled due to COVID-19
2020–21	Missouri Western	6–16	6–16	T-10th
2021–22	Missouri Western	24–10	14–8	5th	NCAA Division II Elite Eight
2022–23	Missouri Western	24–7	18–4	3rd
2023–24	Missouri Western	25–6	19–3	1st	NCAA Division II First Round
Missouri Western:		100–47 (.680)	70–37 (.654)
North Alabama Lions (ASUN) (2024–present)
2024–25	North Alabama	0–0	0–0
North Alabama:		0–0 (–)	0–0 (–)
Total:		231–222 (.510)
National champion         Postseason invitational champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion       Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion       Conference tournament champion

* Whitaker became interim head coach in December 2006 following the resignation of Bo Overton.^[12]

** Reflects 6 games (including 5 conference games) from 2007 to 2009 vacated due to league sanctions.^[13]

*** On January 1, 2018, Texas Tech fired Whitaker.^[14][15]

Personal life

Whitaker married her husband Matt Whitaker in April 2007. They have three sons: Westin, William, and Callahan.