Marie Christian was named an assistant coach on Karen Barefoot's Elon women's basketball staff in June 2008.
Christian helped Elon reach new heights in 2010-11, as the Phoenix finished the season with a 20-13 record – the program’s best season at the Division I level and only the fifth team program history to reach the 20-win plateau. The Phoenix’s 11 victories inside Alumni Gym marks the most home wins in a single season in the Division I era, while the team’s postseason appearance in the Women’s Basketball Invitational was the first since joining Division I. Elon recorded its 20th win of the season in the WBI after a 103-72 drumming of USC Upstate in the first round. Christian also helped Elon to 12 victories in SoCon play, doubling last year’s total and tying the 2003-04 squad for the most SoCon wins in a season. Under Christian’s guidance, the Phoenix went 9-2 in January after reeling off seven-straight wins, including the program’s first ever win over Chattanooga on the road. Elon won eight SoCon games in a row from Dec. 20 to Jan. 22, which set the program record for consecutive league wins since Elon officially became a member of an athletic conference in 1977-78.
Christian comes to Elon after spending three years as an assistant coach at Old Dominion University. During her three years there, Christian guided the Monarchs to three NCAA Tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2008, and three CAA titles. At ODU, she was primarily responsible for the development of the point guards and perimeter players. She also served as the academic liaison, scouting coordinator and film exchange coordinator. Prior to serving at ODU, Christian was an assistant coach at the University of California at Berkeley, University of Dayton, and at Western Illinois University.
As a player at Old Dominion, Christian was the starting point guard for the Monarch’s 1985 NCAA National Championship team. As a two-year team captain and four-year starter, she also helped the Monarchs to four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament and four consecutive Sunbelt Conference championships. She currently ranks third all-time at ODU in assists and was inducted in the Chicago Public League Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Illinois State Hall of Fame in 1999. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in sports management in 1988.
Christian is responsible for the development of Elon's perimeter players, while assist in recruiting efforts and serving as the liaison for strength and conditioning.
She is also in charge of scheduling and scouting and will as serve as the alumni and academic support liaison.
