N.C. State’s West named women’s basketball assistant coach

June 17, 2019
Categories: General News Tags: Athletics

Former N.C. State Associate Head Coach Nikki West has joined the Charlotte 49ers women’s basketball team. West, who was with the Wolfpack for five years, has worked at UT Chattanooga and USC Upstate and has been a part of eight NCAA Tournament teams.

“We are thrilled that Nikki is joining our Niner family,” said head women’s basketball coach Cara Consuegra. “Nikki is a star in our profession and has been a winner in every place she has been. Her reputation as a recruiter and developer of post players is top notch, but most importantly, Nikki is a developer of young women. She will join us in our mission to build young ladies through our core values of H.E.A.R.T. We look forward to the great impact her wisdom, leadership and character will have on our program and the Charlotte 49ers community.”

In her five seasons as associate head coach at N.C. State, West helped the Wolfpack to three NCAA Tournaments, including the 2018 Sweet 16, and an overall record of 112-52. N.C. State was 51-29 in ACC play during that time.

“Words cannot express how excited I am to begin this journey at Charlotte,” West said. “I’m very thankful to Coach Consuegra for affording me this opportunity to continue living out my dreams. Go Niners.”

Prior to N.C. State, West coached at Chattanooga from 2004-13 and enjoyed five NCAA Tournament appearances. She was associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for her final three seasons, after spending six years as an assistant coach.

West began her collegiate coaching at USC-Upstate as an assistant coach from 2002-04. She assisted in all aspects of recruiting and served as the academic coordinator for women’s basketball.

An all-Atlantic Coast Conference player at Clemson, the former Nikki Blassingame earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She helped lead the Tigers to four NCAA Tournament appearances while playing in 126 career games from 1996-99. In 1999, the Tigers won a school record 26 games and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.

A native of Seneca, South Carolina, West is married to Marcus West, the assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator for the Charlotte 49ers’ football team.