Charel Allen 2023-24 Women's Basketball Staff

Karen & Kevin Keyes Family Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Niele Ivey announced Charel Allen as the new assistant coach on July 20, 2022. Allen graduated from Notre Dame in 2008, becoming one of three current Irish coaches to have graduated from the school. 

In 2023-24, Allen entered her second season under Ivey. It was one to remember, as the former Irish guard was the position coach for freshman phenom Hannah Hidalgo and helped lead the Irish to the ACC Tournament title for the first time since 2019. Hidalgo shattered nearly every record on the books, including but not limited to ACC freshman scoring (790), ACC freshman steals (160), Notre Dame single-season steals (160), Notre Dame single-season points per game (22.6) and Notre Dame freshman single-game scoring (35). Hidalgo was named the ACC Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming just the third player in conference history to win both awards in the same season.

During her inaugural year back on campus, the former Irish guard helped lead Notre Dame to a regular season ACC title using elite guard play. Allen helped coach All-American Olivia Miles and All-ACC shooter Sonia Citron, leading Notre Dame to a second straight Sweet 16 berth.

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Allen was a two-time All-American, two-time First Team All-Big East selection and served as team captain over her final two seasons at Notre Dame. Allen averaged team bests 17.0 points and 6.2 rebounds as a junior then led the Irish to a Sweet 16 berth during her senior year, scoring a career-high 35 points in a second-round overtime win over Oklahoma – which still stands as the second-best Irish scoring performance in the NCAA Tournament. 

She was the first player in school history to amass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists and 200 steals in her career. In fact, she still ranks 15th on the all-time scoring list with 1,566 career points. 

“I’m coming home! I’m extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a powerful leader in Niele and her staff. I can’t wait to get started,” Allen said.

Allen was selected in the third round of the 2008 WNBA Draft by the then Sacramento Monarchs, helping the team advance to the ‘08 WNBA Playoffs.

In 2009, Allen made the leap overseas and played professionally in Bulgaria for eight seasons. Allen was a five-time Bulgarian League champion in addition to being named a four-time All-Bulgarian League First Team selection, with Player of the Year honors in 2014. 

In the summer of 2017, Allen made the shift to the coaching ranks and joined the staff at Cal State Fullerton. She was then promoted to associate head coach in May of 2021. 

At Fullerton, Allen helped with recruiting along with coaching the wings for the Titans. In her first year, Allen saw her shooting guard Hannah Thompson average 12.4 points per game and convert 72 three-pointers – fifth most for a single season. A year later, freshman Amiee Book went on to win the Big West Sixth Player of the Year award and now ranks third in program history for three-point shooting percentage.