Ann Elliott WhiddenClaim this profile

Women's LacrosseAnn Elliott Whidden

Women's Lacrosse Head Coach

University of Colorado (Boulder)

4.8

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Would Recommend

Overall

5.0

Caring

4.0

Motivational

5.0

Knowledgeable

5.0

Honest

5.0

Tags

CoolDirectKnowledgeableBelieves In YouDirect

Very knowledgeable and reasonable coach. Family oriented and it shows in her coaching. Intense, but it always comes from a good place.

Women's LacrosseAnn Elliott Whidden

Women's Lacrosse Head Coach

University of Colorado (Boulder)

5.0

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Would Recommend

Overall

5.0

Caring

5.0

Motivational

5.0

Knowledgeable

5.0

Honest

5.0

Tags

DirectKnowledgeableDirectFairKnows The Game

Very direct, supportive of her players, and very knowledgeable about the game, and motivational

Women's LacrosseAnn Elliott Whidden

Women's Lacrosse Head Coach

University of Colorado (Boulder)

5.0

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Would Recommend

Overall

5.0

Caring

5.0

Motivational

5.0

Knowledgeable

5.0

Honest

5.0

Tags

HonestKnowledgeable

As a former player from the Colorado women’s lacrosse program, I felt compelled to share my experience with Coach Ann Elliott. I think a lot of what some people may interpret as “social awkwardness” or distance is actually Ann maintaining professional boundaries. She is there to coach, develop athletes and win championships, not to socialize with parents or try to be everyone’s best friend. Personally, I respected that. I always knew where I stood with her, and I appreciated having a coach who focused on making us better rather than trying to be popular. Ann pushed her players to high standards, but she also motivated people in different ways and genuinely cared about the growth of her athletes. One of the things I respected most was that she prepared players for real team environments and real competition. At the college level, not everyone is going to be a starter or even play, and understanding your role on a team matters. Separating scout teams and starters in practice is not uncommon or toxic... it’s standard at competitive college programs and exists to make the team better as a whole. Some of the most respected leaders and captains on our team were not starters and hardly saw the field, which says a lot about how much value was placed on leadership, work ethic, and culture beyond just playing time. Ann cared deeply about her players and held everyone accountable equally. She expected commitment, discipline, and maturity from everyone in the program. Most importantly, I think Ann’s impact becomes even clearer after graduation. Once your playing career is over, she welcomes former players into her life in a completely different way. The relationship evolves from coach player into genuine friendship and mentorship, which speaks volumes about the type of person she is. No coach is perfect, and every athlete’s experience is different. But from my perspective, Ann Elliott is one of the best coaches in the sport because she develops resilient, accountable, team first athletes while maintaining high standards and professionalism.

Women's LacrosseAnn Elliott Whidden

Women's Lacrosse Head Coach

University of Colorado (Boulder)

1.6

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Would Recommend

Overall

2.0

Caring

1.0

Motivational

1.0

Knowledgeable

3.0

Honest

1.0

Tags

Fitness Is ImportantPoor Communication

She can come across as socially awkward, which seems to affect her ability to communicate effectively with her players. She avoids eye contact with people. When the team is winning, the players’ close relationships help them stay connected and push through challenges. However, when the team is struggling, they do not seem able to rely on their coach for the same level of support, guidance, or leadership. The athletes themselves are very close, which helps maintain team morale. However, it feels like the University of Colorado program has the potential to be much stronger, and recruiting may be impacted by her interpersonal style and difficulty connecting with people. Her interactions can sometimes feel distant or uncomfortable, which may make it harder to build trust and strong relationships. There also appears to be inconsistency in how players are treated. Rather than formally cutting athletes, there is a perception that players she no longer wants on the roster may be encouraged to leave on their own. Support also seems uneven depending on a player’s status, with top players who are injured potentially receiving significantly more care, while younger or less established players may feel overlooked. For example, she visited a top player in the hospital but neglected the other athletes in the hospital. Another concern is the division created between starters and non-starters. The groups are frequently separated in practice, which can be discouraging and demoralizing for players outside the starting lineup. Some athletes feel this creates unnecessary exclusion rather than fostering a unified team culture. It has reportedly been brought to her attention by team captains that this dynamic is harmful to team morale and culture, yet the approach has continued.