Women's Basketball

Candice Leatherwood is the new head coach for the women's basketball program, beginning in 2024-25. A graduate of NCAA Division I program Sacred Heart, Leatherwood returns to the other SHU in Adrian, Mich., where she was previously a graduate assistant. After her time with the Saints, Leatherwood returned to Sacred Heart for an assistant coach position before coming back to Siena Heights to become head coach. 

Leatherwood expressed her excitement and commitment to the program, stating, "I am deeply honored to lead this talented group of women. Our focus will be on fostering a culture of excellence, both on and off the court. I am eager to build on the team's strong foundation and guide them to new heights." 

Leatherwood joins Siena Heights University following a three-year stint at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, where she served as the assistant coach to the women's basketball program. Leatherwood graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, where she was also a member of the women's basketball team. After completing her undergraduate education, Leatherwood attended Siena Heights University and graduated with a Master's in Business Administration in 2021. She served as a graduate assistant for the women's basketball program and was the head coach of the JV team during that time.  

At Siena Heights University, Leatherwood was responsible for guard development, scouting reports, recruiting, game scheduling and transportation for the JV squad, and more. In addition, Leatherwood was part of the staff that helped set the school record for most wins in a season and assisted in coaching a two-time WHAC Player of the Year and four All-Conference WHAC players.  

After obtaining her master's degree, Leatherwood returned to Sacred Heart University as an assistant coach and assisted the team with defensive development, handled incoming freshmen compliance and applications, developed the guards, and assisted in scouting, game and practice planning, on-court coaching, and skill development. Under her leadership, Leatherwood coached two-time players of the year (Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year), as well as helping four athletes earn selections to the Northeast Conference Teams. In 2023 and 2024, Sacred Heart University took home the title as the regular season champions and Northeast Conference champions. In those same years, Sacred Heart had First Four appearances in the NCAA Tournament.  

"I am extremely excited for Candice to lead our program into the next chapter.  With Candice formerly on staff, she will be able to take a part of what we have done here in the past 20 years as well as bring her own leadership style and philosophy to make it even better.  Candice has a passion for young adults and basketball and is a great teacher," said Vice President of Athletics Sue Syljebeck. "Her history demonstrates how the programs she works vastly improve, and I know Siena Heights women's basketball program will be in good hands."