Essence Baucom is in her first season as an assistant coach on the Paladin women's basketball staff. Baucom comes to Furman following two years as a graduate assistant at N.C. State.
"Essence is an up-and-coming star in the coaching world," said Carson at the time of Baucom's hiring. "The experience she gained at N.C. State, combined with a stellar and successful playing career at former SoCon foe, Elon, makes her a great fit for our program. She has a great rapport with players, and we are excited to have her help develop our young corps of guards. I'm very confident she will be a great addition to our coaching staff and program."
Baucom played a key role in N.C. State posting a 28-4 record in 2019-20 and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Championship — the program's first since 1991 — by working with the Wolfpack guards and thru scouting and practice preparation, among other duties associated with the program.
Prior to joining the staff at N.C. State, Baucom held positions as a solutions specialist with UPS Capital and assistant basketball coach at Lakeside High School in Atlanta, Ga., assistant marketing coordinator with U.S. Sports Management in Indian Trail, N.C., and as facilities and sporting events/summer camps coordinator at Elon University, her alma mater, from 2015-18.
Baucom enjoyed an outstanding playing career at Elon, starring at point guard and serving as team captain her junior and senior campaigns. A two-time Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year selection, she earned 2017 CAA All-Tournament honors after helping lead the Phoenix to a CAA Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from Elon in sport and event management and marketing, with a minor in business administration, and collected a master's degree in liberal studies from N.C. State in May of 2020.
