ADM names Danielle Craig as new head girls basketball coach

ADM recently announced that Danielle Craig has accepted the position of head girls basketball coach at ADM pending board approval.

Craig is no stranger to championship basketball and being a part of high-level basketball. Her playing career in high school included three state tournament appearances (2012, 2013, 2015) and one state championship (2012) at Iowa City West. Her playing career then continued at the Division 1 level at California State Fullerton where she was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman team. After transferring to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse,Craig was a two-year team captain and named Offensive Player of the Year, two times to 1st Team WIAC conference (2018-2019, 2019-2020). In her final year of college, Craig was an NCAA Woman of the Year nominee and University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse Co-Athlete of the Year.

Craig served as an assistant girls basketball coach at Dike-New Hartford High School from 2021-2023 which saw the team win back-to-back state championships. She was hired as a 9-12 physical education teacher at ADM High School for the 2023-24 school year and most recently served as an assistant girls basketball coach for ADM. She is a member of the ADM Strength and Conditioning Staff and holds a Level 1 USAW Strength and Conditioning Coaching Certification.

“ADM is so excited to have Coach Craig lead the girls basketball program,” said ADM Activities Director Rod Wiebers. “Coach Craig has been a transformational leader at all of the levels in her life, including her high school and collegiate playing careers, and her coaching career that includes championship experience. Danielle is passionate about the development of girls basketball players and the sport of basketball and brings a student-athlete-centered approach."

"Coach Craig’s vision for ADM girls basketball along with her background, high-level basketball experiences, and passion has us excited for the future of ADM girls basketball," Wiebers added. "She will raise the standard for ADM girls basketball and we look (forward) to her leadership in our program.”

Craig graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2020 with an exercise and sports science degree with a minor in coaching competitive athletics. She furthered her education by receiving a master’s degree in kinesiology and sports performance from the University of Northern Iowa. While at UNI, she also completed a post-baccalaureate degree program in physical education and health education.

Craig is a native of Coralville where her parents (Dan and Tina Craig) still reside. She has two sisters - Shelby (29) and Heather (23). Her uncle, TJ Craig, is the current track coach at Iowa City West High.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be the next head girls basketball coach at ADM. I believe the ADM community possesses all the necessary components to become a prominent girls' basketball program," Craig said. "Even though I have not been here long, this place has proven to have incredibly special people, and I can’t wait to work with each athlete who chooses to be part of the girl's basketball program.”

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: ADM names Danielle Craig as new head girls basketball coach