A Fresh Coaching Landscape
Head coach Charlotte Smith unveiled the 2026‑27 staff changes for the Elon women's basketball program, signaling a blend of continuity and new leadership as the team looks to build on recent successes.
Shay Burnett, a native of Graham and one of the program's most celebrated alumni, will return as Director of Player Development and Video, a role she previously held before gaining international coaching experience.
Burnett's playing career at Elon from 2014 to 2018 was marked by three consecutive All‑CAA First Team selections, a 2017‑18 CAA Preseason Player of the Year award, and a 1,000‑point career milestone that also included 500 assists and 400 rebounds.
Her contributions helped the Phoenix capture back‑to‑back CAA Championships and secure consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, and she capped her collegiate journey with a gold medal at the 2018 FISU America Games.
Since graduating, Burnett has coached in several countries, including stints in Sweden, Finland, Ireland and Mexico, bringing a global perspective that Smith believes will enrich the program's development pipeline.
Davenport's Ascension
Shelbie Davenport, who served three seasons as Director of Player Development and Video, has been promoted to Assistant Coach. Her ascent reflects the program's confidence in her analytical acumen and player‑focused approach.
Davenport's promotion follows a period of steady growth within the support staff, underscoring the university's commitment to internal talent development.
Both Burnett and Davenport bring a blend of former player insight and modern analytical expertise, positioning the program to remain competitive in the CAA and on the national stage.
Looking Ahead
Coach Smith emphasized that the new staff configuration is designed to sustain the momentum built over the past few seasons, with an eye toward deeper tournament runs and continued player growth.
The university community anticipates that the experienced coaching duo will help translate the program's strong recruiting classes into tangible on‑court results in the upcoming campaign.