Coaches
Head Coach
The 2019-20 campaign is Shadae Swan’s fifth season at the helm of the Bowie State University Bulldogs. She served as the Interim Head Coach from January 29, 2015 until the interim title was removed on July 13, 2016. Swan is the 9th Women’s Basketball Coach in program history. Swan believes, “Basketball is more than a sport. It is an instrument that enhances physical endurance, leadership, sportsmanship, time management, respect, loyalty and honesty which are all essential to becoming a successful professional.”
During her time, she has brought stability and shifted the culture of the program. She has developed a program designed to broaden the basketball knowledge and skill set of student-athletes while enabling students to become critical, diverse and effective leaders on and off the court. Having an extensive educational background, Swan places a huge emphasis on academics. Under her leadership, the cumulative grade point average, retention and graduation rates have consistently moved in an upwards direction. Since the beginning of the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll Award Program in 2018, 12 students on the women’s basketball program have received this award (8 with a 3.2 – 3.9 GPA and 4 with a 4.0 GPA). Swan has proven that developing relationships with players that extend outside of basketball, while emphasizing playing with discipline, passion, pride, heart and as a family is a recipe for success. She has led the Bulldogs to three consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins and two consecutive NCAA appearances; neither has been accomplished in over a decade. Seventy-six wins in four years has made Swan the 2nd winningest coach in the program history. Swan’s wins are more than double of the four years preceding her tenure. Swan and her athletes have acquired several Conference and National accolades.
During the 2018-19 season, Swan’s crew won 14 straight games and defeated the WBCA poll ranked #8, Virginia Union. The Bulldogs were selected to participate in the NCAA Division II Tournament, which they were ranked nationally in the top 5 in two categories; 1st in points allowed per game at 49.5 and 3rd in field goal percentage defense. The Bulldogs ended the season with an astonishing record of 22-6. The success of the Bulldogs earned Swan the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) Female Coach of the Year. In addition, accolades were awarded to Kyaja Williams (CIAA All-Conference Team and CIAA All-Tournament Team) and Pere Alexander (CIAA All-Conference Team).
Swan’s 2017-18 campaign gave the Bulldogs another 20 plus win season with a record of 22-10. On February 27, 2018, Swan earned her 50th career win in the Bulldogs’ CIAA tournament win over Shaw University. During the Bulldogs run they advanced to the CIAA Championship game. After receiving an at large bid to the NCAA tournament (first in program history since 2000), the Bulldogs went on to defeat nationally ranked Virginia Union in the first round of the Atlantic Region Tournament. The Bulldogs would also defeat Edinboro University before losing to Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the Atlantic Region Championship game. Swan was a two time CIAA Coach of the Week and Bowie State University Female Coach of the Year. The 2017-18 season brought along many Bulldog accolades to go along with their success. Kiara Colston and Kyah Proctor scored their 1,000th point. Kyah Proctor earned CIAA All-Conference honors and was named Bowie State University Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Kiara Colston, Kyaja Williams and Sade Chatman were all selected to the CIAA All-Tournament Team. Kiara Colston and Kyah Proctor were both members to the NCAA Atlantic Region All-Tournament Team.
Things began to shift during Swan’s second season (2016-17) when the Bulldogs finished the season 20-8, the first 20-win season at Bowie since the 2007-08 season. In January of 2017, the Bulldogs entered the top ten Atlantic Region rankings and continue to elevate in the rankings. During the season, the Bulldogs went on a 10 game winning streak. The Bulldogs received NCAA recognition finishing 7th in points allowed per game at 55.2 for NCAA Division II. Swan was a two time CIAA Coach of the Week. At the conclusion of the season, Kyaja Williams was recognized on the CIAA All-Rookie Team and named Bowie State University Female Student-Athlete of the Year, while Kyah Proctor was selected to the CIAA All-Conference Team. Swan received a scholarship to attend Camp Elevate - For Coaches on the Rise.
In 2015, Swan began her first full season as Interim Head Coach, the team displayed resiliency and toughness start to finish in every game. Despite a six game winning streak and injuries to key players, the Bulldogs finished the season 11-17 which was three more wins than the previous year. During the season, the team defeated Division 1 Coppin State University on the road, and had their first CIAA tournament win since 2012. Swan coached the Bulldogs in the thrilling second round CIAA game against Chowan University where they lost in overtime by two points despite playing the last minutes of the game with only four players. During the season Swan received CIAA Coach of the week honors. Under her leadership, Kiara Colston was named to the CIAA All-Tournament Team.
On January 29, 2015, Swan became the Interim Head Coach at Bowie State University. The Bulldogs won her 1st game on January 31, 2015 against Elizabeth City State University. Despite the hardships of the season, Bowie State Women’s Basketball received the CIAA Sportsmanship Award while Ty-Nita Baker and Donia Naylor both received CIAA All-Conference honors.
Prior to being named Interim Head Coach, Swan served as the Assistant Coach at Bowie State University from 2011-2015. Before arriving to Bowie, Swan coached at Baltimore City Community College where she assisted in leading the team to an undefeated record (27-0) and captured the 2010 Maryland JUCO and JUCO Region XX Championships. During the 2009 season, Swan volunteered at her alma mater, Goucher College, where she assisted with skill development and scouting the opposing teams. Swan began her coaching career in 2008 with Team Melo’s 11 and under girls’ basketball AAU program. With her help, the team won the Maryland Region championship in 2008. In 2009, the team played in an age group higher and placed third in the Maryland Region and fourth in the National D-II Championships.
Swan is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Bowie State University. She is a graduate of Goucher College, where she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching with a dual certification in Elementary / Middle and Special Education in 2014, Master of Education with a specialization in Athletic Administration in 2010, and bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies in 2008. As an undergrad, Swan was a member of the women’s basketball team (2005-2008) where she had a successful career. In Goucher’s record book, Swan is ranked first in 3-point field goals, 3-point percentage (.355) and free throw percentage (.806), free throw percentage in a game (1.00 with 11 attempts); second in scoring with 1,636 points and 3-point field goals made (116); third in scoring average (21.0) and field goals (602); fifth in field goal percentage (.423). During her three years, she received athletic and academic conference honors, led the conference in scoring, and was ranked in the top 15 in NCAA Division III scoring.
During her free time, Swan enjoys spending quality time with her 2-year-old son, AJ.
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach