Shadae Swan

Shadae Swan became the ninth head coach in Bowie State University women's basketball program Division II history on July 13, 2016 after serving as interim in 2015.

Swan will embark on her 10th season at the helm of the Bowie State women's basketball program to start the 2024-25 season.

During her time at BSU, Swan has brought stability and shifted the culture of the program. Under her leadership, the cumulative grade point average, retention and graduation rates have consistently moved in an upward 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 (eight with a 3.2 – 3.9 GPA and four with a 4.0 GPA). From 2016-2020, Swan led the Bulldogs to three consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins and two consecutive NCAA appearances; neither had been accomplished in over a decade. Seventy-six wins in four years would make Swan the second winningest coach in the program's history and at the time, Swan’s wins were more than double of the four years preceding her tenure.

In the last three seasons, Swan has combined for a .500 record (39-39), including a 12-12 overall record in 2021-22, 14-12 overall record in 2022-23 and 13-15 mark in 2023-24. Most notably, Swan coached Anii Harris who earned All-CIAA recognition, Second Team D2CCA All-Atlantic Region and was named the CIAA Female Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2023-24. That season also saw Harris score her 1,000th career point, becoming the program's 11th scorer all-time. Additionally, during the 2021-22 season, Katerra Myers headline BSU on the CIAA All-Conference Team under Swan's tutelage.

In 2018-19 , 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; first in points allowed per game at 49.5 and third 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 Bulldog's 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. After 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 spent a full season as Interim Head Coach. 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. On October 22, 2021 Swan was inducted into the Goucher College Hall of Fame.

During her free time, Swan enjoys spending quality time with her son, AJ.