Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton

Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience to her role as the 10th head women’s basketball coach at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), having been named to the position in March 2024. In her inaugural season, she guided the Braves to a 22-9 record and a 15-5 mark in Conference Carolinas play while securing the team’s third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Under her leadership, three players earned All-Conference status and four secured Academic All-District honors. The 2024-25 squad ranked in the top three of the conference in five statistical categories, with individual leaders in assists, defensive rebounds and three-point makes. Samuels-Eaton’s journey to head coach at UNCP is rooted in strong connection and continuity with the program. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she was a four-year letter-winner at Western Carolina University, where she compiled 721 points and 524 rebounds, concluded her playing career with a SoCon Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament berth, and earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2009. She went on to earn a master’s degree in physical education and sport science in 2011, and in May 2024 completed her doctorate in Global Sport Leadership from East Tennessee State University. Prior to her current role, she served as both assistant and associate head coach at UNCP and as associate head coach at Western Carolina, as well as working in operations at Wake Forest. Her blend of leadership, scholarship, and competitive success positions her to further build the Braves program both on and off the court.