On Friday, UTSA women’s basketball coach Karen Aston rounded out the 2026-27 staff with the announcement that Samuel Limehouse would be promoted to assistant coach/video coordinator, while Max Cheap joins the program as a graduate assistant after graduating from Oklahoma State.
“It’s a joy to announce that Sam has been elevated to assistant coach/video coordinator,” said Aston. “He has worked very selflessly to help move the needle for our program and it is a well-deserved promotion. Sam has an infectious personality and a real passion for the game and desire to grow as a coach. A great combination in this business. I’m excited to see him grow.”
Limehouse spent the 2025-26 season as a graduate assistant, a campaign to remember as UTSA reached its first NCAA Tournament since 2009 after winning four games in four days to claim the American Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship. It was the Roadrunners’ first tournament title since 2009 and the third in program history.
Cheap makes his way to the Alamo City after spending two years in Stillwater, Oklahoma, as a practice player/student manager. Before his time with the Cowgirls, he played two seasons for the men’s team at Allen Community College in Iola, Kansas. Cheap made headlines as a member of the ‘Juice Boys, ’ playing a key role in preparing the Cowgirls for game days and creating one of the highest-energy locker rooms in college basketball.
“Max joins UTSA from a program in Stillwater that has a culture of expectations that will transfer well to our program. He is eager to learn and excited to be a part of our continuing build. I am looking forward to adding to his learning toolbox of coaching basketball,” said Aston.
Alongside Limehouse and Cheap, Cameron Miles returns for his sixth season on the staff and second as an associate head coach, helping Aston and the program reach new heights, including the 2024-25 regular-season championship, when the squad went 26-4, 17-1 in league play. That season, UTSA logged the most wins and most conference wins in program history, going a perfect 13-0 at the Convocation Center.
“Coach Miles stepped into the associate job last year beautifully and has been the consistent rock on our staff,” said Aston. “He is a rising star, as I have said many times, and as he adds elements to his ‘coaching bag’, he continues to rise. He is on his way to being a head coach, and I am just happy that he keeps committing to this journey here. You really can’t substitute loyalty and commitment in this profession. He brings both of those to UTSA women’s basketball.”
Former Roadrunner Chantel Govan is back for her third season on the staff as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator and adds lead guard coach to her duties for the 2026-27 campaign. Govan, who played for UTSA during the 2021-22 campaign, has climbed the ladder, mentoring 2024-25 American Conference Newcomer of the Year, All-Newcomer and All-Conference Second Team selection, Nina De Leon Negron, as well as 2026 American All-Tournament pick, Ereauna Hardaway, along the way.
“I have loved watching Chantel blossom on our coaching staff,” said Aston. “I am incredibly happy for the coaches that have moved on, but equally happy to watch a young coach like Chantel continue to earn her “stripes.” As she steps into a new role with our guards, she continues to rise to the challenge each day. She has been here since day one, and I am pleased to reward her with new responsibilities for her commitment to our success.”
In her third year on the bench, Sophia Ramos initially served as player development coordinator before becoming an assistant coach, and she now takes on the responsibility of leading the defense. Notably, UTSA’s defense has been its strongest aspect over the past three seasons. Over the course of the ‘Runners 2026 American Tournament title, UTSA held opponents to just 46.5 points per game and a 29.6 field goal percentage.
“I know I sound like a broken record, but I have a lot of brilliant rising stars on my staff, and Sophia is one of them,” said Aston. I appreciate her attention to detail and IQ, but also her willingness to step outside of her comfort zone and learn new aspects of the game, which has just improved her skill set as a coach and mentor for our young ladies. Sophia will take on defense as part of her responsibilities this year as she continues to help UTSA women’s basketball grow.”
A standout from her time on the court with the Roadrunners, Kyra White will spend her second year on the staff as an assistant coach, following a season as the program’s director of operations. White played professionally for Fr. Mathews Basketball Club in the Irish Super League across 2024-25, averaging 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists. As a guard at UTSA, White guided the ‘Runners to the program’s first-ever postseason victory – an 80-62 routing of Northern Colorado in the opening round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament.
“While I appreciate Kyra taking on the DOBO role last year, I am so excited for her to transition on the court,” said Aston. “Kyra played for us and completely understands the nuances of our system so she will be able to ease right into coaching. Some people are born to do certain things in life, and she is one of those who is called to coach. I am excited for her and our team, and I am excited to be part of her coaching journey.”
Rounding out the changes, Elyssa Coleman returns as director of operations, a role she filled in 2024-25, ahead of a stint as assistant coach at ULM. In her lone season with the Warhawks, she helped the squad to a winning record and 17 victories, a seven-win improvement. A former star for UTSA, Coleman wrapped up her playing career at UTSA, becoming the program’s all-time blocking leader, swatting 140 shots and joining the 500-rebound club with 588 boards, representing the ninth-most in program history.
“We are thrilled that Elyssa has decided to come back to the program,” said Aston. “She is and will always be an integral part, as she understands the culture that we have built here and wants to help us continue to move the needle forward for UTSA Basketball. Now that she has experience on the coaching side, I believe she can bring a different perspective to the mentoring of our student-athletes, along with input for our staff. Welcome back to the navy and orange, Elyssa!”
UTSA also makes an adjustment to its support staff, with Hannah Kenney taking over as the program’s athletic trainer and Jaycie Staples as the sports performance coach.
https://goutsa.com/news/2026/09/4/karen-aston-announces-2026-27-utsa-womens-basketball-staff
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