Cal Poly women’s basketball head coach Shanele Stires has announced the addition of proven winner, developer and leader Ed Daniels as the program’s newest assistant coach.
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Daniels played guard at Bakersfield College from 2013-15 before beginning a professional playing career in Ireland, Spain and Canada.
Daniels then spent much of his early coaching career in Texas, helping guide Dynamic Prep to national prominence as an assistant coach before leading the school’s inaugural women’s team this past season as its first head coach.
“Coach Ed is a tireless worker whose passion for developing young people is unmatched,” Stires said. “Whether through his youth club program or his high school prep academy, he has developed All-Americans, scholar-athletes, national champions and professional players.
“Our players, staff and program will benefit greatly from Coach Ed’s expertise, experience and passion. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Cal Poly and excited to have him join our family.”
Daniels has built an impressive résumé early in his coaching career. His John Paul II squad captured the TAPPS 6A state championship in 2021-22, while Dynamic Prep compiled an impressive list of accomplishments, including the 2024-25 MaxPreps National Championship, the 2025-26 Overtime Elite Championship and back-to-back TCAL 6A state championships in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He has also helped dozens of student-athletes advance to the NCAA Division I level.
Stires expects Daniels to make an immediate impact in multiple areas of the program.
“Coach Ed will work directly with our players on skill development,” Stires said. “He’ll be instrumental in opponent scouting and game preparation, and he’ll make an immediate impact with his strong recruiting ties throughout Texas.”
Daniels said he is excited for the opportunity to continue growing professionally while learning under Stires.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the Cal Poly family,” Daniels said. “From my very first conversations with Coach Stires and the staff, it was evident that Cal Poly is built on a foundation of excellence, genuine relationships and a commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court.
“The vision for the program aligned perfectly with my own values, making this an opportunity I knew I wanted to be a part of.”
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