Elon University Director of Athletics Dave Blank has announced that head women’s basketball coach Charlotte Smith, who has guided the Phoenix to back-to-back postseason appearances, has agreed to an extension through the 2020-21 season.

“Coach Smith has done a great job with our women’s basketball program over her first five seasons on and off the court,” Blank said. “Our program has achieved great things including post-season play and academic recognition under Charlotte’s guidance and I  am excited to know that our women’s basketball student-athletes will continue to benefit from her leadership.”

“It is a privilege to provide young women with an opportunity to fulfill their dreams of playing Division I college basketball and have access to the outstanding education and experience that Elon University provides,” Smith said. “I’m grateful of the support from President Leo Lambert, Dave Blank and the Elon administration, and humbled by the continued opportunity to lead the women’s basketball program at this institution.”

Last season, Smith led Elon to 18 wins and the program’s second consecutive appearance in the WNIT. Smith helped the Phoenix record the program’s first ever DI win over a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, as the maroon and gold knocked off NC State on Dec. 13. As a team, Elon finished third in the Colonial Athletic Association in scoring offense and second in rebounding margin.

Two seasons ago, Smith led the Phoenix to an impressive 19 victories in its inaugural season in the CAA in addition to the program’s first ever appearance in the WNIT.

Over five seasons, Smith has coached the Phoenix to an 87-70 overall record and her teams have made postseason appearances three times. Additionally, the Elon women’s basketball program has earned public recognition on multiple occasions for excellent Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores.