Athletics department officials at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke announced on Monday afternoon that Kendra Samuels-Eaton, a 12-year coaching veteran, has been named as the women’s basketball’s 10th head coach.
Samuels-Eaton returns to Pembroke after serving as the associate head coach at her alma mater, Western Carolina for the last two season. Before returning to Western Carolina, she spent four seasons on the coaching staff at UNC Pembroke, serving as the assistant coach for three seasons before being named the associate head coach in 2020. While on staff at UNCP, Samuels-Eaton played an integral role during the recruiting process for juniors Zaria Clark and Kelci Adams, along with seniors Aniah McManus, Alcenia Purnell and Courtney Smith.
Samuels-Eaton also served a five-year stint on the sideline at North Carolina Central where she served as an assistant coach for three seasons before being promoted to associate head coach in September of 2015.
“I’m thrilled that Kendra has agreed to come and lead our Braves Basketball program,” said Director of Athletics, Dick Christy. “She has prepared herself for this moment at every step of her career and no one is more ready to provide a wholistic experience for our young ladies. To be named associate head coach at three stops really speaks to the effort she puts forward on behalf of her teams. She is a tireless recruiter and person of unquestioned integrity, UNCP is fortunate to have her as John’s successor.”
Prior to joining the Eagles’ staff at North Carolina Central, Samuels-Eaton spent one year as the coordinator of basketball operations at Wake Forest. In this capacity, she handled the day-to-day operations of the team, including coordinating team travel, supervising non-coaching personnel, arranging community service activities and assisting with on-campus recruiting. She also helped develop content for the Wake Forest women’s basketball recruiting website.
Samuels-Eaton previously served two years in the academic support office at her alma mater Western Carolina and worked as an intern in the women’s basketball office at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the summer of 2009 working under Nora Lynn Finch. While there, she helped facilitate the officiating camp and assisted with the ACC Tournament.
“Words can’t express how happy I am to rejoin the Brave Nation family and the Pembroke community,” Samuels-Eaton said. “I’m so appreciative to Chancellor Cummings, Mr. Christy, and the hiring committee, for choosing me as the next women’s basketball coach. Over the last 20 years, Coach Haskins has done a great job of building this program and I look forward to working hard and continuing the upward trend of getting better each year.”
Samuels-Eaton earned her bachelor’s degree in sport management with a concentration in athletic administration and professional sport with a minor in marketing and coaching from Western Carolina in 2009. She was a four-year letterwinner for the Catamounts’ women’s basketball squad and became the 22nd member of the 500-point club. She appeared in 117 games over four years and wrapped up her career with 721 points and 524 rebounds. In her senior season, Samuels-Eaton led the Catamounts to a SoCon Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Samuels-Eaton earned a master’s degree in physical education and sport science from Central Missouri in 2011, where she specialized in athletics and sport business administration. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at East Tennessee State in Global Sport Leadership and will graduate in May 2024.
A Winston-Salem, North Carolina native, Samuels-Eaton tallied over 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds at Mount Tabor High School, where she was named the Metro 4A Player of the Year as a senior. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Inc., Pi Gamma Chapter. Eaton attended the 2014 NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy in Denver, Colorado and most recently was invited and attended the 2017 NCAA/Women’s Leaders in College Sports Women’s Leadership Symposium.
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