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History has officially been made at Shaw University. The HBCU announced Ebony Tanner as the new head coach of its women’s basketball program, making her the first woman in school history to hold the position and ushering in a new era for one of the CIAA’s most recognizable programs.
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Tanner’s hiring is already generating excitement across the HBCU sports world as the longtime coach returns to a program she previously helped build into a conference contender. Known for her leadership, player development, and deep roots within HBCU athletics, Tanner brings years of coaching experience and championship pedigree back to Raleigh at a pivotal moment for the Lady Bears.
Tanner previously spent four seasons with Shaw as the program’s top assistant coach, where she played a major role in helping lead the Lady Bears to the 2008 CIAA Championship. During her time on staff, she contributed heavily to recruiting, player development, scouting, and postseason preparation while helping establish the program as one of the conference’s top teams.
“I am incredibly excited and honored to return to Shaw University,” Tanner said. “Shaw is a place rich in tradition, excellence, and pride, and being a Lady Bear means representing something bigger than yourself. The legacy built by the women and coaches before us is special, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue that tradition while pouring into the next generation of Lady Bears. I can’t wait to get to work and represent this university, our alumni, and our community with passion and pride.”
Before returning to Shaw, Tanner served as head coach at Elizabeth City State University, where the program experienced significant growth under her leadership. Prior to her stint at ECSU, she led Saint Augustine’s University and guided the Falcons to their first winning season since the 2010-11 campaign during the 2023-24 season. Her teams became known for their aggressive defensive identity, consistently ranking among the nation’s leaders in turnovers forced while producing multiple All-CIAA and All-Rookie selections.
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Tanner also gained Division I coaching experience as an assistant coach at the University of Hartford and spent eight seasons at her alma mater, the University of Richmond, continuing to build her reputation as one of the most respected coaches in the region.
Before making her mark on the sidelines, Tanner was a standout player at Richmond, earning two All-Atlantic 10 selections while finishing her career among the school’s all-time leaders in rebounds, blocked shots, field goal percentage, and scoring. Following her collegiate career, she played professionally overseas in Israel and Greece before transitioning into coaching full-time. Tanner earned her bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communication and speech rhetoric from Richmond in 2003.
Now, Tanner returns to Shaw not only with the responsibility of leading a historic program but also with the opportunity to inspire a new generation of women in sports leadership.
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