Kelly Mathis joined the Winthrop women’s basketball program as an assistant coach prior to the 2020-21 season. Mathis joined the Eagles after spending two seasons as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at East Tennessee State University. Stints prior to ETSU include Georgia State, University of Georgia, Florida State and Washington & Lee University.
“Throughout the years, I’ve watched Kelly and her passion to recruit and connect with student-athletes and her success has been off the chart,” head coach Semeka Randall Lay said of the new addition to her coaching staff. “I’m excited to have her provide a game plan that will help increase our recruiting efforts. I know she will have a great rapport with prospective student-athletes, current student-athletes, coaches, as well as our administration and support staff. I know she will work tirelessly to impact our program.”
Mathis brings almost a decade worth of recruiting and coaching experience to Winthrop’s bench. During her time at ETSU she managed the recruiting budget, helped organize and recruit for ETSU camps, worked on skill development with guard and post players while also managing social media and creating and distributing mailings and advertisements. She also prepared all areas of scouting reports for the coaching staff and team.
While at ETSU, Mathis coached a plethora of All-SoCon players. In 2018-19, Erica Haynes-Overton was named SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, All-SoCon First Team and All-SoCon Defensive Team. Kia Upton was named All-Freshman Team by coaches and media while Micah Scheetz, named All-SoCon Third Team, finished second on the team in scoring (11.2 ppg), while having the highest 3-point percentage on the squad and third highest in the conference. Sheetz also earned All-SoCon Second Team honors, while Tijuana Kimbro was named All-SoCon Defensive Team alongside Haynes-Overton. Mathis was responsible for the scout against Wake Forest on Dec. 5, 2019, where the Bucs upset the Demon Deacons, 67-60.
Before joining the Bucs, Mathis was the assistant coach of Georgia State’s women’s basketball program. During her time with the Panthers, Mathis prepared scouting reports, clipped and presented film, worked on skill development with guards and post players. She identified and organized top prospective student-athletes which led to the signing of three Top 10 players: the No. 7 NJCAA D1 player, No. 5 overall NJCAA D1 rebounder and the No. 3 overall NJCAA D1 offensive rebounder. Following the 2016-17 season, Jada Lewis, the team's leading scorer, was named Freshman Player of the Year and All-Sun Belt Third Team. During her sophomore campaign, Lewis opened the season with a 20-point performance against Florida and averaged 15.5 points per game. Mathis coached 2016-17 Newcomer of the Year, Tiffany Holston and signed Shay Fluker, who averaged 14 points per game in her first season at GSU. She also managed the team’s social media.
Mathis was a member of the Georgia Bulldogs staff for four seasons. She served as the coordinator of recruiting operations in 2012 before being promoted to director of recruiting operations and player development in 2015. She assisted with all recruiting efforts, organized and hosted visits, assisted with the breakdown of film and the creation and distribution of all graphics and mailings. Mathis also oversaw all social media efforts for the team and staff.
Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Mathis served as the director of recruiting operations for the Florida State women’s basketball program for the 2011-12 season. In this position, she assisted with travel arrangements, official and unofficial visits of prospective athletes, the recruiting calendar and scheduling the 2012-13 season. She also served as the director of the Seminoles’ girls basketball camps that that saw over 500 participants.
Mathis began her coaching career at Washington and Lee University as an assistant for the 2010-11 season. The team posted a 19-8 overall record and a 14-6 mark in conference play. She also taught two semester-long physical education classes to Washington & Lee students.
The Maryville, TN native earned a bachelor's degree in sports management from Pfeiffer, where she played four seasons on the women’s basketball team. As a Falcon, Mathis averaged 5.6 points and 3.2 rebounds and served as team captain all four years. In her sophomore season, Pfeiffer won the conference championship with a 26-5 overall record and earned a No. 2 seed to the NCAA Tournament.
