Michelle Swopes enters in her second season as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach for the Blazers. Prior to Belhaven, Michelle spent three seasons as the assistant coach women’s basketball coach and one season as the head track and field coach (for the men’s and women’s team).
During the 2019-2020 season, Swopes helped coach three GCAC NAIA All Americans, Tyeisha Juhan, Diamond Jolly and Brijanee Shyra Galeese Moore. There were several other players that achieved greatness by being named First Team All-Conference (2), First All-Defensive Team (2), and All-Academic Team (5). She also helped the team achieve a perfect record of 14-0 during conference play, which is noted to be the first time in school history. The team was ranked 9th in the NAIA Polls and also won the title of GCAC Regular Season Champions (28-5).
In the 2018-2019 season, Swopes entered in with one of the top recruiting classes in GCAC history (record of 28-6). They became ranked 10th with in the NAIA Polls and first to tally the most wins across the country. The team became the 4th seed at the NAIA National Tournament, and once again made history being the first HBCU team in NAIA history to make it to the second round. Brijanee Shyra Galeese Moore and Diamond Jolly both were awarded First Team All-Conference and First All-Defensive Team.
The 2017-2018 season was Coach Swopes first season. During this time the program was withing a rebuilding process (record 18-16), however, the team overcame all adversity thrown at them. Ranked 25th in the NAIA National Polls. Helped coach Dee Cook First Team All-Conference and Courtnee Williams 2nd Team All-Conference.
Within in the three seasons Swopes was there, she has gained an impressive resume and recognition for turning programs around. She as tallied a record of 74 wins and 27 losses during her time at Talladega College. Her primary duties were recruiting coordinator, director of player development, director of video operations (scouting, practice, film breakdown, etc.), logistics coordinator (team trips, scheduling, and team meals), director of strength and conditioning, supervisor of managerial duties (and day to day operations), organizer of fundraisers and community service outreach programs for all teams, and lastly serving as a housing manager.
Also, during the 2019-2020 year, Swopes served as the Men and Women’s Track and Field Head Coach. Swopes came in and her top athletes showed drastic improvements with their times and rankings for conference (All athletes placing top 10). Produced 6 All-Academic student athletes. She served as the recruiting coordinator, logistics coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, and as the organizer of fundraisers and community service outreach programs.
Coach Swopes embarked on her coaching career by going back to her Junior College to coach alongside of her former Head Coach Jarrod Plummer, at Snead State Community College in 2016. She helped lead the team with a 14-point win increase from 5 wins to 21. With an impressive record of 19-11 the team made it farther than any other team within the program’s history in over 20 years. Her duties were recruiting coordinator, director of strength of conditioning, director of player development, director of video operations, logistics coordinator and the supervisor of managerial duties.
Coach Swopes has an impressive record of 93wins, 3 All-Americans, 4 newcomer of the year, 2 National appearances within four years as an assistant coach. Native of Fort Payne, AL, Swopes played two seasons at University of Mobile after transferring from Snead State Community College.
Michelle enjoys spending time with her daughter, family and friends as well as being outdoors.
