The University of North Texas (UNT) volleyball team has added Kennedy Shelstead as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, head coach Dave Fleming announced Monday.
“I’m really excited to welcome Kennedy on board,” Fleming said. “She will bring some really innovative ideas, especially for recruiting, to our program, and she knows North Texas better than just about anyone.”
Shelstead arrives at UNT after spending the 2023 season as an assistant coach at Pittsburg State in Kansas under head coach Jen Gomez. During her time with the Gorillas, she coached one all-conference player and helped nine athletes earn MIAA Academic Honor Roll recognition.
“I’m so excited to join the Mean Green volleyball family and Coach Fleming’s staff,” Shelstead said. “As a native Texan, this opportunity comes at the perfect time. I’m eager to contribute both on the court and in recruiting as we build a championship-level program. Thank you to Coach Fleming for this opportunity, and of course, GO MEAN GREEN!”
Before her stint at Pittsburg State, Shelstead spent four seasons at Arkansas Tech, serving as a graduate assistant from 2020-21 before being promoted to assistant coach from 2022-23 under head coach Kera Dukic. In 2021, she helped lead the Golden Suns to a Great American Conference (GAC) tournament championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament.
Shelstead transitioned to coaching after a successful collegiate playing career. She played two seasons at John Brown University (2015-16) before transferring to Abilene Christian (2017-19). Across her four years, she appeared in 317 sets, recording 608 kills and 292 blocks. At ACU, she also competed in beach volleyball and was named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2020.
A native of Keller, Texas, Shelstead was a three-year letter winner at Melissa High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sports and recreation management from Abilene Christian in 2019 and a master’s degree in student affairs administration from Arkansas Tech in 2022.
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