The offseason has begun for Coach Yo and the Ole Miss Women’s basketball, and with success comes changes around the program.
Associate head coach Empress Davenport has taken a role to be an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings next season, after two years with the Rebels.
The Wings announced Jose Fernandez as their new head coach in October of 2025, the former South Florida coach has finished assembling his staff for the upcoming season. Alongside Davenport, the wings have hired Camille Smith, David Adkins, and former Arkansas head coach Mike Neighbors.
Davenport was brought to Ole Miss in 2024 after major staff from Coach Yo, she was promoted to associate head coach after one season. Davenport experienced much success with the Rebels, reaching the NCAA tournament in back-to-back years, and a sweet 16 appearance in 2025.
Along with the staff changes in 2024, Ole Miss saw former Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman join the staff, and former Duke Player Joy Smith.
Davenport played at Texas from 2012-2016, she was ranked inside the top 100 for the class of 2012. After a solid playing career, Davenport quickly shot up the coaching ranks spending three seasons at Lamar University, and three years at UTSA before arriving at Ole Miss.
Working closely with the WBCA in 2025, Davenport’s work with Ole Miss was focused around the guards, helping develop Sira Thienou into the dominant force that she is today.
Coach Yo and Ole Miss will have big shoes to fill as they begin preparation for the transfer portal and recruiting visiting throughout the offseason.