Ebony Tanner enters her second season as the Head Coach of the Elizabeth City State Lady Vikings Women’s Basketball program.
In her first season with the Lady Vikings, Tanner led the program to an 8-17 overall record and 5-12 record in the CIAA.
Prior to coming to Elizabeth City State, Tanner served as the Head Coach at St. Augustine’s posting a 33-45 overall record in her three seasons at the helm. Tanner led the Falcons to their first winning season since 2010-11 during the 2023-24 season, improving in CIAA play every season. Two of those seasons, the Falcons were ranked in the top-25 in turnovers forced. Tanner guided the Falcons to an All-CIAA and All-Rookie selection during her stint.
Before heading to St. Augustine’s, Tanner went back to a familiar spot, Shaw, spending the previous four seasons at Shaw as the top assistant for the Bears for her second stint.
Tanner would spend the 2016-17 season on the sideline at the University of Hartford as an assistant leading the Hawks to an America East Semifinals appearance.
The Garner, N.C. would serve on the staff at her alma mater, Richmond, for eight seasons (2008-2016). The Spiders would post three 20-plus winning seasons and six trips to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) including a 24-10 season, best record since 1990-91.
Tanner started her coaching career as an assistant coach with her first stint at Shaw from 2006-09. In her three seasons with the Bears, she helped the program to a CIAA Championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance.
Following her collegiate playing days, Tanner played professionally overseas in Israel and Greece.
Tanner would receive her bachelors degree in Interpersonal Communication and Speech Rhetoric from Richmond in 2003. Tanner was named Atlantic 10 All-Conference twice in her career after posting 824 rebounds, 114 blocks, a 49.9% field goal percentage, and 1,215 points in her career, all ranking in the top-10 in program history.
