Bocock Announces Coaching Staff Updates
Kara Shutt ’18 Returns As Associate Head Coach; Carley Davis ’23 Promoted To Full-Time Assistant Coach
**********She was a softball sensation for the Southeast Guilford Falcons, back in her high school days, and now she is back at Elon University, as Kara Shutt has been named the Associate Head Coach for the Elon Phoenix Softball Team…***********
(Welcome back to the Triad, Kara Shutt, the daughter of Danny Shutt, and the younger sister of Dusty and Dylan Shutt, and kudos to her mom, who helped make this young lady into a Softball Success, as a player and as a coach, and most importantly, as a good person, with a Huge Smile.)
ELON – The Elon softball program and head coach Kathy Bocock announced updates to her program’s coaching staff ahead of the 2027 season. The Phoenix welcomes the return of alumna Kara Shutt ’18 to the program as associate head coach, while fellow alum Carley Davis ’23 has been promoted to a full-time assistant coach.
“Today is an exciting day for Elon Softball as we welcome two outstanding Elon alumni back to our program,” said Bocock. “Please join me in welcoming Kara Shutt as our new associate head coach and Carley Davis as our new assistant coach. Both Kara and Carley have a deep connection to Elon Softball and understand the tradition, culture and standards that make this program special. Their experiences as former student-athletes, combined with their coaching knowledge and passion for developing young women, will be tremendous assets to our team.
“We are thrilled to have them return home to Elon and look forward to the impact they will have on our student-athletes and the future of our program. Please help us give Kara and Carley a warm Elon Softball welcome!”
Shutt returns to Elon after serving as a member of the Wofford coaching staff for the past three seasons, including the last two as associate head coach. Shutt helped guide the Terriers’ growth since their inaugural season in 2024, as Wofford saw its win total increase each season, culminating in a 35-win campaign in 2026. This past year, Shutt guided the Wofford offense to Southern Conference-best marks in batting average (.318), on-base percentage (.409), stolen bases (92), sacrifice bunts (58) and triples (16). She also helped coach three All-Conference selections.
Prior to Wofford, Shutt spent two seasons (2021-22) as a volunteer assistant at Ole Miss, helping the Rebels to a 41-19 campaign that concluded in the Los Angeles Regional Final of the NCAA Tournament in 2022. She also served as a graduate manager at South Carolina in 2019 and 2020.
Shutt was one of the most decorated players in Elon softball history. In 2018, she became just the second All-American in school history and the second female All-American in any sport during Elon’s Division I history. A three-time All-CAA First Team selection, Shutt holds the school and CAA record in career doubles with 63, while also setting the program’s single-season mark with 21 doubles in both 2016 and 2018. She also batted .425 as a senior, setting the Elon Division I single-season program record. A career .373 hitter, Shutt finished second on Elon’s all-time hits leaderboard with 253.
“I am so excited to be back home,” said Shutt. “Being able to coach at my alma mater is a dream come true. I owe so much to Coach Bocock and Elon Softball. Thank you Coach Bo for giving me the opportunity to return home and I cannot wait to get started and continue to build on the success of the program!”
Davis begins her third season as a member of Bocock’s staff after serving as a volunteer assistant coach during her previous two seasons with the Phoenix. During her time on the Phoenix coaching staff, Davis has worked with the pitchers and catchers and was an integral part in helping Elon capture its first CAA Tournament title in 2025.
Davis was a starter behind the plate throughout her playing career at Elon. She appeared in 197 career games with 194 starts for the maroon and gold and was a two-time All-CAA Second Team selection. A native of Bridgewater, Va., Davis finished her career as Elon’s all-time Division I leader in runners caught stealing with 37. In her final season in 2024, Davis hit a career-best .312 with four home runs and 24 RBI.