Staff Directory
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
Kaylee Smith Wagner joined Davidson Athletics as the Head Cheerleading Coach and Mascot Coordinator in December 2020.
Since taking the helm, Smith has been instrumental in the comprehensive growth and restructuring of Davidson Cheerleading. Under her leadership, the program has expanded from just eight athletes to over 30 annually, adding male and female athletes. She oversees all facets of the program, including game day operations, national competition, and the development and coordination of the Davidson mascot program.
In just five months, she led the team to a 3rd-place finish at NCA College Nationals 2021 in the Spirit Rally Division—despite 11 of the 18 team members having no prior cheerleading experience. Davidson Cheer has since become a regular presence at national competitions, achieving Top 5 finishes in the UCA Co-Ed Game Day Division in 2022 and 2023 and maintaining Top 10 rankings in 2024 and 2025.
Smith also brings a strong focus on community and outreach. She established the Junior Wildcats Cheerleading Program, which engages local youth and serves as a community connector for Davidson College Athletics. In addition, she created the Davidson Spirit Invitational, an annual event that brings together middle and high school cheer teams for a day of spirited competition and college recruitment opportunities. These initiatives have extended the program’s regional visibility and support its long-term vitality.
Her commitment to building sustainable, high-level spirit programs has earned her invitations to speak at the North Carolina High School Coaches Conference in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Her sessions have covered topics ranging from post-pandemic athlete motivation to productive practice planning, building team morale, transitioning athletes to a collegiate cheer program, and Game Day competition strategies.
Prior to Davidson, Smith served as an Assistant Coach at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, helping oversee 45 athletes across the All-Girl and Co-Ed teams. She contributed to a 2nd Place finish at NCA College Camp and helped secure a Silver Paid Bid to NCA Nationals.
Smith graduated from NC State University in 2017 with a B.S. in Textile Engineering. As a four-year varsity cheerleader for the Wolfpack, she was a 2016 UCA Collegiate All-Girl Stunt Group National Champion, a 2016 NCA D1A Small Co-Ed National Champion, and a two-time NCA Collegiate All-American. She also served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was recognized as a Scholar-Athlete throughout her collegiate career. In 2021, she was honored with induction into the Cheer Extreme Allstars Hall of Fame.
Outside of coaching, Smith is a Senior Sales Manager in the textile industry, where she has built a successful career leading key accounts, driving strategic growth, and managing multi-million-dollar revenue streams across North America. Her passion for entrepreneurship also extends to her role as co-owner of a women’s boutique, which she operates alongside her mother and aunt. The family-run business allows her to channel her creativity and connect with her local community. Additionally, Smith owns a cheerleading consulting firm, specializing in tryout execution, game day and competition choreography, and program development for teams across the Southeast.
Smith holds USA Cheer Safety, CPR, and Mental Health First Aid certifications. Newly married, she currently lives in Charlotte with her husband, Derek, and their dog, Brody.
