University of Puget Sound

Aubrey Shelton enters his eighth season as head coach of the University of Puget Sound men’s basketball team in 2025-26, leading with commitment to academic and athletic excellence. A 2005 Puget Sound graduate (MAT ’06), Shelton earned All-NWC honors as a player, helping secure two Northwest Conference (NWC) titles and NCAA Division III Sweet 16 appearances from 2001 to 2005. His focus on holistic development yields a team GPA among the athletic department’s highest, reflecting his recruitment of “SmartAxes”—student-athletes who embody Puget Sound’s culture of intellectual and competitive rigor.

Shelton has driven notable success. In 2022-23, he led the Loggers to an 18-8 record and a second-place NWC finish, their best since 2012, with a 79-77 upset over #12 Pomona-Pitzer and an 87-72 win against #12 Whitworth, the first since 2009. Four players earned All-NWC honors: Mussie Teclemariam, Grant Erickson, Taj Phillips, and Dezman Baker. In 2023-24, the team posted a 13-13 record (9-7 NWC), with three All-NWC selections: Grant Erickson, Taj Phillips, and Dezman Baker. Since 2018, Shelton’s teams have earned 10 All-NWC honors, including Jimmy Wohrer ’19, Gabe Chaikin ’19, and Stellan Roberts ’20, showcasing his talent development.

The 2025 senior class, led by Taj Phillips, Liam Rutledge, and Will Pohland, exemplifies Shelton’s impact. Phillips, a two-time All-NWC honoree, surpassed 1,000 career points and holds Puget Sound’s all-time assist record, anchoring the offense with leadership. Rutledge also eclipsed 1,000 career points, providing consistent scoring. Pohland, a dependable four-year contributor and SAAC president, balances athletics with campus leadership, embodying the SmartAxe ethos. These seniors, highlighted on loggerathletics.com, have elevated the program’s culture and competitiveness.

A Tacoma native, Shelton excels at recruiting SmartAxes from the Seattle-Tacoma area, building rosters with local talents like Baker who align with Puget Sound’s academic-athletic balance. His recruiting strategy, informed by regional talent pipelines, prioritizes players who excel in the classroom and on the court, fostering team unity and Tacoma pride.

Before Puget Sound, Shelton coached Lincoln High School for 11 years, achieving a 237-57 record (.806), six district titles, eight league titles, and five top-five state tournament finishes. Honored eight times as Coach of the Year, he also served as a Puget Sound assistant coach in 2005-06, aiding a third consecutive NWC title and NCAA Elite Eight run.

Shelton lives in Tacoma with his wife, Courtney, and daughter, Claire, both Puget Sound graduates. Through academic focus, high academic recruiting, and steady growth, Shelton builds a program that inspires student-athletes to thrive.