Clayton becomes the 10th head coach in program history and brings a strong track record of success at the NCAA Division II level. She arrives in Menomonie after eight seasons as head coach at Michigan Tech (2018–26), where she compiled a 138-88 overall record (.611) and led the Huskies to two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Under Clayton's leadership, Michigan Tech consistently competed at a high level in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
Clayton's tenure at Michigan Tech was highlighted by several standout seasons. In 2022-23, the Huskies posted a 25-7 overall record, finished second in the GLIAC at 15-3, and went a perfect 14-0 at home. They advanced to the GLIAC Tournament Championship game and earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Midwest Regional.
During the shortened 2020-21 season, Clayton guided the Huskies to a 20-2 record, including a 19-game winning streak that matched a school record. Michigan Tech captured the GLIAC Tournament Championship and earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Midwest Regional. She was named GLIAC Coach of the Year.
In her first two seasons, Clayton led the Huskies to back-to-back 21-9 campaigns and continued the program's success in the conference tournament, including a GLIAC North Division title in 2018-19.
Prior to returning to her alma mater, Clayton served as an assistant coach at the University of Sioux Falls, where she played a key role in all aspects of the program, including recruiting coordination, player development, scouting, and film analysis.
Clayton also gained NCAA Division I experience as an assistant coach at Youngstown State University, working with guards and overseeing recruiting territories in the Midwest. She helped lead the Penguins to a 21-13 record and a WBI semifinal appearance during the 2015-16 season. Additionally, she spent a season as an assistant coach at Northwood University and began her coaching career as a graduate and student assistant at Youngstown State and Michigan Tech, respectively.
A standout student-athlete at Michigan Tech, Clayton ranks seventh in program history with 1,434 career points over 124 games. She also owns the second-highest career free throw percentage in school history at 84.8 percent and helped lead the Huskies to a 103-22 record during her playing career, including a trip to the 2010-11 NCAA Division II National Championship game.
Clayton earned multiple accolades as a player, including All-GLIAC First Team honors and two Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America Honorable Mention selections. She was also a standout in the classroom, earning All-GLIAC Academic Excellence honors all four years and being named a CoSIDA Academic All-American, including First Team honors as a senior.
A native of Durand, Wisconsin, Clayton was a decorated prep athlete at Durand High School, where she was named first team all-state and conference MVP while leading her team to a state runner-up finish. Clayton returns to the Menomonie area with her husband, Cameron, and their children, Colt, Ada, and Lanie.
