MALIBU, Calif.  – The Pepperdine cheer squad welcomes former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Daphne Janes, as the next head coach. 

Janes, a California native, spent two years on the UCLA Dance Team and captained the squad her senior year.

After graduation in 2018, Janes earned a spot on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, where she spent three seasons. During her time in Texas, she was a part of the team's Show Group – an elite subgroup that toured internationally and was involved in the local community.  

"I am so excited to start this position as Head Coach of Pepperdine Cheer and have the opportunity to work with such a talented team," said Janes. "I hope to bring my professional and collegiate cheer experience, as well as passion for performing and bringing people together, to Pepperdine and continue building upon such an amazing program!"

Janes returns to California after completing a master's degree in global economic governance & public affairs at Luiss Guido Carli University located in Rome, Italy. In addition to her duties as coach, Janes will continue her educational career at Pepperdine's Caruso School of Law where she will pursue a juris doctorate beginning in the fall.

The cheer squad, which relaunched during the 2018-19 school year, will enter its sixth season cheering on the men's and women's basketball programs this fall. Fall tryouts for incoming and transfer students are held from August 23-25. For more information, head to pepperdinewaves.com, or follow the team on Instagram, @PeppCheer.