Butler Announces 2026-27 Women's Basketball Staff
4/17/2026 10:11:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston women's basketball head coach Amanda Butler announced her 2026-27 staff on Friday morning.
Joining Butler is Associate Head Coach Darrick Gibbs, Assistant Coach James Spinelli, Assistant Coach Chelsey Rhodes and Director of Basketball Operations Shellie Greenman.
"Nothing great is ever accomplished alone," said Butler. "This group of amazing people makes me confident about the job we have ahead of us and the quality of the experience we will provide for our student athletes."
Gibbs, a 26-year veteran of the coaching profession, most recently was an assistant coach at Wake Forest during the 2025-26 season.
"Darrick is a home run for Cougar Women's Basketball," said Butler. "He brings a wealth of high level experience, boundless energy and a good heart. He will impact every aspect of what we do. He is a proven leader and strategist. Our student athletes will benefit from all that he is. He will be a huge competitive advantage for our program and I'm excited to welcome him and his beautiful family to our Charleston Family."
Prior to Wake Forest, Gibbs spent a year as an assistant coach at Tulane, and also has eight years of experience as a head coach at North Florida (2015-2023).
While Gibbs was at the helm of North Florida, the Ospreys set the school record for points in a game and team assists, tallying 126 and 43 respectively on Nov. 13, 2021 against Trinity Baptist. Gibbs also produced the Ospreys' first-ever WNBA Draft Pick (Jazz Bond, 31st pick, Dallas Wings).
Additionally, he brings 12 years of ACC coaching experience to Charleston. He spent time at Clemson - alongside Butler - and had stops at Miami and Wake Forest as well. While at Miami, he helped guide the Hurricanes to four NCAA Tournament appearances.
"This is truly a full-circle moment for me," said Gibbs. "I'm excited to be back at a place I care deeply about and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside a head coach I know and trust as we build something special for our players and this community."
GIBBS FULL BIO
Spinelli joins the Cougars following a year as an assistant coach at Rutgers.
"James is a fantastic addition to our staff," said Butler. "He brings a wide range of experience in multiple conferences and a familiarity with the CAA. He has worked with some of the best in the business and I can't wait to see his impact on our players. I know that James and his family are going to be wonderful members of the College of Charleston community."
Prior to Rutgers, Spinelli spent two years as an assistant coach at Northeastern and also spent time as the video coordinator at Notre Dame and Temple. While on staff with the Fighting Irish, Spinelli helped the team to runs to the NCAA Sweet 16, Final Four and National Championship game.
He has earned the reputation as a players coach, always making the relationships built with players paramount as well as the overall importance of team bonding.
"It's truly an honor to have the opportunity to work with Coach Butler at such a renowned institution like the College of Charleston," said Spinelli. "Coach Butler has an incredible ability to lead and a proven track record of success. I look forward to working with coach & the rest of the staff! Go Cougars!"
SPINELLI FULL BIO
Rhodes will stay in Charleston and begin her second year as an assistant coach with the Cougars this season.
"Chelsey is a high character, hard working person," said Butler. "She has a heart for our players and for the College of Charleston. She very quickly sold me on her desire to be a part of our staff and an ability to get things done. She has been an essential part of my transition into leading the program. Please help me re-welcome Chelsey to The College."
Rhodes helped take the Cougars to new heights during the 2025-26 season as the Cougars won two conference titles and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Before winning the 2026 CAA Tournament, the Cougars went 16-2 in CAA play and won the 2025-26 CAA Regular Season Championship by three games.
Rhodes joined CofC from Northeast Mississippi Community College, where she served as the head coach for three seasons. She led the Lady Tigers to their first 20-win season in 18 years during the 2023-24 campaign. Northeast's fourth place showing two seasons ago in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) was its best finish since division play was discontinued following the 2020-21 season.
"I'm incredibly grateful to Coach Butler for the opportunity to continue at the College of Charleston," said Rhodes. "Charleston is a special place, and I'm excited to work alongside a coach of her caliber to help build on the program's success and serve our student-athletes at a high level."
RHODES FULL BIO
Greenman comes to Charleston following two years as the director of operations at North Carolina.
"Shellie is the epitome of loyalty, character and HYBLAW," said Butler. "She is experienced in every role there is on a staff and will anchor our group in all things operational. Her elite ability to connect with others will be important in our continued engagement with the Charleston community. You're going to love her!"
Prior to North Carolina, Greenman served as the director of operations for Clemson for six years, and she also served in the same capacity at North Florida. Prior to her time with the Ospreys, Greenman was in the SEC for four seasons at Florida as a program assistant.
Before arriving in Gainesville, Greenman's time in women's basketball spans across multiple stops as an assistant coach at Jacksonville University, Western Carolina, Miami University (OH), Tennessee-Chattanooga and Virginia Tech. She's hailed as a prolific recruiter, bringing in a top-30 class while at Virginia Tech and signing three conference rookie of the year student-athletes.
"I am super excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the College of Charleston women's basketball staff and athletics department," said Greenman. "I am looking forward to reuniting with Coach Butler and can't wait to see what's next for this program!"
GREENMAN FULL BIO
For complete coverage of Charleston women's basketball, follow us on X (@CofCWBB) and Instagram (@CofCWBB).
Joining Butler is Associate Head Coach Darrick Gibbs, Assistant Coach James Spinelli, Assistant Coach Chelsey Rhodes and Director of Basketball Operations Shellie Greenman.
"Nothing great is ever accomplished alone," said Butler. "This group of amazing people makes me confident about the job we have ahead of us and the quality of the experience we will provide for our student athletes."
Gibbs, a 26-year veteran of the coaching profession, most recently was an assistant coach at Wake Forest during the 2025-26 season.
"Darrick is a home run for Cougar Women's Basketball," said Butler. "He brings a wealth of high level experience, boundless energy and a good heart. He will impact every aspect of what we do. He is a proven leader and strategist. Our student athletes will benefit from all that he is. He will be a huge competitive advantage for our program and I'm excited to welcome him and his beautiful family to our Charleston Family."
Prior to Wake Forest, Gibbs spent a year as an assistant coach at Tulane, and also has eight years of experience as a head coach at North Florida (2015-2023).
While Gibbs was at the helm of North Florida, the Ospreys set the school record for points in a game and team assists, tallying 126 and 43 respectively on Nov. 13, 2021 against Trinity Baptist. Gibbs also produced the Ospreys' first-ever WNBA Draft Pick (Jazz Bond, 31st pick, Dallas Wings).
Additionally, he brings 12 years of ACC coaching experience to Charleston. He spent time at Clemson - alongside Butler - and had stops at Miami and Wake Forest as well. While at Miami, he helped guide the Hurricanes to four NCAA Tournament appearances.
"This is truly a full-circle moment for me," said Gibbs. "I'm excited to be back at a place I care deeply about and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside a head coach I know and trust as we build something special for our players and this community."
GIBBS FULL BIO
Spinelli joins the Cougars following a year as an assistant coach at Rutgers.
"James is a fantastic addition to our staff," said Butler. "He brings a wide range of experience in multiple conferences and a familiarity with the CAA. He has worked with some of the best in the business and I can't wait to see his impact on our players. I know that James and his family are going to be wonderful members of the College of Charleston community."
Prior to Rutgers, Spinelli spent two years as an assistant coach at Northeastern and also spent time as the video coordinator at Notre Dame and Temple. While on staff with the Fighting Irish, Spinelli helped the team to runs to the NCAA Sweet 16, Final Four and National Championship game.
He has earned the reputation as a players coach, always making the relationships built with players paramount as well as the overall importance of team bonding.
"It's truly an honor to have the opportunity to work with Coach Butler at such a renowned institution like the College of Charleston," said Spinelli. "Coach Butler has an incredible ability to lead and a proven track record of success. I look forward to working with coach & the rest of the staff! Go Cougars!"
SPINELLI FULL BIO
Rhodes will stay in Charleston and begin her second year as an assistant coach with the Cougars this season.
"Chelsey is a high character, hard working person," said Butler. "She has a heart for our players and for the College of Charleston. She very quickly sold me on her desire to be a part of our staff and an ability to get things done. She has been an essential part of my transition into leading the program. Please help me re-welcome Chelsey to The College."
Rhodes helped take the Cougars to new heights during the 2025-26 season as the Cougars won two conference titles and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Before winning the 2026 CAA Tournament, the Cougars went 16-2 in CAA play and won the 2025-26 CAA Regular Season Championship by three games.
Rhodes joined CofC from Northeast Mississippi Community College, where she served as the head coach for three seasons. She led the Lady Tigers to their first 20-win season in 18 years during the 2023-24 campaign. Northeast's fourth place showing two seasons ago in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) was its best finish since division play was discontinued following the 2020-21 season.
"I'm incredibly grateful to Coach Butler for the opportunity to continue at the College of Charleston," said Rhodes. "Charleston is a special place, and I'm excited to work alongside a coach of her caliber to help build on the program's success and serve our student-athletes at a high level."
RHODES FULL BIO
Greenman comes to Charleston following two years as the director of operations at North Carolina.
"Shellie is the epitome of loyalty, character and HYBLAW," said Butler. "She is experienced in every role there is on a staff and will anchor our group in all things operational. Her elite ability to connect with others will be important in our continued engagement with the Charleston community. You're going to love her!"
Prior to North Carolina, Greenman served as the director of operations for Clemson for six years, and she also served in the same capacity at North Florida. Prior to her time with the Ospreys, Greenman was in the SEC for four seasons at Florida as a program assistant.
Before arriving in Gainesville, Greenman's time in women's basketball spans across multiple stops as an assistant coach at Jacksonville University, Western Carolina, Miami University (OH), Tennessee-Chattanooga and Virginia Tech. She's hailed as a prolific recruiter, bringing in a top-30 class while at Virginia Tech and signing three conference rookie of the year student-athletes.
"I am super excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the College of Charleston women's basketball staff and athletics department," said Greenman. "I am looking forward to reuniting with Coach Butler and can't wait to see what's next for this program!"
GREENMAN FULL BIO
For complete coverage of Charleston women's basketball, follow us on X (@CofCWBB) and Instagram (@CofCWBB).
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