Women's Basketball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- guenschdp@cofc.edu
- Phone:
- (843) 953-8243
Guensch (pronounced Gench) is in his second year as an assistant coach at the College of Charleston.
Guensch, 32, will serve as the Cougars’ recruiting coordinator with strong regional ties in the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic region. He joins the Cougar family after spending the last two seasons under head coach Wendy Palmer at UNC Greensboro.
“What strikes me the most about Darren is his work ethic,” said Jackson. “He can recruit, he knows the game and he has a good eye for talent. I believe his ability to develop players and cultivate relationships will go a long way towards helping us achieve our goals here at The College.”
While at UNCG, Guensch assisted with the development of the Spartans’ backcourt and was instrumental in guiding UNCG point guard Lucy Mason to Southern Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2012-13.
Prior to his time with the Spartans, Guensch spent two years as an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and another two as the Rams’ director of basketball operations. VCU went 86-47 with Guensch on staff, making four straight postseason appearances.
During two seasons as an assistant coach, Guensch helped the Rams to a pair of postseason WNIT appearances. The Rams were 19-15 in 2011-12, advancing to the WNIT Round of 16. VCU went 19-12 and also made a WNIT appearance in Guensch’s first season as a coach. Guensch was responsible for perimeter player development at VCU and coached two Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie Team guards and an All-CAA talent in Andrea Barbour. He also helped usher in the No. 20 recruiting class among mid-majors, according to ESPN HoopGurlz.
With Guensch serving as its director of basketball operations from 2008-10, VCU went a combined 48-20. The Rams advanced to the WNIT Round of 16 in 2009-10 and earned an NCAA tournament at-large bid the year prior.
Prior to joining the VCU staff, Guensch served as George Mason’s director of basketball operations for two years.
Guensch got his start in coaching at his alma mater Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, Va., serving as head coach of the freshman team and an assistant varsity coach for the 2005-06 season. He directed the freshman squad to a program-best 16-2 record and its first-ever district championship. He also helped direct Loudoun County’s varsity team to a program-best 29-2 record, district and regional championships and an appearance in the state semifinals.
Guensch graduated from Radford in 2005 and lives in Charleston with his wife Devon and their son Miles (4).
