Women's Basketball
James Spinelli
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- spinellij@cofc.edu
College of Charleston women's basketball head coach Amanda Butler announced the hiring of James Spinelli to the women’s basketball staff in April of 2026.
“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.”
Spinelli joins the Charleston sideline for the first time ahead of the 2026-27 slate.
"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 spent last season as an assistant coach and director of scouting & analytics at Rutgers. Prior to Rutgers, he spent two seasons at Northeastern as an assistant coach after serving as the Video Coordinator at Notre Dame and Temple.
Spinelli has an extensive background in the space of digital media design, and will oversee the program's internal media needs in regard to recruiting and heavy involvement in scouting. 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.
While with the Huskies, he coached the wings as well as serving as the lead scouter on staff and running in-practice skill development for the guards. He was instrumental in signing multiple impact players with the Huskies including wing Abby Jegede, who he worked with closely to help become the third leading scorer in the CAA.
Spinelli was also responsible for all the analytics utilized by Northeastern.
The Long Hill, New Jersey native handled all internal video needs for the Fighting Irish for five seasons, from the perspectives of scouting and analysis under head coach Niele Ivey. He oversaw all game and scout film exchange, while assisting in the editing of scout film. Spinelli also produced analytical content through video for the program's internal use.
While on staff with the Fighting Irish, Spinelli helped the team to runs in the NCAA Sweet 16, Final Four and National Championship game.
In addition, Spinelli oversaw all internal graphic and video needs for recruiting and assisted with media efforts. In addition, he was in charge of running the Notre Dame women's basketball summer camps.
Spinelli worked directly with Coach Coquese Washington while she was associate head coach at Notre Dame. He was instrumental in the recruiting of 5-star prospect Hannah Hidalgo while at ND and also aided in the development of No. 3 2025 WNBA draft pick Sonia Citron.
Before his time in South Bend, Spinelli spent four seasons as the video coordinator at Temple, working for the program's all-time winningest head coach, Tonya Cardoza. He graduated from Temple in 2014 with a B.S. in Sport & Recreation Management.
Spinelli resides in Charleston with his wife Cassandra Spinelli and son Nicholas.
“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.”
Spinelli joins the Charleston sideline for the first time ahead of the 2026-27 slate.
"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 spent last season as an assistant coach and director of scouting & analytics at Rutgers. Prior to Rutgers, he spent two seasons at Northeastern as an assistant coach after serving as the Video Coordinator at Notre Dame and Temple.
Spinelli has an extensive background in the space of digital media design, and will oversee the program's internal media needs in regard to recruiting and heavy involvement in scouting. 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.
While with the Huskies, he coached the wings as well as serving as the lead scouter on staff and running in-practice skill development for the guards. He was instrumental in signing multiple impact players with the Huskies including wing Abby Jegede, who he worked with closely to help become the third leading scorer in the CAA.
Spinelli was also responsible for all the analytics utilized by Northeastern.
The Long Hill, New Jersey native handled all internal video needs for the Fighting Irish for five seasons, from the perspectives of scouting and analysis under head coach Niele Ivey. He oversaw all game and scout film exchange, while assisting in the editing of scout film. Spinelli also produced analytical content through video for the program's internal use.
While on staff with the Fighting Irish, Spinelli helped the team to runs in the NCAA Sweet 16, Final Four and National Championship game.
In addition, Spinelli oversaw all internal graphic and video needs for recruiting and assisted with media efforts. In addition, he was in charge of running the Notre Dame women's basketball summer camps.
Spinelli worked directly with Coach Coquese Washington while she was associate head coach at Notre Dame. He was instrumental in the recruiting of 5-star prospect Hannah Hidalgo while at ND and also aided in the development of No. 3 2025 WNBA draft pick Sonia Citron.
Before his time in South Bend, Spinelli spent four seasons as the video coordinator at Temple, working for the program's all-time winningest head coach, Tonya Cardoza. He graduated from Temple in 2014 with a B.S. in Sport & Recreation Management.
Spinelli resides in Charleston with his wife Cassandra Spinelli and son Nicholas.
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