Mandi Pierce, who has spent the past three seasons as the director of operations for the FGCU women’s basketball program, has been elevated to an assistant coaching position.
“Mandi has done a great job for our program, and I am happy to see her earn the opportunity to become an assistant coach,” FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said. “I know she will work hard.”
Pierce joins a coaching staff that has seen several changes this offseason with the departures of Chelsea Banbury and Jenna Cobb, the promotion of Chelsea Lylesto associate head coach and the hiring of Shannon Murphy as an assistant coach.
The promotion also continues a tradition of Smesko having a coaching staff comprised of all former players of his at FGCU. Pierce, who was born in the Philippines, competed for the Green and Blue from 2006-08. As a senior, she averaged 7.2 points per contest and helped lead the Eagles to a 22-9 record in the program’s inaugural Division I season. The team then advanced to the WNIT for the first time in program history and toppled South Florida in the opening round. The year prior, she averaged 4.8 points for a team that finished 34-1 and concluded the season as the NCAA Division II national runner-up.
“I am so grateful to Coach Smesko for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to continue to learn from him,” Pierce said. “FGCU is a special place to me, and I am so appreciative to have the chance to advance my career here. I’m excited to now contribute on the floor and work under one of the best coaches in the country.”
Pierce, who came to FGCU following a two-year stint at St. Bonaventure, earned a bachelor’s degree in resort and hospitality management from FGCU in 2008. She is a native of Altoona, Pa., where she scored 1,094 career points and finished her career as Altoona High School’s second all-time leading scorer.
Photo Courtesy FGCU Athletics
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