Three assistant coaches – Susie Gardner, Darion Hutchinson, and Style Harper-Estill – have joined the University of Evansville women’s basketball coaching staff, Head Coach Ben Wierzba announced on Monday afternoon.
“One of the most important parts of building a program is surrounding yourself with great people. I’m excited to welcome Coach Style, Coach D and Coach Gardner to the Evansville Basketball Family,” said Wierzba. “These three coaches all bring something different to the table – different experiences, different strengths, and different perspectives – but together they create a staff that will help foster the competitive mindset I want to bring to this program as well as a deep commitment to our student-athletes. I’m thrilled to have them on this journey. Go Aces!”
SUSIE GARDNER
Longtime Division I Head Coach Susie Gardner joins Wierzba’s staff as an assistant, carrying over 30 years of collegiate coaching experience and a proven track record of success. Gardner most recently served as an Assistant Coach at Florida, where she helped the Gators to the WBIT semifinals in 2024-25. From 2010-24, Gardner served as the Head Coach at Mercer University, where she led the Bears to five SoCon regular season titles, four appearances in the NCAA Tournament, and was named SoCon Coach of the Year four times. During her time in Macon, Gardner posted a 247-189 record, including an 88-27 record in SoCon play, and produced six conference Players of the Year. Under Gardner’s tutelage, Kahli Lawrence was selected in the second round of the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. Gardner is the winningest coach in Mercer history.
From 2003-07, Gardner served as the Head Coach at the University of Arkansas, where she posted a record of 65-54 and led the Razorbacks to a WNIT appearance in 2005. In 2004, Shameka Christon was named SEC Player of the Year and was taken fifth overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty, and in 2005, Sarah Pfeifer was named SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Prior to her time in Arkansas, Garnder was the Head Coach at Austin Peay State University from 1997-2003, where led the Lady Govs to three NCAA Tournament appearances and was named OVC Coach of the Year in 2003. In 2003, Garnder coached Brooke Armistead to OVC Player of the Year honors and a third round selection in the WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars. With a record of 112-93, Gardner is the winningest coach in Austin Peay history.
From 1992-97, Garnder was an assistant coach at San Diego State, where she helped the Aztecs to an 89-28 record and three NCAA Tournament Appearances. As a player, Gardner was a standout at the University of Georgia from 1982-86, helping the Bulldogs to four NCAA Tournament appearances, three SEC regular season and tournament tiles, and two appearances in the Final Four.
DARION HUTCHINSON
Darion Hutchinson joins Wierzba’s staff as an assistant coach, bringing nearly a decade of collegiate coaching experience as well as experience in the Missouri Valley Conference. Prior to joining Evansville, Hutchinson spent the last two seasons at the University of Indianapolis, serving as an assistant coach from 2024-March 2026 before being named the interim head coach in March. During her time with the Greyhounds, Hutchinson played a key role in talent identification and roster building, led on-court player development efforts, contributed to game strategy and preparation, and coordinated program operations and logistics. In 2024-25, Hutchinson mentored All-GLVC Second Team selection Patricia Chikamba.
From 2019-2024, Hutchinson served as the Director of Basketball Operations and Video Coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa. Over five seasons with the Panthers, Hutchinson helped UNI to a 97-61 record and four straight WNIT berths from 2021-24. With the Panthers, Hutchinson directed team travel and operational logistics, managed basketball operations, oversaw video operations, ensured NCAA compliance, and supported recruiting, marketing, and external engagement efforts.
Hutchinson’s first coaching stop came at Indiana State University as Director of Basketball Operations from 2017-19. While at ISU, Hutchinson served as the community service coordinator, provided guidance to select student-athletes, assisted with summer camps and recruiting visits, in addition to her work with team travel and CARA logs.
As a student-athlete, Hutchinson spent three seasons at Bellarmine from 2011-14, where she led the Knights in scoring and was named Academic All-GLVC in 2012-13, before finishing her career at UIndy in 2015-16. Hutchinson is a native of Scottsburg, Ind.
STYLE HARPER-ESTILL
Style Harper-Estill joins Wierzba’s staff as an assistant coach, bringing a wealth of coaching experience at both the prep and collegiate levels. Harper-Estill comes to Evansville from Defiance University, where she served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. While at Defiance, Harper-Estill also worked as an Admissions Compliance Officer and Counselor for Athletics.
Prior to her time at Defiance, Harper-Estill served as Associate Head Coach at Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati. In 2024-25, the Warriors finished 27-0 and won the Division II Ohio State Championship, while Harper-Estill was named Assistant Girls Basketball Coach of the Year for Division I and II. While at Winton Woods, Harper-Estill helped develop nine athletes who went on to play college basketball, including three at the Division I level.
From 2017-22, Harper-Estill coached at Saint Ursula Academy in Cincinnati, including serving as Head Coach from 2018-22. While at Saint Ursula, Harper-Estill implemented strength and conditioning programs and organized and managed youth camp for over 50 kids. Prior to her stint at Saint Ursula, Harper-Estill was the Head Coach at Western Hills High School in Cincinnati from 2014-16, winning the Cincinnati Public Schools Conference championship in 2015.
Harper-Estill also brings a wealth of experience on the AAU circuit, having coached high school and middle school-level AAU hoops since 2019. Harper-Estill spent six years as the U16 and U17 head coach at Next Level Academy 3SSB and three years as the middle school coach. Harper-Estill has won two AAU National Championships with her program and made two P24 appearances with her U16 and U17 Next Level teams.
A native of Cincinnati, Harper-Estill is the all-time leading scorer at Roger Bacon High School and was inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. Harper-Estill went on to play college basketball at WVU Tech and Kentucky State, where she was named Defensive Player of the Year and Sports Woman of the Year.
