University at Buffalo women’s basketball head coach Kristen Sharkey has finalized her coaching staff for the 2025-26 season with the addition of Nate Beutel as an assistant coach and Director of Basketball Operations. Beutel joins assistant coaches Allison Spaschak, Damon Jones and Summer Hemphill.
“With Nate, we are getting a proven winner,” said Sharkey. “He built the NCCC women’s basketball program from the ground up and brings a wealth of knowledge as a former head coach. He has deep ties in the community that will help us in both recruiting and engagement as we move this program forward. Born and raised in Buffalo, he carries the grit, pride, and work ethic that defines this city. I am so excited that Nate decided to join us on this journey! Buffalo, we got a GREAT one!”
A Sanborn native, Beutel comes to Buffalo after 13 successful seasons at the helm of the women’s basketball program at SUNY Niagara. Beutel’s teams have advanced to 13 consecutive Region III Div. II Final Fours with the last seven years culminating in the program’s only regional titles. The prior three seasons, SUNY Niagara finished as regional runners-up.
The six-time Region III Div. II Coach of the Year was instrumental in the development of eight NJCAA Div. II All-Americans and nearly four dozen All-Region players. He’s also helped move more than three dozen players go on to four-year programs in that time with nearly half of them earning athletic scholarships, including five at the NCAA Division I level.
Beutel came to SUNY Niagara after spending two seasons as the head boys’ varsity basketball coach at Grand Island High School. Beutel has also spent time coaching basketball at Medaille College, Wilson High School, XGen Elite AAU and Buffalo Storm AAU. He previously served as head softball and head women’s lacrosse coach at SUNY Niagara and has also taught as an adjunct professor of both sport management and physical education.
Beutel is a former three-sport standout at Starpoint High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a master’s degree in elementary education from Medaille College. He currently resides with his wife Annmarie and son Baker in Sanborn.
