Delaware head women’s basketball coach Sarah Jenkins has announced the addition of three coaches to her staff Wednesday afternoon. Jenkins has added Sam Pierce Jr., Bri Hutchen, and Cody Gilmore in the role of assistant coaches.
Sam Pierce Jr., Assistant Coach
Pierce Jr. joins the Blue Hens after five seasons at Appalachian State serving as the associate head coach. He helped lead the 2018-19 squad on a historic run to hoist up the WBI title. The Mountaineers finished the season with 22 wins, the most since the 2011-12 season to complete the largest turnaround in school history, along with being the fifth largest turnaround of any school. Pierce Jr. also assisted in the coaching of six All-Sun Belt Conference selections as he was tasked with skill development, practice planning, game planning, and recruiting responsibilities during his time in Boone, N.C. Before Appalachian State, Pierce Jr. also spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Akron (2014-17) in the role of assistant coach. He helped coach the 2015-16 team to a WNIT berth for the second straight season. Before spending time in Akron, Pierce Jr. founded a basketball development program coaching boys and girls for seven years (2007-14) called PA Pride located in Altoona, Pa. Pierce Jr. also had stops at Robert Morris University as the director of men’s basketball operations (2006-07), Altoona Area High School as the assistant boy’s basketball coach (2005-06) and Penn State University Altoona as the assistant men’s basketball coach (2003-05). Pierce Jr. was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and Business Administration from Slippery Rock University in 2002. Pierce Jr. and his fiance, Elizabeth Zerbee have one son, Sam III.
“I am ecstatic to welcome Sam to our Blue Hen Family. His loyalty and commitment to the game will take our program to new heights. He has a proven track record of success on and off the court, and I am so grateful to have him on this journey with us.” – Sarah Jenkins, Delaware Women’s Basketball Head Coach
“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to join the Delaware family and be a part of Coach Jenkins’ staff. She is a relentless worker and brings out the best in everyone, and is genuinely one of the best people in the profession. From the first conversation I had with Sarah, I could tell our visions aligned and that I would love to be a part of her program! ” – Sam Pierce Jr.
Bri Hutchen, Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
Hutchen arrives in Newark after spending this past season at George Washington University and three seasons (2018-21) at Stony Brook as an assistant coach. With the Seawolves, Hutchen helped lead the program to a 66-17 overall record while hoisting up the 2020 America East Regular Season Championship and the 2021 America East Tournament Championship to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. At Stony Brook, Hutchen assisted in the development of seven all-America East honorees and during the 2018-19 season, the Seawolves broke two program records in single-season 3-pointers and assists and earned its first victory over a Power Five opponent. Hutchen also served as the program’s liaison for the Black Student-Athlete Huddle Committee. Prior to Stony Brook, Hutchen spent three seasons on staff at Iona College (2015-18) serving in the capacity of director of operations for two years before being promoted to assistant coach prior to the 2017-18 season. The Baltimore, Md. native played collegiately at the University of Alabama and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times. While at Alabama, Hutchen was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Athletes in Action. Hutchen earned both a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in human environmental science from Alabama. Hutchen has a daughter, Charlee.
“I am so happy to have Bri join our team. She is a relentless recruiter that brings experience and a commitment to winning. She values building relationships and will be a huge asset to our program.” – Sarah Jenkins, Delaware Women’s Basketball Head Coach
“The University of Delaware is truly a special place. The energy surrounding the campus is indescribable. I am grateful to Coach Sarah Jenkins for believing in me and allowing me to be a part of this journey as we continue to build on the program’s storied success. I am excited to keep things rolling in Newark under such enthusiastic competitive leadership. I am looking forward to making more memories with and for the Blue Hen community.” – Bri Hutchen
Cody Gilmore, Assistant Coach
Gilmore comes to Delaware after spending four seasons (2018-22) as the head women’s basketball coach at Salem University. Before that, Gilmore held the role of head assistant coach for five years (2013-18) at Glenville State College. The 2019-20 campaign was a memorable one for Gilmore as his team became one of the most prolific scoring teams in Salem women’s basketball history. The Tigers matched a 25-year school record with five games of at least 100 points while also setting a school record with 40 points in the third period in a 103-64 victory over Ohio Valley. During Gilmore’s tutelage at Glenville State, the Pioneers went 116-37 overall. Gilmore was instrumental in the Pioneers’ recruiting and player development process, recruiting and coaching All-American and Mountain East Conference Player of the Year Paris McLeod. Gilmore was an All-State athlete at Robert C. Byrd High School, lettering three years in football and basketball. Gilmore also played collegiate basketball at Glenville State and served as a student assistant (2009-11) under former head coach Bunky Harkleroad. Gilmore transferred to Fairmont State University in 2011 where he graduated with an RBA Degree in 2013.
“I am excited to have Cody join our staff! He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help take the program to the next level. He is a proven winner and I am so happy he chose to join our family.” – Sarah Jenkins, Delaware Women’s Basketball Head Coach
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to work for a program with a great basketball tradition like the University of Delaware and for a coach like Sarah Jenkins.” – Cody Gilmore
