Story Courtesy: Adam Pruiett, Bellarmine Assistant Director of Athletics Communication
Devrinn Paul, who worked with the University of Louisville women’s basketball staff while Bellarmine head coach Monique Reid was building her Hall of Fame playing career with the Cardinals, has reunited with Reid as an assistant coach with the Knights.
Paul most recently was the head women’s basketball coach at Division III Rose-Hulman for three seasons (2023-26). After the program recorded just 23 wins in four years combined before his arrival, he guided the Fighting’ Engineers to a combined 24 victories in his first two seasons at the helm, including a 10-win improvement in his inaugural year in Terre Haute, Indiana.
“DP and I go way back to our college days at Louisville — he’s a true professional with an unmatched work ethic,” Reid said. “I couldn’t be more excited for this reunion! He’s ready to work!”
Paul got his feet wet in the college coaching ranks under Jeff Walz at Louisville, where he was a graduate assistant for two years before working as the video coordinator for three more. His time at U of L (2008-13) coincided with the standout playing career of Louisville Athletics Hall of Famer Reid. Paul was part of the first Cardinal women’s basketball program to make it to the NCAA Final Four (2009), a feat the Cards repeated in 2013.
In those watershed seasons, Paul helped Louisville to a 34-5 record (14-2 in the Big East) and final No. 7 national ranking in 2009 and a 29-9 mark in 2013, when the Cardinals’ NCAA Tournament run included a stunning 82-81 win over Britney Griner-led Baylor that landed them a nomination for “Best Upset” at the 2013 ESPYs. He helped develop five WNBA draft picks at Louisville, including a No. 1 overall selection in Angel McCoughtry.
“I’m truly excited to join the Bellarmine women’s basketball program and reunite with Mo,” Paul said. “Having coached her at the University of Louisville, I’ve seen firsthand her work ethic, discipline and commitment to growth. She was someone who showed up every day and trusted the grind, and I believe that same mindset will continue to show up in how she leads this program.”
Following his time at Louisville, Paul spent three years as an assistant coach at Marshall University from 2013-16. The team saw consistent improvement throughout his time in Huntington, rising from an 11-win team in his first season with the team to a 21-12 record in 2015-16. The 2016 team reached the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament by defeating defending champion Western Kentucky. The 21 wins were the most for the program since the 1986-87 season.
After working in the private sector and in public education, Paul returned to coaching in 2022-23 as an assistant at Cincinnati under head coach Michelle Clark-Heard. He would follow by accepting the head coaching position at Rose-Hulman.
Paul is a 2008 graduate of Kentucky State University in business marketing with a minor in journalism. He served as a student assistant coach with the men’s basketball program for five years while earning his bachelor’s degree. He went on to earn a pair of master’s degrees, first in higher education at Louisville (2010) and then in Special Education Teaching 7-12 at Brooklyn College (2020).
In May of 2025, Paul released his first book titled “Coaching the Winner Within, 7 Leadership Skills to Elevate Your Team and Your Life.”
A native of Hempstead, New York, Paul moved to Louisville at age 9 and attended Waggener High School, where he played varsity basketball and football. He received a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation scholarship award in 2003 for football and was first-team All-District in 2002 and 2003.
Paul and his wife, Gabrielle, have a daughter, Summer, and son, Ace.
“This is a special opportunity for our family,” Paul said. “I’m looking forward to building relationships with our players and staff, contributing to a positive culture and helping this program grow through consistency, accountability and a shared commitment to getting better every day.
“I’m excited to get to work alongside a staff that is passionate about development and competition.”
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