Rutgers women’s basketball head coach Coquese Washington has announced updates to the 2025-26 roster.
“As we move into the 2025-26 season, I am really excited that our staff has a unique combination of experience, success, and passion for where our program is headed,” Washington said. “This group will work tirelessly to help our student-athletes and this program reach its highest potential.”
Shannon LeBeauf – Sr. Associate Head Coach
Shannon LeBeauf, one of the top assistant coaches in the nation, spent the last 14 seasons on the sidelines at UCLA as an Assistant and Associate Head Coach for the Bruins. She is a proven recruiter, having tallied 14 Top-25 recruiting classes over her stellar career, including UCLA’s first-ever No. 1-ranked recruiting class in 2014-15 and its second No. 1 class in 2021-22.
“Shannon LeBeauf is truly an outstanding addition to the Rutgers Women’s Basketball family,” said Washington. “She is one of the top assistant coaches in the country, with an amazing basketball background. Shannon has achieved high levels of success in her career because she has a remarkable understanding of the game, is a phenomenal recruiter and is excellent at player development, both on and off the court. Shannon is going to have a remarkable influence on the ladies in our program, helping them grow into dynamic young women who will leave Rutgers ready to be leaders. Her life and basketball experiences will add immeasurably to the culture we’ve built and the direction we want to continue to go.”
In her extensive time with the Bruins, LeBeauf helped guide the team to 321 wins and nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite 8 berth in 2018 and most recently, a Final Four appearance in a historic 2024-25 campaign.
Prior to UCLA, LeBeauf coached at Duke for five seasons (2004-09). There, she helped the Blue Devils reach the Final Four, making it all the way to the National Championship game. Duke played in the NCAA Tournament all five years LeBeauf was an assistant coach, and her recruiting acumen was equally impressive, as she pulled in recruiting classes ranked No. 2, No 3. and No. 5 in the nation. Additionally, Duke captured two ACC Regular Season Championships in 2005 and 2007 during LeBeauf’s tenure.
LeBeauf also has a strong ability to mentor players to high-level success. She has coached 10 Player-of-the-Year winners, 22 WNBA draftee/professional athletes and 38 All-Conference selections.
LeBeauf was an assistant at USC from 2000-04 and at lowa from 1999-2000. She was a four-year letterwinner for the Hawkeyes from 1995-98, including one season under the legendary C.Vivian Stringer. She was regarded as the team’s leading defensive player throughout that time and guided Iowa to the 1997 Big Ten Tournament title, as well as regular season titles in 1996 and 1998.
Jeanine Wasielewski – Assistant Coach, Offensive Coordinator
Jeanine Wasielewski enters her third season as an assistant coach for the Rutgers women’s basketball team in the 2025-26 campaign and assumes the role of Offensive Coordinator for the Scarlet Knights. Wasielewski joined head coach Coquese Washington at Rutgers after coaching with her at Penn State for two seasons.
During the past two seasons, Wasielewski worked with the Scarlet Knight shooting guards while also serving as the Director of Offensive Analytics.
Wasielewski helped the Scarlet Knights celebrate its 50th season in program history, highlighting historic moments, players and coaches throughout the year, which culminated in a grand celebration for Alumni Weekend. Rutgers also inducted its inaugural Knights of Honor class in the 1982, 2000 and 2007 teams with banner is Jersey Mike’s Arena.
She was also on the sideline as RU earned its sixth advance sellout in program history and first since 2006, against Iowa, which became the most attended basketball game between men’s and women’s contests of the entire 2023-24 campaign.
“I am thrilled to elevate Jeanine into the role of offensive coordinator,” Washington added. “Jeanine is an absolute student of the game and is incredibly knowledgeable about offensive production. She is innovative in her approach to crafting offensive systems, will be creative in maximizing our players’ potential, and will advance our scoring attack with her strategic designs.”
Sean LeBeauf – Assistant Coach, Defensive Coordinator
Sean LeBeauf spent the previous four seasons at UC Riverside as an assistant coach. There he helped the Highlanders to 55 wins including 38 victories in Big West play. He helped the team advance to the Big West Tournament Championship in 2024 and onto the WNIT.
“I am excited to add Sean LeBeauf to our coaching staff,” Washington added. “Sean has been a very successful coach during his career, specifically in the areas of defense and player development. He will be the architect of our defense, and his exceptional ability to strategize and execute on that end of the floor is a game changer.”
Prior to his time with UC Riverside, he spent one season as an associate head coach at Northern Colorado where he helped the Bears finish in the top four in the Big Sky Conference, reach the semifinals of the conference tournament, while also coaching the Conference Player of the Year, Alisha Davis.
LeBeauf also spent time as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Prairie View A&M University, an assistant coach at the University of Arizona and the Athletic Director and Head Women’s Coach at Paris Junior College.
Dani Edwards – Assistant Coach, Director of Recruiting Operations
Dani Edwards arrives “On The Banks” from SMU where she was hired as the Director of Player Personnel in April 2021 but went onto become an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the past four seasons.
“We are remarkably fortunate to have Dani Edwards join us here at Rutgers,” said Washington. “Dani is a rising star in our profession and is a high energy individual who is incredibly passionate about the game. Her positive spirit will shine on the court, on the recruiting trail and in the Rutgers community.”
Edwards helped the Mustangs to new heights during her tenure, collecting 50+ overall wins and 20+ conference victories. She helped the team reach the WNIT her first two seasons, the first time the Mustangs made the postseason in back-to-back campaigns for the first time since 2014 and 2015.
Prior to arriving at SMU, Edwards spent two seasons as the Director of Player Personnel at Michigan. She served as liaison with duties related to academics, assisted the recruiting coordinator with daily operations and oversaw the day-to-day personal matters of student athletes.
She joined the Wolverines’ staff after finishing her playing career at Clemson, where she finished her career ranked first in the program in starts (123), third in steals (291) and 14th in points (1,274). She was the first player in program history to be named to the ACC All-Academic Team all four seasons and was a two-time all-defensive team selection. During her senior campaign she also led the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament.
James Spinelli – Assistant Coach, Director of Scouting & Analytics
James Spinelli spent the last two seasons at Northeastern as an assistant coach after spending five seasons as the Video Coordinator at Notre Dame.
While with the Huskies, he coached the wings as well as serving as the lead scouter on staff and running in-practice skill development for the guards.
Spinelli was also responsible for all the analytics utilized by the Huskies.
The Long Valley, New Jersey native handled all internal video needs for the Fighting Irish from the perspectives of scouting and analysis under head coach Niele Ivey. He oversaw all game and scout film exchange, while assisting in the editing of scout film. Spinelli also produced analytical content through video for the program’s internal use.
While on staff with the Fighting Irish, Spinelli helped the team to runs in the NCAA Sweet 16 and Final Four.
“I am pleased to welcome James Spinelli to the Rutgers family,” stated Washington. “James is a tireless learner and finds a way to be highly impactful in whatever role he has on staff. His knowledge and talent in the scouting and analytics space will prove beneficial for our program, while his knack for building strong relationships will help him flourish as an assistant coach. Quite honestly, the ways James Spinelli will positively impact this program are innumerable.”
Nneka Enemkpali – Chief of Staff
After two seasons as an assistant coach “On The Banks,” Nneka Enemkpali will now serve as the team’s Chief of Staff.
In this new role, Enemkpali will helm administrative operations for the program as the team’s primary liaison to internal support units for athletics including compliance, the R Fund, the alumni office, ticketing services, and the offices of the Chancellor and President. In addition, Enemkpali will work closely with Washington concerning matters related to revenue sharing and NIL management.
“Having Nneka remain with our program in an administrative capacity is a boon, no doubt about it,” Washington said. “She comes into the role with exceptional organizational and leadership skills, and has a wonderful knack for building rapport with practically everyone. Nneka will continue to make a mark on our program as she adjusts her focus to fashioning success in both internal and external relations. She is uniquely equipped for this position, and I am elated to have her serve our program in this manner.”
Enemkpali will also work with external units, collaborating with marketing, sports information and brand advancement on social media and communications initiatives.
She will facilitate strategic community engagement opportunities for the program, while also serving as liaison to season ticket holders and the women’s basketball booster club, The Cagers Club.
Alejandro Ramirez – Director of Basketball Operations
After one season as the interim Director of Basketball Operations, Alejandro Ramirez has been promoted in the role full time.
“I am delighted to elevate Alejandro to the role of Director, Basketball Operations on a permanent basis,” added Washington. “Alejandro performed the role remarkably well as the interim director, making the decision to promote him a no-brainer. His organizational skills are top-notch. His strong work ethic and desire to excel is always evident, and his leadership skills are superb. It’s exciting to imagine the many ways he will positively impact our program.”
Ramirez assists Washington with the day-to-day operations of the program in all aspects including team travel, game day organization, practice operations and recruiting.
Ramirez leads multiple game day operations efforts including the game day schedule and managing shootarounds for both home and away teams. Ramirez works in close conjunction with multiple Rutgers departments, in particular, equipment and facilities. He oversees the robust Scarlet Knight student-manager program, hiring, training and scheduling all managers working with the program. In addition, Ramirez organizes and directs all summer camps for Rutgers Women’s Basketball.”
https://scarletknights.com/news/2025/6/20/womens-basketball-2025-26-staff-updates.aspx
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