SIUE women’s basketball Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith bolstered her coaching staff Thursday by naming two new assistant coaches.
Smith welcomed Bradley Bruno and Jazmin Pitts to the staff. She also announced the retention of Angel Whetstone as the program’s Director of Basketball Operations.
“I’m very excited to have these three individuals joining the staff,” said Smith. “I see their passion and dedication to relationship building and basketball being strengths for the staff.”
Bruno comes to SIUE after spending two seasons as the Director of Basketball Operations at DePaul. He also worked as a video coordinator and an opponent scout as well as managing the Blue Demons’ social media presence.
A 2014 graduate from DePaul in sociology with a concentration in law, crime and criminology, Bruno served as a member of DePaul’s practice squad. He was a part of the program which advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2011 and 2014.
Bruno played one season of college basketball at St. Mary’s (Minnesota) University, an NCAA Division III school.
“Growing up around the women’s game, Bradley will bring a great basketball mind to our program that only will propel us to new heights,” said Smith. “His experiences of winning in the Big East is also a great addition to our SIUE family.”
Pitts rejoins her alma mater as an assistant coach after spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach for Nevada under the direction of former SIUE women’s basketball Head Coach Amanda Levens.
A native of O’Fallon, Illinois, Pitts graduated from SIUE with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2014 as well as a master’s in exercise physiology in 2016. As a student-athlete, Pitts finished No. 2 all-time in three-pointers made at SIUE and currently is No. 28 all-time in scoring for the Cougars. She set the SIUE freshman record for three-pointers made in a season (74).
Her coaching resume has included the Lady Jets Basketball Club (2014-17), Head Coach and Assistant Coach at Cahokia High School and Wirth Middle Schools (2015-17), graduate assistant at Nevada (2017-18), head coach at Alton High School as well as the two seasons with the Wolfpack as an assistant.
“Jazmin is an SIUE women’s basketball alumnus who has a love for this place unlike any other,” said Smith. “Not only that, but her family and St. Louis area connections from growing up here is something of which we will continue to build off. We cannot wait to have Jazmin join our family.”
In starting her second season with SIUE women’s basketball, Whetstone brings a wealth of experience in athletics and academics to the SIUE staff, having previously served as the Director of Basketball Operations and Assistant Coach with the women’s basketball program at Rollins College, an NCAA Division II institution in Winter Park, Florida.
While at Rollins, Whetstone oversaw team budget, travel, meals and assisting with recruiting while also hiring and supervising team managers. She served as the program’s liaison to the school with regards to academics, housing, facilities and compliance. Whetstone also has served as the Summer Athletic Coordinator at Rollins, facilitating operations for basketball, volleyball and soccer summer camps.
Whetstone served as the Women’s Club Basketball Head Coach at Texas A&M, while pursuing her master’s in Sports Management. Where she secured a 21-4 record and won two championships in the inaugural season of the program. She also was the Volleyball Operations Intern while with the Aggies.
She began her career as student assistant while an undergraduate at Rollins, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
“Angel’s passionate work ethic and dedication to the SIUE women’s basketball program has been evident in the last couple months,” said Smith. “Her organizational skills and care for all of those around her is something our program will utilize each day. We are so glad Angel is staying on board.”
https://siuecougars.com/sports/w-baskbl/2020-21/releases/20210527q0uuf0
