Coaching Staff

Sam Pierce Jr. | Assistant Coach

Sam Pierce Jr. joins the Blue Hens as an assistant coach after five seasons at Appalachian State serving as the associate head coach.

He coached alongside head coach Angel Elderkin, where he helped Elderkin 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.

“I am ecstatic to welcome Sam to our Blue Hen Family," said head coach Sarah Jenkins. "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.”

Before Appalachian State, Pierce Jr. also spent three seasons at the University of Akron (2014-17) in the role of assistant coach. During his tenure, Pierce Jr. was held responsible for the program’s defensive and player development, practice planning, game planning and JUCO recruiting. He assisted the 2015-16 team to a 19-14 overall record, including an 11-7 mark in conference play, to earn a WNIT berth for the second straight season. Pierce Jr. developed one All-Freshman team selection and five all-MAC conference honorees, including MAC Player of the Year Sina King.

“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to join the Delaware family and especially Coach Jenkins and her staff," said Pierce Jr. "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!"

Before his 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. and 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.

Bri Hutchen | Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator

Bri Hutchen arrives in Newark and will serve in the capacity of assistant coach/recruiting coordinator for the Blue Hens. Hutchen spent this past season at George Washington University and three seasons (2018-21) at Stony Brook serving under head coach Caroline McCombs as an assistant coach.

“I am so happy to have Bri join our team," said head coach Sarah Jenkins. "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.”

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 earning the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament appearance. She 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.

“The University of Delaware is truly a special place. The energy surrounding the campus is indescribable," said Hutchen. "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 look forward to making more memories with and for the Blue Hen community.”

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. During her tenure, Hutchen assisted with practice and scouting, film breakdown, recruiting and camp coordination.

The native of Baltimore, Md. played collegiately at the University of Alabama. In 91 games played, Hutchen averaged 4.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while connecting on 154 career field goals. As a senior, Hutchen recorded five double-digit scoring games and five contests with 10-or-more rebounds. Hutchen was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times and was a member of the Alabama Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Athletes in Action. In June 2015, she attended the NCAA Career In Sports Forum in Indianapolis. The four-day event provided college athletes with a broader scope of career tracks available within the sports industry. The forum allowed student-athletes interactive experiences with successful individuals in the sports business and a peek into their day-to-day duties and responsibilities.

Hutchen earned both a Bachelor's degree in communications and a Master's in human environmental science from Alabama. She is the developer of U.S.E. Basketball, a mentoring program based out of the DMV area giving young girls the opportunity to connect with people from a familiar background and help set and achieve life goals.

Hutchen has a daughter, Charlee.