JACKSONVILLE – Head coach Annette Watts has rounded out her first coaching staff at Jacksonville State after the hiring of assistants Dee Bell and Matt Couvillion, the first-year head coach announced earlier in the week.
Watts, who was hired in May as the 11th head coach in the history of JSU's women's basketball program, has tabbed Bell and Couvillion to round out her first staff with the Gamecocks for the 2010-11 season. Bell brings a wealth of head coaching experience to JSU from league foe Tennessee Tech, where he served as an assistant coach last season. Couvillion leaves his post as a graduate assistant at Arizona to join Watts and the Gamecocks.
“Both of these young men will have a huge impact on Jacksonville State University and our women's basketball program,” Watts said. “I couldn't be happier to have them.”
Bell spent the 2009-10 season as an assistant coach at TTU, where he helped guide the Golden Eagles to a 14-win campaign after they won just nine the year before. He went to Cookeville, Tenn., after serving as head coach at Maryville College, Reinhardt College and Martin Methodist College, respectively.
Prior to his stint at TTU, Bell guided Martin Methodist to its back-to-back winning seasons in school history, while also guiding the Redhawks to their first Top 25 ranking. He led the team to 16 wins in year one before posting a 19-12 mark in 2008-09.
“I've known Dee for several years,” Watts said. “He comes to us after a ear in our conference, and he had a tremendous amount of respect at the Division III level. He is a champion and a great recruiter, and I am excited to have someone of his stature on our team.”
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Bell graduated from Maryville in 1997 after serving as a four-year starter for the Scots. A 1,000-point scorer at MC, he was an All-South Region performer and was in the top 10 in the nation in field goal percentage as a senior.
His head coaching career began at his alma mater in 2001, when he began a run that would see the Lady Scots win five-straight conference titles and amass a 107-37 record. Five NCAA Division III National Tournament appearances and two Great South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors (2003 and 2005) later, he went to Reinhardt for a brief stint before moving on to MMC.
At JSU, Bell will serve as the Gamecocks' recruiting coordinator and will be in charge of the development of their post players.
Couvillion brings experience from all levels to the Gamecocks after serving two seasons as graduate assistant and video coordinator for head coach Niya Butts' staff at Arizona. While with the Wildcats, Couvillion handled all aspects of film exchange and breakdown, while also coordinating practice players. While in Tucson, he received his master's degree in teaching and teacher education.
“Matt comes to us after spending two seasons with All-American Niya Butts at Arizona,” Watts added. “He brings energy, hunger and a desire to learn to our coaching staff.”
Prior to joining the staff at Arizona, Couvillion spent the 2007-08 season as an assistant coach for the men's program at Loyola University ion New Orleans. He was responsible fo on-court coaching, film exchange, video breakdown and apparel ordering and distribution. During his stay he helped the Wolfpack to a 16-13 record, their best since 1972.
A native of Plaucheville, La., and a 2007 graduate of LSU, Couvillion spent three seasons as a student manager with the Tigers' women's program. He assisted the coaching staff in the organization and set up of practice, clock management, equipment management and interaction with the booster club.
He also has experience coaching in the YMCA youth basketball and Big Buddy programs in Baton Rouge, La. He coordinated both flag football and basketball schedules for inner city youth teams while also coaching a team in each program.
At JSU, Couvillion will be in charge of guard development, while also handling travel arrangements and equipment.
