Former Amanda Butler is back in South Carolina after being named the new head coach of the College of Charleston Cougars, stepping into a key role with expectations of sustaining—and elevating—the program’s recent success.
The College of Charleston officially announced Butler’s hiring following the departure of Robin Harmony, who left for Pitt after guiding the Cougars to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2026. Butler will be introduced alongside men’s coach John Groce, signaling a new chapter for the school’s basketball programs.
Butler brings a wealth of experience, including a six-year stint as head coach of the Clemson Tigers from 2018 to 2024. While she reached the NCAA Tournament in her first season, consistency proved elusive, and she finished with an 81–106 overall record before her departure.
She most recently served as an assistant under Jeff Walz at the Louisville Cardinals, helping the program maintain its national competitiveness, including a Sweet 16 appearance this past season.
Now, Butler takes over a surging Charleston team that won a school-record 27 games and captured the CAA Tournament title. With a strong foundation already in place, her task will be to build on that momentum and push the program deeper into national relevance.
Her return to South Carolina also adds intrigue across the state, particularly with Clemson Tigers continuing to progress under Shawn Poppie. Potential future matchups could bring added spotlight to Butler’s comeback and her mission to reestablish dominance on the court.
