JJ Butler, who served as head coach at Division II Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, has joined the Delaware men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach, Blue Hens’ head coach Martin Ingelsby announced Wednesday.
“We are very excited to have JJ joining our staff here at Delaware,” Ingelsby said. “He is a passionate leader who cares greatly about his student-athletes and their success on and off the basketball court. JJ is a tireless worker who has built strong relationships wherever he has been and his experience as a head coach will make him a great asset to our program.”
Butler, who was hired as the head coach at Chestnut Hill during the summer of 2020, led the Griffins to a CACC Quarterfinals victory this past season, reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2011. In his two years at the helm of the program, he posted a 30-27 record and the first back-to-back double digit win season since 2013-14. In his first season, he improved the squad’s record from 6-22 to 14-13. Those 14 wins were the most by a Griffins team since the 2011-12 season.
“The opportunity to join Coach Ingelsby’s staff here at Delaware is a special one,” Butler said. “I’m humbled by the opportunity and excited to learn and grow in the role. What I’m most excited about is the chance to get on campus and get to know this years group, over the summer.
I would love to thank Jesse Balcer, the Athletic Director at Chestnut Hill, for providing me an opportunity to be a head coach at the age of 25. Our staff and teams there over the last 3 years taught me a lot. The Chestnut Hill family enabled me to grow tremendously as a coach. Everyone’s belief and buy-in to our vision allowed me to earn this opportunity to join Coach Ingelsby’s staff. For that I am forever grateful.
As my wife and I make the move to the first state, we’re excited to see what it means to be Blue Hen Built.”
Prior to being named head coach at Chestnut Hill, Butler spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Division III Susquehana University. He played a significant role in the River Hawks’ first-ever Landmark Conference Championship and their third NCAA DIII Championship Tournament appearance. The 2019-2020 River Hawks ranked 32nd nationally in scoring defense en route to a 21-8 overall record and 11-3 Landmark Conference regular-season finish.
As an assistant coach, Butler focused on recruiting, scouting reports, individual and group skill development, leading practice drills, as well as, identifying sponsorship opportunities, organizing travel, team meals, and social media campaigns for the program.
Butler held similar responsibilities at Chestnut Hill College, where he was an assistant coach under Jesse Balcer. He aided Balcer in a large scope of activities including, but not limited to, recruiting, individual and group skill development, scouting reports, and practice.
Butler attended Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, before completing his eligibility at Chestnut Hill College. He totaled 128 points, 70 rebounds, 109 assists, four blocks, and 38 steals in 85 games with the Bisons. Meanwhile, during the 2016-2017 season, provided 116 points, 62 rebounds, 52 assists, two blocks, and 38 steals over 21 games for the Griffins.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degrees in corporate management finance from Lipscomb in 2016 and with a master’s degree in administration of human services from Chestnut Hill in 2018.
