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Sam Purcell enters his fifth season on the Georgia Tech staff and his second as assistant coach. He previously served as Director of Player Development and Video Coordinator. During his tenure at Georgia Tech, Purcell has been responsible for the program's day-to-day scheduling, working with sports nutrition and strength & conditioning programs, film exchange and recruiting the Georgia Tech women's basketball practice team.
In each of his previous four seasons, the Yellow Jackets have won at least 20 games and made the NCAA Tournament.
Purcell worked closely with former Yellow Jacket Alex Montgomery to develop her into one of the best players in the ACC. Montgomery was drafted No. 10 overall in the 2011 WNBA Draft, and was the first ACC player selected.
During his first season as a Georgia Tech assistant coach, the Yellow Jackets won a school record 24 games and posted a Tech-best 13-game winning streak from November 27 to January 21. The Jackets tied a school record with nine ACC wins and advanced to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.
The Yellow Jackets earned their fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth, a school highest five seed, and defeated Bowling Green 69-58 in a first round game in Columbus, Ohio.
Purcell has also been instrumental in the coordination and implementation of the Sportscode and DV Sport Coaching, recruiting and scouting technology system for the Yellow Jacket basketball program. He was responsible for all film breakdown for women's basketball. Purcell has been a part of four straight NCAA Tournament runs by the women's basketball program.
Prior to Georgia Tech, Purcell was an assistant coach for the University of Tulsa women's basketball team and served as the scouting coordinator, position coach for the post players and assisted with recruiting. During his first season at Tulsa, Purcell played an integral role in helping forward Jillian Robbins attain honorable mention All-America honors, Conference USA Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year merits. His contributions helped Tulsa capture their first Conference USA regular season and tournament titles.
Purcell arrived at Tulsa from Auburn University, where he spent two seasons as a video coordinator/administrative assistant and was a member of the Tigers' 2004 NCAA Tournament second round squad. From October 2000 through June 2003, he worked for the Tigers as a manager and was a staff member of Auburn's WNIT championship team in 2003.
Purcell earned his bachelor's degree in education from Auburn in May 2003. A native of Dalton, Ga., Purcell played two years of men's basketball at Southern Union State Community College (1998-2000).
Purcell and his wife, Meghan, live in Smyrna, Ga., with their one-year-old, Reese.
