Release courtesy of Mary Margaret Johnson, Daemen Athletic Communications
AMHERST, N.Y. – Nate Beutel has been named the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Daemen University, Vice President of Athletics Traci Murphy announced today. Beutel becomes the fifth head coach in modern history of the Daemen women's basketball program and takes over the reins following the retirement of Jenepher Banker in August after nine seasons leading the Wildcats.
Beutel comes to Daemen after over a decade of coaching experience. He served as the head women's basketball coach for 13 successful seasons at SUNY Niagara where he led the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II program to 314 wins after inheriting a one-win team in 2012. Beutel's Thunderwolves advanced to seven consecutive NJCAA Region III Div. II championships, resulting in the program's only regional titles, and advanced to the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament five times over his tenure.
"We are thrilled to bring
Nate Beutel into the Daemen Wildcat family. His stellar reputation in the basketball community speaks volumes about his ability to develop talent and continue our winning culture," Vice President of Athletics Traci Murphy said. "Nate's proven track record of success, combined with his knowledge of our region and outstanding rapport with players, makes us excited to have him lead our program."
Named the NJCAA Region III Div. II Coach of the Year six times and the NJCAA Div. II East District Coach of the Year five times, Beutel helped develop nearly 50 All-Region players, including eight NJCAA Div. II All-Americans and seven Region III Div. II Players of the Year. Under his tutelage, nearly four dozen players advanced to play at four-year schools, including most recently Paige Emborsky (2022-23) and Gabby McDuffie (2022-24) who both started for Daemen and helped the Wildcats to a pair of East Coast Conference regular season and tournament championships and each earned All-ECC honors in their time as a Wildcat.
Along with his duties as head women's basketball coach at SUNY Niagara, Beutel was the longtime Sports Information Director, supervisor of Intramurals and Recreation/Fitness Center, head softball coach from 2014 to 2023, head women's lacrosse coach from 2012 to 2014 and scheduling coordinator for the athletic department from 2017 to 2025. In addition, Beutel has served as the assistant varsity football coach for Starpoint High School from 2010 to 2025.
Following his 13 years as the head coach at SUNY Niagara, Beutel made the jump to the Division I level this summer, being named the Director of Basketball Operations and an Assistant Coach at the University at Buffalo for the UB Bulls women's basketball program in May 2025 under head coach Kristen Sharkey. Beutel handled administrative duties for the Bulls in the role along with assisting with team practices and scouting.
"I'm honored to be the next head coach of the Daemen University women's basketball program," Beutel said. "It is one deeply rich in history and a source of pride within the Western New York community. I can't thank Vice President for Athletics Traci Murphy and the entire search committee enough for this opportunity. To have the chance to lead, inspire and collaborate with this extraordinary group of young women is a dream come true. I look forward to hit the ground running this fall. Go Wildcats!"
A Western New York native, Beutel earned a bachelors degree in sports management and a master's degree in elementary education from Medaille College. He resides in Sanborn with his wife, Annmarie, and son, Baker.
Beutel inherits one of the top women's basketball programs in the NCAA Division II East Region. The Wildcats have won six straight East Coast Conference regular season titles, four consecutive ECC Tournament championships, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last six seasons. Winners of two East Region titles, Daemen women's basketball has played in the Elite Eight twice (2021, 2024) while winning 20+ games in each of the past four seasons. The Wildcats return nine players from last season's 22-8 team that went 15-1 in ECC play, with four starters and four of the top five scorers back from the 2024-25 season.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT NATE BEUTEL
"In my opinion,
Nate Beutel is one of the best basketball minds in Western New York and a tremendous asset to any program. When he came to SUNY Niagara, he elevated our program to new heights with never before seen success. He is a fantastic recruiter, competitor, and coach. His passion for the game of basketball is off the charts. Nate truly cares about his players both on and off the court and he is a winner."
-- Bob McKeown, Director of Athletics, SUNY Niagara
"We are thrilled for Nate and his family as he steps into his new role as the head coach at Daemen. He has an exceptional work ethic and deep commitment to developing student-athletes. We are excited to watch his passion, integrity and purpose through the success of Daemen women's basketball. Congratulations Nate!"
-- Kristen Sharkey, Head Women's Basketball Coach, University at Buffalo
"It's really exciting that
Nate Beutel will be working at Daemen. Nate started his college coaching career as our JV coach at Medaille and I have enjoyed watching his career progress through the years. Nate has a passion for coaching that is unmatched and he will be a great addition to the Wildcat Family!"