May 8, 2015

COLUMBIA – University of South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley announced today the hiring of Fred Chmiel (pronounced shuh-MEAL) as an assistant coach. The two worked together for two seasons at Temple before Chmiel went on to five successful seasons at Penn State and Minnesota.

“It’s great to be able to reunite with Fred, who is very familiar with our coaching staff,” Staley said. “He brings a wealth of coaching experience from the collegiate ranks and the WNBA. I look forward to him directly impacting our program, community and University.”

In his nine seasons as an assistant coach with Minnesota (2015), Penn State (2011-14), San Diego State (2009-10) and Temple (2007-08), Chmiel has been part of six conference regular-season titles, one conference tournament title and eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a pair of Sweet 16 berths. His teams have produced four WNBA draft picks, including three guards with whom he worked directly.

Chmiel also adds experience in the WNBA as both an assistant coach (Charlotte Sting, 2005) and an advance scout (Indiana Fever, Detroit Shock). Staley was among the WNBA stars he mentored in Charlotte. He was also the head coach of the National Women’s Basketball League’s San Jose Spiders in 2006, leading them to a league runner-up finish. Chmiel began his coaching career in men’s basketball, serving as a both a head coach and an assistant coach at the junior college level.

“Coach Staley has always been family to me, so it’s an easy transition coming to South Carolina,” Chmiel said. “This staff’s work ethic and determination are something that I want to exemplify in my coaching career. I’m going to do whatever I can to help propel this program to a national championship. Coach Staley has done so much already in seven seasons, from ground zero to a national powerhouse, that I want to add whatever I can from my experiences.”

A native of Palmer, Alaska, Chmiel earned his bachelor’s degree from Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y. He and his wife, Julie, have a daughter, Skylar.

Taylor chose to leave the Gamecocks’ staff in advance of his August wedding to Joni Crenshaw, who was recently named women’s basketball head coach at Georgia.