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UNC Basketball: Former Tar Heel Jackie Manuel joins women’s hoops staff

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 06: Jackie Manuel #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels speaks at midcourt following the game against the Duke Blue Devils on March 6, 2005 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels defeated the Blue Devils 75-73. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 06: Jackie Manuel #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels speaks at midcourt following the game against the Duke Blue Devils on March 6, 2005 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels defeated the Blue Devils 75-73. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC basketball defensive specialist Jackie Manuel has returned to Chapel Hill to join the women’s coaching staff.

Former Tar Heel Jackie Manuel is returning to Chapel Hill as a member of the North Carolina women’s basketball staff. The 2005 national champion, best known for his prowess on the defensive end of the court, will assume the role of Director of Player Personnel, Development and Recruiting Operations.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina in 2005, Manuel spent four years playing professional basketball in the NBA G-League, and another year in Japan. He began his coaching career with the Tar Heels in 2011 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach under Roy Williams. He spent the next eight years as an assistant coach at UNC Greensboro, Valparaiso and UNC Wilmington.

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Courtney Banghart now welcomes Manuel on board in her second year as the UNC women’s basketball head coach, and her team on the rise.

"“To complete our staff, we looked for a candidate who would be a person of impact on Day 1 and who would allow us to stay nimble, synergistic, and forward-thinking,” Banghart said. “In bringing Jackie Manual on board, we have nailed it. I’ve learned a lot about Jackie throughout this process and am thrilled to be adding him to our program. A former national champion for the Tar Heels, Jackie brings experience, competitiveness, talent, passion, selflessness, and positive enthusiasm to his return to Chapel Hill. His experience playing the game at the highest level, his genuine love for Carolina, his desire to serve this program, and his experience as a collegiate coach will fit in perfectly with our already talented staff.”"

Manuel averaged 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game with the Tar Heels from 2001 to 2005. He started 85 of the 126 games he played at North Carolina, including 30-of-35 as a sophomore, and all 37 games during the team’s 2004-05 championship season. He earned All-ACC Defensive honors during his junior and senior seasons. He was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Inspirational Player in both 2004 and 2005.

"“I’m excited to see Jackie Manuel will be re-joining the UNC athletics program as a member of the women’s basketball staff,” said Tar Heel men’s basketball coach Roy Williams. “Courtney Banghart is getting a person of the highest quality who loves the game of basketball and enjoys learning all aspects of running a program. He will do a tremendous job, just as he did as a player and captain of our national championship team and in his previous stops as an assistant coach. He knows what it takes to build a championship team and will help Coach Banghart and her staff as they work towards that ultimate goal.”"

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