NASHVILLE – Former Lipscomb basketball player J.J. Butler (2012-15) has been named the head men's basketball coach at Division II Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He will also serve as Assistant to the Athletic Director for Athletic Advancement, which plays an integral role in the day-to-day operations of the Department of Athletics and Recreation.
Butler returns to a place where he played as a graduate transfer (2016-17) and coached as an assistant (2017-18), becoming the second head coach in program history. He takes over from his predecessor Jesse Balcer, who recently resigned in March to focus soley on his role as the school's Director of Athletics and Recreation.
"I want to give a sincere thank you to everyone who took part in this search, which netted us a really dynamic, energetic young man for staff and most importantly, our College community," Balcer said in a release on the school's website. "It is with great pleasure that I introduce J.J. Butler as the College's next Head Men's Basketball Coach and new Assistant to the Athletic Director for Athletic Advancement. Coach Butler is a true gentleman, hard worker, and he will be an amazing role model for our student body."
"I am thrilled and honored to be named the second Head Men's Basketball Coach at Chestnut Hill College," Butler gleamed. "I would like to thank Jesse Balcer, Sister Carol, Cara McMahon, Bob Spratt, Jess Day, and the rest of the search committee for giving me this opportunity. Chestnut Hill is a special place, Philadelphia is an awesome city and my wife, Marina, and I are excited to be back.
"The basketball program is one I am tremendously proud to be a part of and now lead. I am eager to positively impact the lives of young men, while enabling the same sense of pride in both the basketball program and the College itself."
Butler spent four seasons with the Bisons before transferring to Chestnut Hill after the 2015-16 season. He finished his Purple and Gold career with 128 points, 70 rebounds, 109 assists, four blocks, and 38 steals in 85 games (9 starts). He earned his bachelor's degree in finance and corporate management, while minoring in accounting.
Following graduation, he left Nashville for Philadelphia and worked towards a master's degree in Chestnut Hill's administration of human services program. In his lone season on the court with the Griffins, he started 12 games and played in 21 where he totaled 116 points (5.5 ppg), 62 rebounds, 52 assists, two blocks, and 38 steals.
Prior to accepting the new role with Chestnut Hill, Butler spent the previous two seasons (2018-20) as an assistant coach with Susquehanna University in Division III. He had a significant hand in the River Hawks' first-ever Landmark Conference Championship and their third NCAA Tournament appearance.
The 2019-2020 squad ranked 32nd nationally in Scoring Defense (66.4) en route to its 21-8 overall record and 11-3 in the Landmark.
As an assistant, he 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, where he assisted Balcer in a large scope of activities including, but not limited to, recruiting, individual and group skill development, scouting reports, and practice.
