Parris begins her first season as an assistant coach on the Gannon women's basketball coaching staff in 2016-17.
Parris is no stranger to the Gannon style after playing four seasons (2010-13) under Brunelli at Anderson (S.C.) University. Following her playing career, Parris served as an assistant coach for the Trojans during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Anderson went 27-5 during her final campaign, advancing to the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Championship and NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen. A Class of 2013 member for the "So You Want To Be A Coach" program with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), Parris most recently spent last season as a graduate assistant coach at NCAA Division II Henderson State.
"I am very excited that Amanda will be joining our staff," said Brunelli upon Parris' hiring. "Amanda is someone who I recruited and coached for four years. As a student-athlete, she was someone who I could always count on to be a leader on and off the court. As a coach, Amanda has the passion, enthusiasm, work ethic and personality to be very successful and help in every aspect of our program."
Parris experienced every aspect of coaching at Anderson and Henderson State. Her duties included coaching, recruiting, directing summer camps, coordinating Play4Kay Game Day events, scouting, breaking down film, maintaining social media accounts, organizing travel and running study halls. She has worked mostly with the guards during her on-court coaching.
"I am excited and honored to be an assistant alongside Coach Brunelli," said Parris upon her hiring. "I want to thank (Gannon Director of Athletics) Lisa Goddard McGuirk and Coach Brunelli for this opportunity. I understand his program, the kind of student-athletes he recruits and his passion for winning after playing four years for him at Anderson University. He has a high demand on and off the court which has led to successful teams and seasons. I feel very blessed to join the Gannon family and I can't wait to get the season started."
Parris helped Brunelli win two conference titles at Anderson during her four-year collegiate playing career. A four-year letterwinner and three-year team captain, Parris saw action in 111 games and scored 721 points at the guard position. She started 77 contests during that time span.
The Rome, Ga., native began her playing career on a high note by being named to the Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team after averaging 12 points during three games as a freshman. Parris headlined her senior season by averaging 7.7 points and converting 55 three pointers. During her high school career, Parris set Armuchee (Ga.) High School's record for career free throw percentage, finishing with an 87-percent accuracy.
Parris graduated from Anderson in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.
