Dawn Staley adds former Vanderbilt coach to USC staff

Veteran coach Melanie Balcomb will join the South Carolina women’s basketball staff, the school announced Monday.

Balcomb, who spent the last 13 seasons as the head coach of the Vanderbilt women’s program, will be the Gamecocks’ director of coaching offensive analytics for the 2016-17 season. Her role will not include on-court coaching of the team.

“Someone with Melanie’s experience and success is an asset to the game of women’s basketball, and this is a great opportunity for our program to benefit from her point of view,” USC coach Dawn Staley said in a statement. “I have and will always treasure the close-knit staff that we have, most of whom have been here from the beginning, but there is always room to grow professionally. Our staff looks forward to Melanie sharing her insights.”

According to USC, “will assist the staff in developing strategies for growing the game of women’s basketball and providing analytical data pertaining to on-court performance.”

“I’m honored to serve a program that dominates on the court with integrity and class,” Balcomb said in a statement. “I’m excited for the opportunity to experience success and growth while assisting South Carolina in realizing the dream of a national championship. I am grateful to Dawn and ready to be part of Gamecock Nation.”

Balcomb has 22 years of head coaching experience, including the 13 at Vanderbilt. She led the Commodores to a 340-149 record and 12 straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2003-14).

Balcomb will begin her duties at South Carolina on July 15.