Former Jacksonville State standout NcKell (pronounced nah-KELL) Copeland joined the Bradley women's basketball coaching staff in June 2008, coming to The Hilltop after two years as an assistant coach at Toledo and is in her third year as an assistant coach under 11th-year Bradley head coach Paula Buscher.

During her two years at Bradley, the Braves have posted the most wins in a season in program history (21), earned the team's first postseason bid (2009-10 Women's Basketball Invitational), tied the school mark for conference wins in a season (12) and matched the best conference finish in program history (tie for third in 2009-10).  Bradley's 38 wins in her two years is the most in back-to-back seasons for BU since the 1980-81 and 1981-82 team's both went 19-8.  In addition, the Braves two-year conference mark of 23-13 (.639) is the best in school history.

The 2009-10 squad posted a 17-14 overall record after starting out the season with a 4-8 record.  Bradley won six consecutive Missouri Valley Conference games and eventually tied for third in the standings with a 12-6 mark. The Braves received a bid to the WBI where they defeated Big East Conference foe Louisville in the Cardinals' final game at historic Freedom Hall.  Louisville, which advanced to the 2008-09 NCAA Championship game, owned a 129-23 (.849) record at Freedom Hall since the start of the 1998-99 season.  Bradley's season came to an end in the WBI quarterfinals with a loss at College of Charleston.

Copeland works primarily with the guards and helped the Braves to their first 20-win season since the 1979-80 in her first year on The Hilltop.  Bradley concluded the 2008-09 season with a 21-10 record and finished fourth in the MVC standings, marking the team's best showing since the 1991-92 season.  The Braves boasted an impressive 12-2 home record and advanced to the MVC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 1996-97 and just the second time in program history.

She assists with scouting and recruiting in addition to working directly with the guards.

Copeland came to Bradley after two seasons as an assistant coach at Toledo where she also worked with the guards in addition to being involved in recruiting, scouting and individual workouts in addition to helping monitor the academic progress of student-athletes. In her first season at Toledo, Danielle Bishop earned honorable mention All-Mid American Conference honors, while TaYani Clark earned MAC All-Tournament honors in 2007-08.

"NcKell has been a great addition to our coaching staff and Bradley University," head coach Paula Buscher said. "She is a very positive person with a dynamic personality.  She is concerned with player development both on and off the court.  She will be working primarily with the guards along with recruiting and opponent scouting."

Born in San Jose, Calif., Copeland's family moved to Marietta, Ga., and she later attended Jacksonville State where she graduated cum laude with a degree in communication in 2003. She finished her career as the Gamecocks career leader in steals (151) and also had 456 points and 222 assists during her four-year career. A three-time All-Academic performer, Copeland led the team in minutes, assists and steals during her sophomore season.

She served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Jacksonville State for three years following her graduation, helping the Gamecocks to an 18-10 record in her first season. The 18 victories is Jacksonville State's highest win total as an NCAA Division I member and was the most wins since the 1992-93 team finished with an 18-11 record.