Wanda Nettles heads into her second year as Head Coach for the women's basketball program at Benedictine University at Springfield. The Bulldogs finished 3-26 in their first year as a program; finishing 0-18 in the American Midwest Conference (AMC).

Coach Nettles uses the game of basketball as a platform to teach her student-athletes a variety of lessons, including education, teamwork, leadership, and character building, as well as enhanced athletic skills. Her ultimate goal and commitment is to make the program a nationally renowned program for its dedication to academic excellence and athletic success.

Coach Nettles previous position was held at fellow AMC school Harris-Stowe State University (St. Louis, Mo.) from 2006-2008. In 2006-07, the Lady Hornets won the AMC tournament title with a 13-18 record. HSSU would receive an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament off the victory. The Lady Hornets made another NAIA National Tournament appearance the following year, posting a 23-10 overall record, going 10-1 in AMC play.

Coach Nettles college coaching experience spans over 10 years with stints at the University of Illinois- Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College, and Belleville Area College, now Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC).

In both Southern and Central Illinois, Coach Nettle has helped coach, develop, mentor, and recruit local talent through various basketball camps and AAU teams. While coaching, Nettles worked for 16 years as and Engineer Technician III for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), retiring in 2004. As a result of her coaching and participation in outreach programs in the community, Nettles was the first recipient of IDOT's Community Bridge Award in 2004.

Coach Nettles graduated Cum Laude from Greenville College, earning a bachelor's in Organizational Leadership. She holds an Associates degree in Drafting Technology from Belleville Area College. She is an Ordained Pastor of Living Word Fellowship Ministries, and is a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and the Black Coaches Association (BCA).

Nettles resides in Springfield, Ill. with her husband, Fred, and daughter, LaTrice.