SARASOTA, Fla. – New College of Florida Women's Basketball head coach Brian Cruz has announced the addition of four new assistant coaches ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Bailee Taft, Brianna Gliesmann and Jerry Aquino will join the staff as assistant coaches and C'dara Manuel has been added as a student assistant.
The four newcomers will join Cristina Reyes, who returns for her second season as assistant coach under Cruz.
Bailee Taft (Assistant Coach)
Taft brings a strong background as both a player and coach, with experience competing at the collegiate level and developing athletes on and off the court. A former player at St. Petersburg College, Florida College, and Texas A&M University–Texarkana, Taft competed in both JUCO and NAIA basketball, where she was recognized for her leadership and teamwork.
Most recently, Taft served as a volunteer assistant coach at Port Charlotte High School.
"I'm excited to join the NCF community and create a winning culture on and off the court," Taft said. "I am very blessed to be able to coach and give back to the sport I love while helping these young women thrive and succeed in their goals."
"Adding Bailee to the staff will be great for the ladies as she just finished up playing collegiate basketball," Cruz added. She will be able to relate to them and support them with their daily needs. She will work with our shooters in their development. Bailee will also bring great energy to our program."
Brianna Gliesmann (Assistant Coach)
Gliesmann brings over five years of coaching and player development experience, with a background spanning high school, AAU, and individual player training. Most recently, she has served as an assistant varsity coach at Brownsburg High School, one of Indiana's top-ranked Class 4A programs, where she contributed to film breakdown, scouting, and in-game strategy.
She also leads the Indiana Girls Basketball Foundation's 15U Rise AAU team and conducts training through BElite Training LLC. Previously, Gliesmann was an assistant coach at Greenwood Christian Academy, where she managed scouting, film review, and player development while also organizing youth camps, clinics, and academic support programs for student-athletes.
She has additionally coached and trained athletes of all ages through the Marlin Academy, emphasizing skill growth and long-term development. A former standout player at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Gliesmann ranked second in program history for single-season three-point percentage (50%) and tied sixth for most points scored in a game (30). At Center Grove High School, she was a four-year varsity player, earning multiple honors, including MVP of the Indiana North-South All-Star Game and recognition as a Hoosier Basketball Magazine Top 60 player.
Gliesmann holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology from the University of Indianapolis and is pursuing a Master's in Sports Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University.
"I am excited to be joining the NCF Women's Basketball staff!" Gliesmann said. "I'm looking forward to working with the players and coaches and contributing to the success of the program."
"We're really excited that Brianna is joining the Mighty Banyan family," added Cruz. "She will be the head of our scout team and prepare the ladies for upcoming competitions. Brianna has great attention to detail and a relentless work ethic."
Jerry Aquino (Assistant Coach)
Aquino brings more than 20 years of head coaching experience and an impressive track record of success at both the high school and grassroots levels to NFF. Most recently, he has served as the head girls' varsity coach at Bradenton Christian School, where he led the Panthers to a Florida District Championship in 2025.
A proven program builder, Aquino previously spent 16 years as the head girls' coach at Mount St. Dominic Academy (N.J.), where he guided his teams to multiple conference championships, five state finals appearances, and over 400 career wins. He was named the Northern Hills Conference Coach of the Year four times at St. Dominic.
Beyond high school basketball, Aquino has been deeply involved in player development. He co-founded the New Jersey Crusaders AAU program, capturing three state titles and two national finalist finishes, while helping more than 17 of his former players continue their careers at the collegiate level (D1, D2, D3, and NAIA). He has also directed Nike and Bradenton Christian basketball camps and served as a lead trainer for USHOOPS, mentoring hundreds of athletes.
Aquino's commitment to the game has been recognized through his induction into the Essex County Hall of Fame and being honored as UNICO Man of the Year for Community Service. He is a member of both the New Jersey and Florida Coaches Associations.
"I am truly excited and thankful to be a part of the New College of Florida community. I will bring high energy and relentless passion to the program," Aquino said. "My goal is to build strong relationships within the team and develop players to become champions on and off the court."
"Jerry brings a wealth of knowledge to the program; he has been coaching for 20+ years at every level," said Cruz. "His passion for the game and his work ethic will be an immediate help to our program. Jerry has developed many 1,000 point scorers and collegiate basketball players. We're very happy to have him in the program."
C'dara Manuel
Manuel, a native of Fort Myers, returns to NCF after playing for the Mighty Banyans last season.
A standout at Riverdale High School, Manuel took home the Sun Conference's Champion of Character award last season.
Manuel won the award thanks to her support of various initiatives, including the Salvation Army toy drive, diaper drives, and food drives.
She organized her own clothing collection and donated the items to homeless individuals in a local park. Additionally, she serves as the Vice President of the Black Student Union at New College, hosts events, and encourages her peers to engage on campus.
Manuel also brings four years of coaching experience back to NCF, as she has served as an Assistant Coach at Godby High School (2021) , Pink Devils AAU (2022), and Gateway Charter Middle/High School (2023-2024).
"I'm excited to get to it! I look forward to using my experience and leadership to support NCF WBB in every way I can!" Manuel said.
"I am very excited to have C'dara join us. As a player, she played with a physicality that is unmatched. As a coach, she will be able to hold the girls accountable to play with toughness and heart," Cruz added. "She loves her teammates and I know she will be someone the athletes can lean on. C'dara is an amazing addition to the staff!"
