Amanda Butler was born in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee in 1972. She attended Mt. Juliet High School, graduating in 1990. She was recruited to play for the University of Florida by the Gators' head coach, Carol Ross, and started at guard for four years. After finishing her playing career in 1994, she transitioned into coaching. Her first coaching job was as an assistant coach at Florida, where she continued her education with a master of science degree in exercise and sport science in 1997. After leaving her job with Florida in 1997, she coached at Austin Peay from 1997 to 2001, and served as the associate head coach for former Charlotte head coach Katie Meier from 2001 to 2005.