Chambana Sun

Fighting Illini women's basketball team has announced the addition of Jackie Alexander to its coaching staff. Shauna Green, the head coach, revealed that Alexander will be appointed as an assistant coach. Alexander arrives from Toledo, where she served on the staff for a single season.

"I am so excited that Jackie is joining our famILLy," Green stated. "She brings a wealth of experience, both as a recruiting coordinator and on the court. Jackie has been an offensive and defensive coordinator at different institutions and has had success. She is a proven winner and has been a part of two major turnarounds in different programs. She understands what impacts winning! I can't wait to have her here and get to work!"

Alexander expressed her enthusiasm about joining the team by saying, "I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Shauna Green's elite staff and become part of the Fighting Illini family," she said. "I have immense respect for what Coach Green and her staff have accomplished over the past three seasons at Illinois, as well as the remarkable track record she's built throughout her career. Shauna is not only a proven winner but also an exceptional leader and person. I'm excited to help build on the foundation of success and contribute to the continued rise of the Illinois women's basketball program."

In May 2024, Alexander became part of the Rockets' staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Before her time at Toledo, she served in various capacities, including at East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Albany, and Air Force.

During the 2024-25 season, Toledo achieved a 24-9 record, marking a spot in the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament following a second-place finish in the regular MAC schedule and tournament.

She also played crucial roles in previous teams, including a 21-win turnaround with ETSU, where she worked as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator. They achieved a postseason spot in the Women's Basketball Invitational, alongside multiple conference selections. Her experience includes a role at Eastern Kentucky, marking a significant team improvement, and administrative and interim coaching at Albany.

Alexander has actively participated in professional development through the Top Connect Symposium and the WBCA Next Generation Institute, alongside recognition as a promising young coach on the 2021 WBCA Thirty Under 30 list.

She hails from Broadhead, Kentucky, with a collegiate playing background at Army West Point and University of the Cumberlands. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in sport management. Following her studies, Alexander served as an Army officer, achieving the rank of captain with deployment experience in Iraq.