Overview

Champaign, Ill. – the University of Illinois Fighting Illini women’s basketball team has a new face on its coaching staff. Jackie Alexander has been named assistant coach, joining head coach Shauna green’s program after a year with the University of Toledo Rockets.

Coaching Staff Comments

Coach Green expressed her enthusiasm for Alexander’s arrival:

I am so excited that Jackie is joining our famILLy. She brings a wealth of experiance, 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!
Shauna Green, Fighting Illini head Coach

Alexander shared her gratitude and excitement about joining the Fighting Illini:

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Shauna Green’s elite staff and become part of the Fighting Illini family. 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 remarkable 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.
Jackie Alexander, Fighting Illini Assistant Coach

Alexander’s Coaching Background

• Toledo Rockets (2024-25): Assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. The team achieved a 24-9 record, including 13-5 in the Mid-american Conference (MAC), and earned a WBIT at-large bid.
• East Tennessee State (ETSU) (2021-24): Assistant coach/recruiting coordinator. She helped the team achieve a significant turnaround, going from 21 wins to 25-10 in the 2022-23 season.The Buccaneers participated in the Women’s basketball Invitational (WBI).
• Eastern Kentucky (2019-21): Assistant coach/recruiting coordinator. The Colonels had the fourth-biggest turnaround in the country, improving from two to 11 wins.
• Albany (2018-19): Director of basketball operations and interim assistant coach.
• Air Force Academy (2017-18): Video coordinator.

Professional Development and Recognition

Alexander has actively engaged in professional development, participating in the Top Connect Symposium for three years (2022, 2023, 2024) and attending the WBCA next Generation Institute in 2024. She was also named to the 2021 WBCA Thirty Under 30 List,recognizing her as one of the top young coaches in the nation.

Playing Career and Military Service

A Broadhead, Ky.,native,Alexander began her collegiate playing career at Army West point (2010-11) before transferring to the University of the Cumberlands (2011-14). At Cumberlands, she was a two-time All-Mid South Conference selection and a two-time NAIA Academic All-American, graduating in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She earned her master’s degree from ETSU in sport management in 2023.

Following her undergraduate studies, Alexander served as an Army officer for three years, reaching the rank of captain. she was stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and was deployed to Iraq.

FAQ

• Who is Jackie Alexander? she is the new assistant women’s basketball coach for the Fighting Illini.
• where did she coach before? She was an assistant coach at the University of Toledo.
• what is Coach Green’s opinion of her? Coach Green is so excited to have her on staff and believes she understands what impacts winning!