Melissa Jackson

Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Youngstown State University

Experience

2024 – Present: Head Coach, Youngstown State University

2023 – 2023: Assistant Coach, Cleveland State University

2018 – 2023: Head Coach, University of Akron

2008 – 2018: Associate Head Coach (12-18)/Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator, University of Akron

2004 – 2008: Assistant Coach, University of Delaware

2000 – 2004: Player, University of Richmond

Education

2004: University of Richmond, Bachelors, Political Science

Personal

Hometown: Hazleton, PA

Maiden Name: Dymek

Family: Drew (Husband) & Ben, Cameron, Luke (Children)

Career Highlights

Career Division I Record
72-69 (.511)

Winning Seasons (4)
2022-23, 2021-22, 2019-20, 2018-19

Other Post-Season Berths (2)
2021-22 WNIT & 2018-19 WBI

In 2023-24, helped lead Cleveland State to a 29-6 (.829) overall and 18-2 (.900) Horizon League record, the Horizon League Regular Season Championship, and a WBIT berth

As an Assistant Coach at Cleveland State, has coached four Horizon League All-Conference Team selections, including the 2023-24 Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year

Only Head Coach in Akron program history with a career winning percentage above .500 (.511), led Akron to four winning seasons and two post-season berths – rebuilt a program that had only won nine games during each of the two seasons prior to taking over (18-42 (.300) overall and 5-31 (.139) MAC record over span), as well as only had seven winning seasons in 31 prior seasons

In 2022-23, led Akron to the program’s most single-season wins (t-17) in seven seasons

In 2021-22, led Akron to the program’s most single-season wins (17) in six seasons, second-most MAC wins (13) in program history, and first WNIT berth in seven seasons

In 2018-19 (first season), led Akron to 16 overall wins, a seven-win improvement from the season prior to taking over

As a Division I Head Coach, has recruited and coached nine MAC All-Conference Team selections, as well as one Player of the Year and one Defensive Player of the Year

From 2008 to 2018, helped lead Akron to five winning seasons, three 22+ win seasons, one MAC Tournament Championship, and five post-season berths (one NCAA Tournament)

From 2004 to 2007, helped lead Delaware to a 73-20 (.785) overall record, one CAA Regular Season Championship, and three post-season berths (one NCAA Tournament)

As a student-athlete at Richmond, helped lead the program to two WNIT berths

Head Coach Record