YOUNGSTOWN — On the eve of its Super 16 showdown with Marshall in the WNIT, Youngstown State made a move to secure the future of women’s basketball coach Melissa Jackson.
In the midst of its first 25-win season in almost 30 years, YSU announced Thursday that Jackson has signed a two-year contract extension through the end of the 2030-31 season.
“I think there were very high expectations for us coming into this year with a very young crew. I think Melissa did a really good job of plugging some holes with some transfers, and we’ve just had a great season,” YSU athletic director Ron Strollo told the Tribune Chronicle and Vindicator. “I think you can recognize that at that game [Tuesday] night against Maryland Eastern Shore, just the fans and how much people enjoy women’s basketball here in Youngstown and how important that is.
“We won by 19 points, and I don’t think a soul left that building until the final buzzer. I don’t know if I’ve ever witnessed that, and they were engaged in that game the whole way through. That’s the type of program we want — great kids, very well-coached. They’re hard-nosed. They represent the city. It’s exactly what we want.”
Jackson was first hired at YSU in March 2024. At that time, she signed a five-year contract that ran through the 2028-29 season, paying her a base salary of $183,000 per year. A public records request for Jackson’s new contract details was not returned by print deadline.
In her first season, the Penguins went 12-19 with a young roster consisting of seven freshmen. The team battled long-term injuries to several players but showed growth all year, ending the regular season by winning three of their last four games, including the regular season finale against Cleveland State.
YSU retained most of its roster and took a significant step forward in Jackson’s second season this year. The Penguins are currently 25-9 and face the Thundering Herd in the Super 16 of the WNIT on Friday night.
YSU ended the regular season having won nine of its last 10 games. Then, in the Horizon League tournament, the Penguins made it to Indianapolis and reached the championship game for the first time in program history.
The team’s 25 wins are the second-most in school history and the program’s most since the 1997-98 team won 28 games. YSU’s 13-win improvement from last year is the fourth-best mark in the country.
“I want to thank President Bill Johnson, our Board of Trustees and Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo for their trust and belief in me,” Jackson said in a statement. “I feel very blessed to be at a university with tremendous leadership, and it is clear we have a shared vision for success. The investment they have shown in our women’s basketball program is unmatched.
“Youngstown is such a unique place with a passionate community. I am humbled by the support and honored to continue to lead this special program. I look forward to continuing to build YSU women’s basketball.”
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