MSU announces Jackson-durrett promoted to associate head coach
A case can certainly be made that the Mississippi State women's basketball team wouldn't have been as dominant as it has been the last few years without assistant coach Dionnah Jackson-durrett. Now, Jackson-durrett has been rewarded for her contributions with a promotion to associate head coach.
The Bulldogs and head coach Vic Schaefer officially announced the news on Monday.
"I am honored to get a promotion like this," Jackson-durrett said in a school release. "It means everything to me. Being a part of this program has helped me grow in such a way in my profession that I never would have thought possible. Getting this promotion means that my growth is evident not just to me but also coach Schaefer. I'm so grateful to have more responsibilities, get a new title and just be in this program. Our whole staff has helped me grow in so many ways and has taught me so much.”
Jackson-durrett has guided MSU'S point guards since her arrival back in 2015. The point guard position for the Bulldogs has excelled ever since.
In each of the last three years, State has notched its top three assists marks for a single season. The Bulldogs set a program record with 602 assists in the 2017-18 season.
Since Jackson-durrett has been in Starkville, MSU has led the Southeastern Conference in assists three times, assists per game once and assist/turnover ratio two times. Last year, MSU finished 12th in the country in assists, 15th in assist/turnover ratio and 24th in assists per game. The Bulldogs led the SEC in all three categories. It was being the brains behind such production that helped lead Schaefer to elevate Jacksondurrett on his staff.
"Dionnah has been instrumental in the success of our program," Schaefer said. "Each year, she's continued taking on more responsibilities and her promotion to associate head coach alongside Johnnie Harris is well deserved and earned. We are so blessed to have the staff that we have here at Mississippi State. Our team has gone to unprecedented heights the past few years and part of that is a credit to Dionnah for her ability to develop point guards along with her involvement in recruiting. I'm very proud of her, and I'm excited to see what her future has in store."
Most notably, Jacksondurrett has molded two of the best point guards in Mississippi State history. Both Morgan William and Jazzmun Holmes received All-american honorable mention recognition while playing under the leadership of Jackson-durrett.
William holds the MSU record for career assists and career assists per game average. Holmes broke William's single-season record for assists last year when she recorded 202 assists.
Now, moving forward, Jackson-durrett will get the chance to continue molding star MSU players while coaching under a brand new title.
“I don't get this promotion without the staff that we have from the top to the bottom,” Jackson-durrett said. “I have learned from every single person that has been on our staff. I'm so thankful for coach Schaefer promoting me to this position, but I don't get it without the team effort and push that happens daily with this staff."