PHOTO GALLERY
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- In front of an excited crowd of staff, fans, community supporters, coaching colleagues mentors past and present, students and her family and friends,
Jackie Alexander was introduced as the 13th full-time head coach in Morehead State Women's Basketball history Thursday at the Academic-Athletic Center.
"I want to thank (Director of Athletics) Kelly (Wells) and (Morehead State President) Dr. (Jay) Morgan for putting their trust in me to lead this program," she said. "It's truly an honor to be the head coach at Morehead State. I am also honestly overwhelmed by the number of people who showed up here today. It's clear as I have gotten to know the administration here in athletics, that we're all in this together and that all of you have a passion for Morehead State."
A Kentucky native whose hometown is Brodhead in Rockcastle County, Alexander has coaching experience at six Division I schools. She was also a standout student-athlete at the University of the Cumberlands and started her collegiate career with a season at Army. At Cumberlands, she earned two All-Mid-South Conference honors and became a two-time NAIA Academic All-American.
After graduation, Alexander served in the United States Army. She saw active duty from 2014 to 2017, reaching the rank of captain. She deployed to Iraq in 2016 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve with the 101st Airborne Division.
She was also a standout high school athlete, leading Rockcastle County to the Kentucky Sweet 16 in 2010, where the Rockets won the school's first-ever state tournament game.
"Jackie understands this region, values this community and has a genuine passion for THIS opportunity," said Wells. "When I was informed we needed to be looking for a new head coach for women's basketball, I was very intentional. We were looking for the right fit, at the right time, for our program - with great urgency. Thank you Dr. Morgan for allowing us to have great urgency. It was imperative that we find the right coach who could continue on the path we started this past season and continue to keep us moving in the right direction. We wanted someone who could connect with our campus, our community and our recruiting footprint. From day one, Jackie has shown a passion for THIS job, THIS program and THIS university."
She has proven plan for sustained success in the Eagle program.
"It starts with hard work. You will see that on the court," she said. "Offensively we'll push the basketball, but we won't sacrifice turnovers for our pace. We'll work to take care of the basketball. Defensively, we'll keep it simple. I am really big on teaching and player development. We are very intentional in our goals and plans for each young woman who comes into our program.
"I want run a program that you all (the fans) can be proud of for years to come."
