Niagara University women’s basketball head coach Jada Pierce has announced the addition of Megan Cunningham as Director of Basketball Operations for the program.
“We are thrilled to welcome Megan to our staff,” Pierce said. “I’ve known Megan for a few years and have followed her coaching career closely. She has made an impact at each program she has been a part of and we know she will do the same for us. We know our young women will benefit greatly from her energy and positivity. Megan’s character, hard work, and attention to detail speak for themselves. Her values align with our University and Women’s Basketball program.
At Niagara, Cunningham will be responsible for coordinating team travel, community service initiatives, practice schedules, housing, and managing the team’s social media accounts.
Cunningham arrives at Monteagle Ridge after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach for the Fairleigh Dickinson women’s basketball team. She helped guide the 2020-21 Knights to a 16-8 overall record, including a 12-6 record in NEC games for the program most conference wins since the 1992-93 season. Cunningham also coached four Knights who were selected to All-NEC teams. In her first season with the Knights, Cunningham helped guide FDU to the NEC Semifinals and earned the Knights their first NEC Tournament win since 1992.
“I am very excited to be here and working with such an experienced staff,” Cunningham said. “Coach Pierce has been a mentor to me in my coaching career and from the moment we met, I knew that Coach Pierce would be someone I wanted to learn from and grow with my coaching career.”
Before FDU, Cunningham was an assistant coach at Saint Francis (PA) for the 2018-19 season where she helped lead the Red Flash to the NEC Championship game while serving as an assistant recruiting coordinator.
Cunningham also worked with The Hoop Group from 2016-17 as a skills director and director of girls’ events. She planned and coordinated camps of over 150 players that focused on skill work, player development, and preparation for playing at the collegiate level. She was also responsible for marketing on various forms of digital media and managing finances for the Hoop Group Skills Camp.
As a student at West Chester, Cunningham volunteered with the Rams’ coaching staff for two seasons, primarily serving as the team’s video coordinator. She also played a role in conducting workouts, implementing a strength and conditioning program, and serving as a community outreach liaison. The Rams went 27-17 in the PSAC which included a 17-5 conference mark (21-8 overall) and an NCAA Division II Tournament berth in her first season.
A native of Hatboro, Pa., Cunningham graduated from West Chester in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics.
