Ashleen Bracey completed her women’s basketball coaching staff, announcing that Dodie Dunson has joined the UIC program as an assistant coach.
Dunson spent last season as an assistant coach at Tulsa, helping lead the Golden Hurricane to two postseason wins and an appearance in the second round of the WNIT.
“We are thrilled to have Dodie Dunson join our coaching staff. Dodie has eight years of coaching experience at the Mid Major level and has established himself as a high level recruiter. Dodie excels in his ability to connect, build relationships, and develop players on and off the court. Dodie has a relentless work ethic, and an unwavering passion for the game.
Dunson arrived at Tulsa after spending three years on staff at UAB. He helped the Blazers record 56 wins, including back-to-back 20+ win seasons in his first two years. In the 2018-19 season, UAB posted a 26-7 overall record, marking the second-most wins in program history, and advanced to the WNIT Second Round. UAB had six all-conference honorees during his time with the Blazers.
Prior to UAB, Dunson was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at SIU-Edwardsville for two years (2016-18). He helped the Cougars earn 31 wins, make back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference tournament appearances and play in the 2018 Women’s Basketball Invitational. Dunson was also instrumental in coaching three all-conference selections.
Previously, Dunson served as the director of basketball operations for both the men’s and women’s teams at Western Illinois (2014-16), as the associate head coach at Wabash Valley College (2013-14), as the Bloomington High School boys varsity coach (2011-13) and as Team Illinois Educational AAU U16 boys associate director (2009-13).
Dunson played his freshman season at Iowa State (2006-07), where he played in all 31 games and averaged 5.2 points, scored 30 three-pointers, the fourth most for a Cyclone rookie, and shot 81.6-percent from the free throw line. Dunson transferred to Vincennes University for one season, helping the Trailblazers to a 28-6 record, and was named as the MVP of the National Junior College Association of American (NJCAA) District 3 Tournament.
Dunson finished his career at Bradley, playing the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons, after missing all but two games of the 2009-10 season due to injury. He tallied 692 points in 68 games for 10.1 points per game and was named a 2011 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award finalist.
Dunson established the Dodie Dunson II Foundation in 2019, which was created to inspire, motivate and provide resources for people in at risk youth communities.
Dunson graduated from Bradley with a degree in social work in 2011 and earned his master’s degree in physical education and coaching pedagogy from SIUE in 2017.
