McNeese head women’s basketball coach Brooks Williams announced the hiring of two new assistant coaches to her staff in the husband and wife duo of Kevin and Brenita Jackson. The Jacksons replace Ben Law and Tyria Snow.
The Jacksons have not only coached together, they have also founded, and currently direct and are co-owners of KBJ Academy. The couple was featured in the Houston Chronicle in January as a ‘Couple a winning team on and off San Jac court.” The Jacksons have had successful stints at Lon Morris College, Cisco College and most recently at San Jacinto College. They are coming off a 23-9 season and a trip to the Region XIV with the Lady Gators.
“The addition of the Jacksons is huge for Cowgirl Basketball,” Williams said. “This is a big recruiting coup for McNeese. They are both experienced coaches of high character and share our vision for excellence. The husband and wife combo is a unique situation, one that I believe will be extremely positive for our program and our girls. Kevin and Brenita have a very special balance between a nurturing, yet tough mindset to guide their student-athletes. They are passionate about preparing athletes for the next phase of life. I can’t wait for our Cowgirl fans to get to know them.”
Brenita is a former Southland Conference standout (Southeastern Louisiana) and professional player, was named Region XIV Coach of the Year for her coaching efforts during the 2014-15 season. She is known for revitalizing and creating winning cultures. She is a relentless and proven recruiter, player and community developer and practice and game coach who is driven to help student-athletes excel on and off the court.
“We are extremely humbled by the opportunity to work for such a hard working, smart and genuine woman,” Jackson said. “Everyone on her staff has an infectious passion for winning and mentoring young women. I look forward to building on the tradition already started at McNeese.”
This past season, she was named Coach of the Year and also coached the conference freshman of the year, an all-conference honorable mention selection and an all-region selection.
Prior to San Jacinto College, Brenita had a brief stint at Cisco College. While at Cisco, Jackson had 100 percent graduation rate, boasted a much-improved 3.1 team GPA during the fall semester, had an all-conference selection and was selected to coach the winning West team for the Mineral Wells All Star Classic.
As head coach at Lon Morris College, she guided the Bearcats to the Region XIV semifinals in 2012. Jackson coached four all-conference selections, including the Region XIV freshman of the year, and a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) all-American. Her 2011-2012 squad had two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) academic all-Americans. During her stint at Lon Morris, Jackson coached former Cowgirl forward Arianna James.
In 2012, the Jacksonville Progress named Jackson their Sports Woman of the Year. That same season, the Bearcats were the Region XIV championship runner-ups. Three players earned all-conference honors, one being named a NJCAA all-American. Her 2011 squad had a NJCAA academic all-American, and was ranked fifth in the nation by the WBCA for a team GPA of 3.2.
Under Brenita’s watch, the Lon Morris women’s basketball program boasted a 100 percent sophomore graduation rate. She holds the Lon Morris record for the best winning percentage after winning 37 games in two seasons. Jackson began the school’s first mentor program and fundraising campaigns for her program and also implemented a successful summer basketball camp.
Brenita spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Lon Morris prior to being named head coach. As an assistant, she helped the team advance to two consecutive regional tournaments, and had six all-conference selections. Eight of her players went on to play at the next level, including three to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I schools. Jackson has also coached the Dallas Diesel Club and the Aabyhoj Club.
Brenita prepped at Cedar Hill High School (Cedar Hill, TX.) where she was a starter on a squad that reached the Texas regional semifinals. She was recruited to play at Lon Morris, where she led her team to the Region XIV conference championship game and the best single-season record in Lon Morris College history. She was named to the all-conference and all-academic teams, and was the first women’s basketball player at Lon Morris to sign a NCAA Division I scholarship.
While at Southeastern Louisiana, Brenita helped the team reach the Southland Conference Tournament in each of her two years, and led the squad to become the East Division Conference champions in 2007 for the first time in school history. She earned all-conference, all-Louisiana, all-academic honors while with the Lady Lions. She went on to play professionally in Aarhus, Denmark, where she also coached a junior club team to an undefeated season and three tournament championships. Her coaching career began in 2008 with the Dallas Diesel Junior Club.
Brenita holds a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University (Irvine, Calif.). She is currently a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. She has served on the WBCA Carol Eckman Committee, WBCA Convention Focus Group and was a speaker at the 2015 WBCA Final Four roundtables on player development.
“Brenita’s experiences are incredible,” said Williams. “She brings so much passion, knowledge and innovation. The culture she and Kevin created at each of their coaching stops was truly special. She has called the shots on the sidelines for six years and has had great success. She has a special poise about her as well as an understanding of the attention to detail it takes be successful. She has been a standout in our league as a player. I think most importantly, I’ve witnessed the way she cares for her student-athletes and treats them as a priority. She has the same vision we do for guiding players to become strong, successful young ladies. Our girls and coaching staff are thrilled to welcome her to our Cowgirl family.”
Kevin, an energetic and passionate skill developer, recruited and developed San Jacinto’s first Region XIV freshman of the year, three WBCA all-Americans and two all-conference players in his first recruiting class. The 2015 squad ranked in the Top 25 all season. He was an integral part of one of the biggest turnarounds in the country after flipping a 3-27 team in 2014 to a 23-9 team in 2015.
“Being at McNeese is an honor,” Kevin said. “It’s an honor to join a great women’s basketball program with a great staff and players. It’s also an honor to join a great athletic department and the city of Lake Charles to continue building on a great legacy.”
Kevin assisted in all operations of the program to boast the best record in over 30 years. He was the program’s liaison for academics, aiding with academic goal setting, study hall and tutoring scheduling.
In the community, Jackson partnered his Lady Gator program with Harris County Community Service Department for #GatorsAdoptVets donations. He also organized the Lady Gator’s visits to the dialysis section of the Texas Children’s Hospital.
At Cisco College, Jackson trained and developed an all-conference player and assisted in all aspects of the program.
During Kevin’s stint at Lon Morris, he created workouts for position-focused training, strength and conditioning. He was also a vital component in preparation, scouting and film exchange. His recruiting efforts helped guide the 2012 squad to a school record 19 wins and helped earn the program’s first Region XIV freshman of the year.
The 2011 squad boasted three all-conference players, a NJCAA all-American, several members of the Region XIV all-tournament team and an academic all-American. The 2011 Lon Morris team finished as Region XIV finalists and set the record for longest win streak in program history.
Kevin holds a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from Southeastern Louisiana and a Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University (Irvine, Calif.)
“Kevin’s energy is infectious,” Williams said. “I think he has special qualities that will immediately make us better. He is a motivator and a winner. He loves the game and certainly shows it in his work ethic and dedication to his student-athletes. Kevin is an intense, energetic practice and game coach. I’ve witnessed his energy and discipline in practice and individual workouts. He has a great knowledge of the game and the skill set players need to be successful. I have no doubt he will help our girls get to an even higher level athletically and academically. We are all thrilled to welcome Kevin to our family.
