The University of South Alabama has named Yolisha Jackson as the 10th women’s basketball Head Coach in program history, Athletic Director Dr. Joel Erdmann announced Friday afternoon.
Jackson returns to South Alabama after spending the last three seasons at the University of South Florida as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to USF, Jackson spent seven years at South Alabama as an assistant coach, including the 2019-20 campaign as associate head coach.
“We are extremely excited about Yolisha leading our women’s basketball program,” Erdmann said. “This search was as competitive as any I have ever been associated with. The candidates vying for the position were tremendously qualified and engaging. As the process evolved it became obvious that Yolisha was the best person for our program, our university and our community.”
During her time as an assistant at South Florida, she was responsible for working with the program’s centers and power forwards. The Bulls were 70-20 during Jackson’s three years on staff, including winning the American Athletic Conference Tournament in 2020-21, in addition to trips to the NCAA Tournament all three years of her tenure.
Jackson was responsible for the development of South Florida’s Bethy Mununga, a Katrina McClain Award Candidate for the nation’s top power forward, during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. During her time at USF, Mununga totaled just shy of 1,000 rebounds, which put her third on the school’s all-time rebounding list.
“I am blessed and humbled at the opportunity to return to Mobile and lead South Alabama Women’s Basketball,” Jackson said. “I would like to thank President Bonner, Dr. Joel Erdmann and the rest of the South Alabama family for this amazing opportunity. Mobile is a special place with incredible fans, great tradition and tremendous support. I look forward to building relationships with our players, alumni, students and community. Now let’s get to work!”
During her time in Mobile, Jackson helped guide the Jaguars to two 20-win seasons and two national postseason appearances – the Women’s National Invitation Tournament in 2019 and the Women’s Basketball Invitational in 2018. Including helping the team find success, Jackson helped develop Antionette Lewis and Chyna Ellis, two of the conference’s top post players.
Ellis, who was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2015-16 and again in 2017-18, totaled 107 blocks during the 2017-8 campaign. Ellis also became the conference’s all-time blocks leader that same year.
Lewis led the Sun Belt in double-doubles in the 2019-20 year, averaging 13.2 points and 10.1 rebounds on the year, earning her All-Sun Belt second-team honors.
Prior to South Alabama, Jackson spent three years at the Air Force Academy after five years at Kennesaw State.
A press conference and media availability will be announced at a later date.
