The Texas A&M University-Commerce athletic department has announced a five-year contract extension for women’s basketball coach Jason Burton, which keeps the Lions’ all-time wins leader in Commerce through the 2026-27 season.
“From the time we engaged in conversations with the Southland Conference last summer, President Rudin and I agreed on the importance of continuity with the elite coaches leading our programs,” said, Tim McMurray, Director of Athletics. “This commitment to Jason Burton and our women’s basketball program reinforces the paradigm that the best days for Lion Athletics are still ahead. It will be an honor to cheer on our women’s basketball program under Jason’s leadership and mentorship for our women’s team. His commitment to comprehensive program success is a Best in Class model, as evident by our unmatched NCAA postseason success over the last five seasons.”
Amassing 157 wins as the leader of the Lions, Burton has guided A&M-Commerce to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and secured a win in the NCAA Regional in each of the last two seasons. Burton has been at the helm for four of the five postseason trips in school history.
“My family and I cannot be more excited to continue to be a part of the Commerce community and to take the Lion women’s basketball program into Division I,” said Burton. “It’s a blessing and we are truly grateful. These young women, the athletic department, and the entire community mean so much to our family. Thank you to Dr. Rudin, Tim McMurray, and Eric Coleman for believing not only in me, but in women’s basketball.”
“We have had tremendous success the last four years and that doesn’t happen without the support of our university and our administration. I’m excited to continue that success as we move up to the Southland, excited to continue helping to develop our incredible student athletes and excited to help grow and better Commerce and A&M-Commerce however we can.”
In 2022-23, Burton enters his ninth season as the coach of the Lions and first in Division I as members of the Southland Conference. This past season, the Lions secured the program’s best ranking in the Division II Sports Information Directors Association rankings (No. 1) and in the Division II Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) rankings (No. 2).
A 2021-22 finalist for WBCA National Coach of the Year, Burton has not had a losing record since arriving in Commerce as the head coach and advanced to the conference tournament championship game in each of the past three seasons.
“From the time I arrived at A&M-Commerce, I have been impressed by the quality of coach Burton’s leadership – on and off the floor. Based on his leadership, it is easy to see why our institution was attractive enough to receive a Division I invitation,” said Eric Coleman, Interim Director of Athletics. “Having worked at all levels of Division I with highly successful coaches, I am confident that this extension will be an investment with impact. It is another great day to be a Lion!”
Burton has coached five All-Americans as well as three conference Players of the Year, three Freshmen of the Year, one Sixth Woman of the Year, and one region Most Outstanding Player of the Year.
Burton concluded, “there are many places where women’s basketball is just tolerated, but it is celebrated, cherished, and valued here. Thank you to this community and this university for the investment, both financially and with your time and support, that you make for our women’s sports.”
A native of Plano, Burton is married to the former Alexyndra Guiton. The Burtons have a son, Braylon, 2.
