Women's Basketball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- graysonjl@sfasu.edu
- Phone:
- 468-4277
Jessica Grayson enters her sixth season as an Assistant Head Coach at Stephen F. Austin State University after being hired in 2016.
In the fifth year Grayson has been on staff, she has helped lead the Ladyjacks to a 122-31 overall record and 76-12 Southland Conference record, including five 23+ win seasons. The program has reached four postseason appearances including a trip to the NCAA Tournament, Two WNIT appearance and One WBI appearance.
In the recent historic 2020-21 season, Grayson helped guide the Ladyjacks to a No. 30 NCAA NET Ranking, reaching No. 17 during the midst of the regular season, in addition to receiving votes in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1998. The offensive and defensive philosophies exceeded expectations in 2020-21, where the Ladyjacks led NCAA Division I in total steals and turnovers forced. SFA finished the regular season 24-3, 14-0 SLC, notably in the top five in field goal percentage, scoring defense and turnover margin, ranking in the top 10 in total assists and assists per game in NCAA Division I. The Ladyjacks ended the season with a No. 8 ranking in the College Sports Madness Mid Major Poll as well.
Grayson has also played a significant role in the development of 14 All-Southland Conference performers and one Player of the Year, one Newcomer of the Year, one Southland Conference Tournament MVP, and one Southland Conference Academic Player of the Year.
Prior to joining the Ladyjacks, Grayson was an assistant coach at Illinois State University from 2013 to 2016 and served as the Junior College Recruiting Coordinator. During her three seasons at Illinois State, Grayson helped develop five MVC All-Conference selections.
Grayson was the head coach at Clarksville Academy, one of the top private schools in Tennessee for one year prior to making the move to Illinois State in 2013. She also had stops at her alma mater, Austin Peay State for two seasons as an assistant coach and served an assistant coach at Tennessee-Martin for three seasons.
Grayson started her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Valdosta State for two seasons, where she obtained a Master’s degree in health and physical education.
The McMinnville, Tennessee native, played basketball at Columbia State Community College earning NJCAA All-American honors and then at Austin Peay State University, where she graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance.
The Grayson File
Hometown: McMinnville, Tennessee
High School: Warren County High School
Colleges: Columbia State Community College, Austin Peay State University (2005), Valdosta State University
Playing Experience: Columbia State Community College, Austin Peay State University (2005)
Coaching Experience
2021-present: SFA | Assistant Head Coach
2016-21: SFA | Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator
2013-16: Illinois State University | Assistant Coach & Junior College Recruiting Coordinator
2012-13: Clarksville Academy (Tennessee) | Head Coach
2010-12: Austin Peay State University | Assistant Coach
2007-10: Tennessee-Martin | Assistant Coach
2005-07: Valdosta State | Graduate Assistant Coach
Accomplishments
• NJCAA All-American (2000)
