JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After leading the Jacksonville University women’s basketball team to the ASUN title and the NCAA tournament, head coach Special Jennings is staying put.
The Dolphins announced a contract extension with Jennings on Monday afternoon, keeping the fourth-year coach in town for the foreseeable future. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, with JU saying it was a “new long-term contract.”
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“I’m thankful for the trust and support from Jacksonville University, and especially our athletic director, Alex Ricker-Gilbert,” Jennings said in a statement.
“We’ve built something special here! We’ve built a culture rooted in accountability, belief, and excellence. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m excited to keep pushing this program forward for our players and for the city of Jacksonville.”
The Dolphins went 24-9, matching the most wins in a single season in program history. Yolett McPhee-McCuin went 24-9 in 2017-18. JU had been to the NCAA tournament just once before, going in 2015-16 as a No. 16 seed under McPhee-McCuin.
Jennings has improved every season since she was hired in 2023. After a three-game increase (11 wins to 14) from her first to second season, Jennings and the Dolphins were on another level in 2026. They averaged a program-best 72.3 points per game and beat Austin Peay in overtime (66-63) to win the ASUN title. Guard Priscilla Williams became JU’s first ASUN Player of the Year, and Tatum Brown made the All-Freshman team.
“We’re thrilled to have Coach Jennings at the helm of our women’s basketball program long into the future,” Ricker-Gilbert said in a release.
“The program’s ascent over the last three years was clear, resulting in a historic championship run. The 2025-2026 season was a tremendous moment for our program and university, and we’re excited to continue building on this success under Coach Jennings’ leadership.”