Under Jennings’ leadership, the team became ASUN champions and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time ever.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s official. Jacksonville University is making a strong commitment to the future of its women’s basketball program, extending head coach Special Jennings’ contract.
Reports say the extension is through the 2032 season.
Jennings, who took over the program in 2023, has quickly engineered a turnaround for the Dolphins. In just her third season at the helm, Jacksonville delivered a breakout year, capturing the ASUN Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in program history.
The rapid success marks a significant milestone for a program that had been searching for consistency in recent years. Under Jennings’ leadership, the Dolphins have established a new standard, combining disciplined play with postseason results.
“We’re thrilled to have Coach Jennings at the helm of our women’s basketball program long into the future,” said Jacksonville senior vice president and athletic director Alex Ricker-Gilbert in a statement. “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.”
Securing Jennings long-term signals confidence from the university in both her vision and the program’s upward trajectory. With a conference title and NCAA appearance already on her résumé, expectations will continue to rise as Jacksonville looks to build on its recent momentum.