As Youngstown State's women's basketball team continues its first 25-win season in nearly three decades, Head Coach Melissa Jackson has signed a contract extension through the 2030-31 season. Jackson and YSU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo announced the agreement on Thursday.
"I want to thank President Bill Johnson, our Board of Trustees and Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo for their trust and belief in me," Jackson said. "I feel very blessed to be at a university with tremendous leadership, and it is clear we have a shared vision for success. The investment they have shown in our women's basketball program is unmatched."
"Youngstown is such a unique place with a passionate community," she added. "I am humbled by the support and honored to continue to lead this special program. I look forward to continuing to build YSU women's basketball."
Jackson has led the Penguins to a 25-9 record this season, which continues into the Super 16 of the Postseason WNIT on Friday against Marshall inside Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. The 25 victories are the second most in school history and the most since the 1997-98 team won 28 games. Youngstown State has won 13 more games than in 2024-25, and only three teams in the country have had a greater win improvement.
"We are thrilled with how Melissa and her staff have developed our student-athletes for success on the court and in the classroom," Strollo said. "Our women's basketball program continues to make a meaningful impact in our community, and our passionate fan base has embraced the team under her leadership. We are proud of what we've accomplished in her first two seasons and look forward to building on that success as we extend our commitment to Melissa."
Jackson was named Youngstown State's head coach on March 14, 2024, and signed an initial contract running through the 2028-29 season.
Jackson is 37-28 as YSU's leader as she continues her second season with the Penguins into late March. YSU won three of its final four games of the 2024-25 regular season and finished with 12 victories, and the retention of its young, talented roster set the stage for this season's progression.
Youngstown State has used the Horizon League's top defense and a balanced offense as keys to its success in 2025-26. YSU has won 12 of its last 14 games, including its first postseason victory in 10 years with its 61-42 win over Maryland Eastern Shore in the WNIT on Tuesday. The Penguins also reached the Horizon League Championship game for the first time in program history.
On the individual level, Jackson has coached three players who have been named to the All-Horizon League Second Team: Sophia Gregory, Casey Santoro and Jewel Watkins. Gregory was the Horizon League Freshman of the Year in 2024-25, and she developed into the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2025-26. Paulina Hernandez is this season's Sixth Player of the Year in the Horizon League, and Sarah Baker was named to the All-Freshman Team.
Academically, Youngstown State had the third-highest GPA in the country with a 3.781 in Jackson's first season at the helm. The Penguins posted a 3.86 team GPA in the fall semester as they look to earn a spot on the WBCA's Academic Top 25 for the 15th time in the last 16 seasons. Three Penguins have earned Horizon League All-Academic Team honors, and six have been named Academic All-District.
