On May 17, 2021, Adelphi University Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation
Danny McCabe announced that Sade Jackson '14 will return to her alma mater as the 12th head coach in the program's history.
She appeared in 110 games as a Panther from 2010-14 and is one of only 22 players in the program's history to reach 1,000 career points. Jackson posted lifetime averages of 10.8 points, 6.1 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game, to go along with 20 career double-doubles and three triple-doubles. Her 6.1 assist-per-game average is tied for 24th all-time in Division II history and her career assist record stands at 673, which is second-most all-time in the NE10.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity to return to my alma mater and lead the women's basketball program," commented Jackson. "Adelphi was extremely influential in my development -- not only as a student-athlete -- but also as a person and I am excited for the chance to extend this experience to our current and future student-athletes."
After a 3-6 start to her debut season as head coach, Jackson's squad went 9-5 over their last 14 regular-season games, en route to earning the Southwest Division's No. 3 seed in the NE10 Championship. While the Panthers nearly overcame a 19-point first-half deficit in their first-round game against Franklin Pierce, Adelphi closed out the regular season on a high note, winning eight of its last 11 games, including a six-game winning streak from Jan. 15 to Jan. 27 -- the fourth-longest winning streak for a first-year head coach in Adelphi women's basketball history.
Under her tutelage, Jackson helped mold Miccile into an NE10 Defensive Player of the Year selection - the first since the program made its debut in the NE10 in 2009-10.
The next year, Jackson's mentorship turned to Ty'zhea Hawkins, who became the first Panther since the 2013-14 campaign to lead the conference in scoring. At an average of 18.7 points per game, Hawkins earned NE10 First Team All-Conference honors, making her just the seventh player in program history (first since 2020) to be labeled an NE10 First Team All-Conference performer.
Prior to her return to Adelphi, Jackson spent two seasons as an assistant coach under former Adelphi head women's basketball coach
Heather Jacobs at Division I Wagner College in Staten Island.
During her time with the Seahawks, the team ranked among the top two in the Northeast Conference (NEC) in several statistical categories, while finishing 21st nationally in turnovers forced, as the Wagner defense created 19.8 turnovers per contest by the opposition. In her first season on staff in 2019-20, Wagner finished the year among the top-three in the NEC in assists (13.8 apg, third) and turnover margin (+0.70, third). Additionally, the Seahawks ranked fourth in steals, averaging 8.0 a contest.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sade Jackson back to Adelphi. She is one of the all-time great Panthers and we couldn't be more happy to have her lead our women's basketball program," said McCabe.
"Sade was always a 'coach' on the floor when she played for Adelphi and graduated as the program's all-time assist leader. She is a relationship-builder that will work with our student-athletes to help them maximize their basketball skills while providing a great college experience."
Following a one-year stint on staff with the Panthers in 2015-16, Jackson earned her first head coaching position at the Pratt Institute, where -- in two seasons -- she led the team to its highest win total in program history (2017) and saw three student-athletes earn All-Conference accolades. While there, she also became the department's Associate Athletic Director for Events and Facilities, and was named Senior Woman Administrator.
"I'd like to thank
Danny McCabe and the search committee for entrusting me to continue to build upon the success of the program and I cannot wait to begin this journey."
