Jillian Dunston - Assistant Women's Basketball Coach - Women's Basketball Coaches

Jillian Dunston

Title:
Assistant Women's Basketball Coach
Email:
jd3679@drexel.edu
Phone:
215-895-1967

Coaching
Drexel University Assistant Coach (2020-present)
Florida State University Graduate Assistant (2018-2020)

Playing Career
University of Michigan / 2014-18
2018 NCAA Tournament Appearance
2017-18 Team Captain
2017 WNIT Champion
Second all-time in rebounds at time of graduation (862)
3x Academic All-Big Ten
Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2018)

Jillian Dunston joined the Drexel University women’s basketball program as an assistant coach under head coach Amy Mallon on April 10, 2020.

Her second season as an assistant coach was a momentous one for Dunston as Drexel went 28-6, tying for the most wins in program history and setting a new standard for fewest losses. Drexel enjoyed a 14-game winning streak during the year and had three players named to All-Conference teams. The Dragons won the CAA regular season championship and advanced to the WNIT Sweet 16, a run that included a 17-point, fourth quarter comebaack against Bucknell in the Second Round. Drexel was third in NCAA Division I in fewest turnovers with 11.1 per game and led the CAA in scoring defense, holding opponents to 56.3 points per game.

Dunston also garnered personal recognition for her efforts with the Dragons, being named WBCA Thirty Under 30. The was created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches aged 30 and under at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement.

Dunston stepped into her first official season as an assistant coach with full force, helping the Dragons to their best finish in over 10 years. The newly appointed staff, under first year head coach Amy Mallon, made their mark on Drexel Women's Basketball history as only the second team in program history to claim the CAA title and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Dunston helped lead the Dragons to a 14-9 record in her first season and mentored several all-conference players.

Dunston made her way to Drexel after spending two years as a graduate assistant at Florida State University from 2018-20. In her role at Florida State, Dunston served a variety or roles: assisting in practice planning and preparation, scout team duties, game preparation, helping organize team travel and recruiting coordinating tasks.

Prior to FSU, Dunston was a four-time letterwinner for the University of Michigan women’s basketball team. She served as a team captain in 2017-18 during her senior campaign as the Wolverines made their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2013. She led the Big Ten in assist to turnover ratio (4.00), defensive rebounds per game (8.0) and was named to the conference's all-defensive team. She also averaged 9.0 rebounds that year including 15 games with at least 10 boards. At the time of her graduation, she ranked second all-time at the school in career rebounds (862). As a junior in 2016-17, she was part of the Michigan team that claimed the WNIT Championship, defeating Georgia Tech in 3OT for the title.

A native of Silver Spring, Md., Dunston earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sport Management from Michigan in 2018 before receiving her Master of Science degree in Sport Management from Florida State in 2020.