Angela Jackson (basketball)

A Detroit native, Jackson started college playing basketball for Odessa College.[1][5][6] In 1986 and 1987 she was an All-Conference Selections in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference's Women's Basketball category.[5] In her junior year she transferred from Odessa Community College to Old Dominion University.[6] She played guard.[7] She graduated in 1991 with a degree in Health and Physical Education.[8][4]

Starting as an assistant coach at Wayne State University, Jackson went on to be head coach at Saginaw Valley State.[4] From there she became assistant coach at Michigan State University. Then she became the associate head coach at the University of Michigan from 2001 to 2003.[4][9] From 2003 to 2018, Jackson coached at Chicago State.

In 2010–2011, her team won their conference championships and also beat out Eastern Illinois and Cleveland State to earn a place in the WBI Final Four.[10] While there, 91 percent of her players graduated, since Jackson believes that education is still important for college athletes.[2] Although six of her players signed professional contracts, she still wants them to complete their degree.[2] Jackson argues that since female athletes are underpaid compared to their male counterparts, even those who go pro need to prepare for other careers, as well.[2]

Several of her players went on to sign professional contracts, including Tressa Beckel,[11] Jasmin Dixon, Zondranika Williams, and Kafayat Davies.[12]

In 2017–18, Chicago State's women's basketball team set a Division I record for the most consecutive losses.[13] Jackson was fired in 2018 for underperformance,[14] although the New York Times reported that the failing finances of Chicago State made it too difficult for her to attract and retain players.[1][15]