FORT WORTH, Texas – Texas Wesleyan Athletics Director Ricky Dotson has announced today the hiring of Brenita Jackson as head coach of the women's basketball program. Former head coach and Associate Athletics Director Steve Trachier is retiring after more than a decade of successful and productive years at Texas Wesleyan.

Jackson joins the Rams with coaching experience at the high school, junior college, and professional levels. She was also a student-athlete, playing as a stretch-4 Forward for Southeastern Louisiana (NCAA DI) and Lon Morris (NJCAA DI), before moving to the next level to play professionally in Europe.  
 
Jackson comes from Little Elm High School where she served as an assistant coach for a year.  Prior to Little Elm, she worked 6 years building KBJ Academy with her husband Kevin Jackson to offer consulting, basketball skills training, camps and team building retreats across the country. She also has stints as the head coach at Lon Morris before the institution had to close its doors in 2012, and San Jacinto College. Read coach Jackson's full bio to find out how she and her husband Kevin made history at both stops.

"I'm extremely excited to announce Brenita Jackson as our new Women's Basketball Coach," said Dotson.  "I've known Brenita as a player and coach for many years, and her competitiveness, her passion, and her genuine care for her athletes epitomize the characteristics we want in our women's basketball program moving forward.  She has a proven track record as a head coach at the collegiate level, and I expect her to bring the same type of success to Texas Wesleyan.  We had an unbelievable response to the position, and throughout the process, Brenita's name continued to rise to the top.  She will serve as a fantastic role model for our student-athletes and will infuse an enthusiasm throughout our campus."

Dotson continued saying, "I also want to thank Steve Trachier for the years of service he gave to Texas Wesleyan.  He is the ultimate professional, and while I wish him the best in his retirement, he will be greatly missed in our department.  He poured his soul in to the women's basketball program and our young women have benefited greatly from his leadership."
 
Jackson is a graduate of Cedar Hill High School and as a student-athlete she competed two seasons at Lon Morris, garnering All-Conference and All-Academic recognition while leading the team from last place in the previous year to a Region 14 conference championship runner-up finish in 2005. Jackson then transferred to NCAA DI Southeastern Louisiana, a member of the Southland Conference, where she achieved All-Conference, All-Louisiana, and All-Academic honors. Additionally, Jackson led the Lions to an East Division Southland Conference Championship in 2007.

Brenita and her husband Kevin have used their experience to help more than 4,500 student-athletes and their parents learn more about the recruiting process while traveling the country to host basketball camps, clinics and showcases.  They have been coaching with various businesses and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The two are published authors of "Play College Basketball" which was ranked #18 of the top sports books to read in 2021.  They also host two podcasts called "Hoops with KBJ" and "Coffee with KBJ" which are both available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and iheart radio. 
 
Jackson has a B.A. in Business Management from Southeastern Louisiana (2007) and a M.A. in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University – Irvine (2012).

Q&A with Coach Jackson

Q: What made you want to get back into collegiate coaching, and what have you learned in your time away?  ​
A: I have enjoyed traveling the country pouring into thousands of student-athletes and helping parents navigate the recruiting process, but I miss the relationships you get to build when coaching at the college level.  As a college coach you recruit players that fit your vision. You recruit their parents and really develop lifelong relationships with them.  I learned that nothing is more important than family and I have an amazing support system right here in the Dallas Ft. Worth area.  In my time away I learned that I have a gift of teaching, encouraging, and finding the good in others which this generation needs.  I also learned that God is the author and finisher of my purpose which goes beyond a title and has not limitations, so in this season, he is calling me back to the sidelines to inspire, motivate and mentor.  I'm excited about the potential here at Texas Wesleyan.

Q: Share a little bit about your time as a pro in Denmark and how the experience of playing and coaching in a different country contributed to your coaching journey? 
A: ​My time playing in Denmark was fantastic, our team was undefeated and I enjoyed the girls, but I started coaching there too.  I completely fell in love with coaching and helping others who love basketball get better at their craft. When I get to recruit and coach international students, it's a pure joy and we connect on a different level because I get what it's like to be so far from home getting used to a different way of life.  International students usually play with a higher level of passion and excitement because they know how rare it is to earn a scholarship and play in America, which is what I love. I love grateful players that play with passion!  I have also used the experience to help a few of my former players go play professionally overseas as well.  

Q: What impact does your work building KBJ Academy have as you transition into coaching at the NAIA level? 
A: The impact will be a huge benefit as I recruit here at Texas Wesleyan.  The number of contacts and level of trust I have built more than doubled since stepping away from coaching.  KBJ Academy has outgrown my husband and I and we are in the process of hiring competent coaches and staff that can run with our vision.  Building the women's basketball program here at Texas Wesleyan is a passion of mine and I am excited to get our first class of recruits signed and enrolled!  

Q: What's the best way a recruit can connect with you? 
A: Recruits can send me an email at bjackson@txwes.edu with highlights and player bio or feel free to tag me on Twitter or Instagram @Brenita33 with your highlights.