JACKSONVILLE, FLA – Jacksonville University women's basketball head coach Special Jennings has finalized her coaching staff that will guide the program into her debut season 2023-24.
Jennings will be joined by returning assistant coach and former Jacksonville standout, Kayla Gordon, along with former Montverde assistant coach Rashad Lyle, and former Longwood volunteer assistant coach Ivana Boyd.
Erin Saunderson, a former Assistant Athletic Director at Montverde Academy, comes aboard as the Director of Operations.
Kayla Gordon joined the Jacksonville women's basketball staff as assistant coach prior to the 2022-23 season and was retained to become a part of Jennings' staff in the spring 2023.
"I am so excited to re-welcome Coach Gordon to Jacksonville. A proven recruiter, she will work primarily with the post, but loves player development, relationships and promotes a family atmosphere," said Jennings. "This is a full-circle and particularly special moment for her as she is a Jacksonville University alumni. I cannot wait to coach and work alongside her. "
Gordon spent three seasons at the professional level, and most recently played overseas with Vimpelin Veto in the Finland Korisliiga. During the 2020-21 season, she averaged 19.4 ppg and 17.4 rpg and shot 49 percent from the floor in 23 games. During her tenure abroad, she also spent parts of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons with GS Kronos Agiou Dimitriou in the Greek A1 League and Carnide Clube/Holos in the Portugal-Liga Feminina for 15 games during the 2019-20 season and averaged 18.9 ppg, 19.4 rpg and shot 47 percent from the field.
Before turning pro, Gordon had a stellar four-year career as a Dolphin and was a member of JU's 2015-16 ASUN Tournament Championship team. In her final season during the 2017-18 campaign, she averaged 12.1 ppg and 9.6 rpg and shot 53 percent from the field and was named the ASUN's Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-Conference First Team. In her debut season in 2014-15, she was named the ASUN's Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team, averaging 8.8 ppg and 7.4 rpg while posting a 54 percent shooting mark.
Lyle won two national championships while at Montverde Academy as an assistant from 2021-23. He played a big hand in the development of top-100 recruit Cori Allen and top-40 recruit Vivian Iwuchuku. While at Montverde, he also specialized in social media and creative content for the program. Lyle helped develop I'uana Slaughter into a second team all-conference performer at Lincoln College in 2020-21. Other stops included Fisk University as a player development coach and Fort Valley State where he was a graduate assistant under WNBA Champion Le'Coe Willingham and helped tutor Second Team All-SIAC selection Nola Carter. He graduated from Kennesaw State in 2016 and served as basketball manager there.
"Coach Lyle is a tremendous addition to our staff at Jacksonville. He has proven to be a great recruiter, has a passion for player development and takes pride in coaching," said Jennings. "I have had the pleasure of working alongside him the past two years. We are blessed to have him join our family, as he will surely help us towards our goal of winning ASUN Championships."
Boyd comes to Jacksonville after a stint as a volunteer assistant coach at Longwood. The Palatka, Florida native played her freshman season at Lamar in Beaumont, Texas before transferring to Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida for her sophomore year. While at Santa Fe, she was named to the Mid-Florida Conference First Team and was team MVP.
Following her successes at Santa Fe, Boyd transferred to Flagler College to play under current Longwood head coach Erika Lang-Montgomery for her final two collegiate seasons and was named MVP for her senior season in 2019-20 after leading the team in assists. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Flagler in 2020.
Boyd's previous coaching experience includes a season coaching girls' basketball at Paxon High School in Jacksonville for the 2020-21 school year.
"Coach Boyd is a proven winner, she is experienced, passionate and knows how to work. You can feel a different energy when she walks into a room, and she has the ability to connect with anyone at any moment," said Jennings. "Coach Boyd will be a great addition to our program and the Jacksonville community."
Saunderson joined Montverde Academy during the 2021-22 school year after three years at The Bush School in her hometown of Seattle. While at The Bush School, she filled a variety of roles in the Athletics Department. Saunderson also brings three years of coaching experience between lacrosse and soccer. During her time in Seattle, she gained experience working with the WNBA's Storm and Seattle University Athletics.
"I am thrilled to welcome Erin Saunderson to Jacksonville. She takes great pride in ensuring that our student-athletes are well taken care of and have a great experience," Jennings commented. "Erin is extremely organized and detailed in the way that she oversees the daily operations of the program. Please help me welcome Erin to the Dolphin family."
