Bronx, N.Y. –Fordham women's basketball head coach Bridgette Mitchell has today announced the first addition to her coaching staff for her inaugural season in the Bronx, bringing former assistant coach Keturah Jackson over from her Northeastern staff in the same role.
"When you are building a program and striving for championships, it is important to have continuity and trust in the people that you bring in, and Keturah provides that." Coach Mitchell said, "Her ability to coach, teach the game, and develop players puts them in a position to be successful, not only on the court, but in life. Coach KJ is one of the best and the brightest. I cannot wait for the world to see how she impacts this program and Fordham University."
Jackson, a former teammate of Mitchell's at Duke, spent the past two seasons with the Huskies from 2021-23, helping spur the team to a historic season in her final year. Northeastern, picked to finish eighth in last year's CAA preseason poll, finished in a tie for first in the league standings with a program-record 13 wins, including a program-record nine straight victories, earning a share of the program's first-ever CAA regular season title. The year prior, the Huskies were predicted to finish last and ended in sixth, a sign of their ascension to come.
"I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity and I'm eager to join the Fordham family and contribute to the continued success of the student-athletes and program." Jackson said.
While with Northeastern, she oversaw the development of three All-CAA selections, all wings, including Kendall Currence, a 2022 First Team honoree, Derin Erdogan, a 2023 First Teamer in her first year in Boston, and Gemina Motema, who garnered Third Team All-Conference and All-Defensive accolades in 2022-23 and All-Rookie in 2021-22. She will continue to develop wings at Fordham. Jackson also oversaw all of the Huskies' promotions and marketing for games to increase attendance.
"At Fordham, we've historically had really talented guards. I'm looking forward to keeping that tradition going while using our resources and alumni support in recruiting to add to the Ramily." Jackson added.
Prior to her time in Boston, Jackson served as a special assistant for the Duke women's program, routinely creating scouting reports and prepping the team's film reviews. From 2016-19, she was an award-winning girl's basketball head coach at Lower Richland High School in South Carolina, garnering three Region V 4A Coach of the Year awards, while her Hornets won three regional championships, advanced to the 2016-17 state semifinals, and produced four Division I scholarship players.
Before that, she was the head coach at White Knoll High School for three seasons, guiding the Timberwolves to their first playoff appearance and postseason victory. She has also been an assistant coach at C.A. Johnson and Chantilly, where she primarily handled scouting, game preparation, and the development of guards.
Jackson's leadership extends well beyond the basketball court and into the community. Among the notable positions she has held, she has served as the School Improvement Council Vice Chair at Lower Richland, taught at Nike Basketball Camps & Clinics, been a board member on the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association (SCBCA), and been a contributor at the White Knoll Leadership Group.
"I'm especially excited to continue working with a head coach with the pedigree, passion, and relentless energy that Coach B possesses."
As a student-athlete alongside Mitchell, Jackson co-led the defensive effort for Duke during its 2009-10 season that witnessed the Blue Devils post 32 wins and advance to the Elite Eight. Her 83 steals during the program's run rank today as the sixth-most during a single Duke season, helping earn her ACC All-Defensive Team honors. Jackson graduated in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology after appearing in 126 career games with 59 starts, despite missing her freshman season due to injury, also finishing with 193 career steals.
