Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham women's basketball head coach Bridgette Mitchell has announced today the addition of Andre Jurko as Player Development Assistant Coach for her inaugural 2023-24 campaign.
"Andre is a great addition to my staff here at Fordham." Coach Mitchell said, "He brings an unbelievable work ethic and great energy on a daily basis. He loves the game of basketball, studies it, and easily transfers his knowledge to our players. I'm excited to have him overseeing the development of our players."
Jurko served as an assistant coach under Coach Mitchell at Northeastern for the 2022-23 season in which the Huskies put together one of the program's finest campaigns. Picked to finish eighth in the CAA preseason poll, Northeastern notched a program-record 13 conference victories, including a program-record nine straight, en route to a share of the program's first-ever regular season championship. The Huskies reached the CAA semifinals for just the third time in school history. In 2023, three Huskies earned All-Conference honors – Deja Bristol was named the league's Sixth Player of the Year, whom Jurko specifically helped develop, Derin Erdogen garnered First Team honors in his first year in Boston, and Gemima Motema was placed on the Third and All-Defensive teams.
"I am thrilled and honored to be under Coach B's leadership again." Jurko said, "We are excited for next season and are looking forward to elevating Fordham women's basketball to new heights."
Prior to his arrival in Boston, Jurko spent six years at UNC Asheville, four of which came as an assistant coach, where he helped develop multiple positions. His first two years spent as the team's Director of Basketball Operations saw a Big South championship in 2017 and a runner-up finish in 2018. During his first two seasons as an assistant coach, the Bulldogs earned two WBI postseason berths.
"Dre will fit right into the melting pot of New York – his family is from Slovenia. He is well-versed and can connect with just about everyone. He will fit well into the Fordham community."
Jurko also spent time at the high school level, serving as an assistant coach at Sagemont in Weston, Fla., and helped the nationally-recognized program reach the State Finals in Class 3-A. A native of Weston, Jurko went to Florida State University for four years as an engineering major before deciding to pursue a career in athletics and enrolling in Florida's sports management program, graduating with his Bachelor's degree in 2017.
