Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Countdown to Craziness on October 3, 2025 at 7 p.m.
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7 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs Countdown to Craziness
Women's Basketball
Jackson, Tia
Tia Jackson
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- tia.jackson@duke.edu
Tia Jackson rejoined the Duke women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach in July of 2020. She was elevated to associate head coach on July 1, 2022.
Jackson is a coaching veteran with nearly three decades of experience, including four as a head coach. She makes Durham, N.C., home for a second time, having spent the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons at Duke as an assistant coach. During her first stint at Duke, the Blue Devils compiled 63 victories and made a trip to the 2006 NCAA championship game.
Currently in her second stint with Duke, Jackson has aided the Blue Devils to a 97-41 overall record, the 2025 ACC Tournament title and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2024 NCAA Sweet 16 and 2025 NCAA Elite Eight. Under her guidance, Toby Fournier turned in a sensational freshman season en route to being tapped the 2025 ACC Rookie of the Year while earning spots on the All-ACC First Team, ACC All-Freshman Team and Birmingham 2 Region All-Tournament Team.
Fournier led Duke in scoring, field goal percentage, field goals, three-point percentage and free throws while ranking second in rebound average, defensive rebounds and blocks and third in offensive and total rebounds. She concluded the season ranked No. 2 on the Duke freshman charts in free throw attempts (169), No. 3 in 20-point games (9), No. 4 in free throws (110) and three point percentage (.429), No. 5 in points (462) and field goals (173), No. 6 in offensive rebounds (76), No. 7 in field goal attempts (329), No. 8 in blocks (39), tied for eighth in double-figure scoring games (22), No. 9 in total rebounds (186) and No. 10 in scoring (13.4) and defensive rebounds (110).
Jackson has also helped coach six players – Jadyn Donovan (2025 ACC All-Defensive Team), Ashlon Jackson (2025 All-ACC Second Team), Oluchi Okananwa (2024 ACC Sixth Player of the Year, ACC All-Freshman Team), Reigan Richardson (2024 All-ACC Second Team), Celeste Taylor (2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, All-ACC First Team, ACC All-Defensive Team) and Shayeann Day-Wilson (2022 ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC All-Freshman Team) – to major conference honors.
One of the main architects of Duke’s stout defense, Jackson has helped the Blue Devils feature one of the nation’s stalwart defenses the past three seasons. In 2024-25, Duke boasted the nation’s No. 4 defensive rating (72.7) and ranked 10th in opponent points per possession (0.69), per HerHoopStats. The Blue Devils held 32 opponents below their respective season scoring averages and limited 15 teams to 50 points or less, including five foes to fewer than 40. Duke also held its opponents to single digits in 35 quarters and forced 44 shot clock violations during the year.
The 2023-24 campaign saw the Blue Devils hold 33 of 34 opponents below their respective season scoring averages and lead the ACC in two categories - scoring defense and blocks. Duke also checked in at No. 2 in field goal percentage defense, rebounding defense and rebounding margin. Nationally, the Blue Devils’ defense checked in at No. 4 nationally per HerHoopStats, while ranking sixth in the NCAA in rejections and in the top 30 in both field goal percentage defense and rebounding margin.
In 2022-23, Duke ranked third in the NCAA in scoring defense (51.0) and 10th in field goal percentage defense (35.2). The team held each of its opponents below their season scoring average, including 17 to 50 points or less.
Jackson returned to Durham after serving as an assistant coach at Miami from 2015-20, aiding the Hurricanes to four NCAA Tournament appearances. This stretch for the Canes included an overall record of 109-53 and four straight 20-plus win seasons. The Hurricanes also advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on their home court twice (2017 and 2019).
Additionally, two players under Jackson’s tutelage - Adrienne Motely (2017) and Beatrice Mompremier (2020) - were drafted to the WNBA while five Hurricanes - Erykah Davenport, Emese Hof, Mompremier, Motley and Jessica Thomas - earned a total of six All-ACC accolades. Jackson also helped coach two other players in Mydea Gray and Kelsey Marshall to ACC All-Freshman Team distinction.
Following the 2010-11 season, Jackson joined the Rutgers coaching staff and helped guide the Scarlet Knights to a trio of postseason appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament. In 2014-15, the team advanced to the second round for the first time since 2011. Jackson’s first two years at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights also signed the nation’s third-ranked recruiting class.
Jackson was the head coach at Washington from 2007-11. While with the Huskies, she signed a number of talented recruiting classes, including the 2008 recruiting haul that was ranked No. 11 in the nation.
In her first two seasons at Duke, Jackson helped land the No. 2 recruiting class in 2006 and No. 2 class in 2007. The Blue Devils won 31 contests in 2006 and advanced to the NCAA National Championship game. The following season, Duke became just the 14th team in NCAA history to register an undefeated regular season (29-0) and finished the year as the No. 1 ranked team in the final Associated Press poll.
Jackson also coached three Blue Devil All-America selections in Alison Bales, Monique Currie and Lindsey Harding during her two seasons in Durham. Duke featured three WNBA Draft selections in 2006 – Currie (No. 3), Mistie Bass (No. 21) and Jessica Foley (No. 38) – along with two selections in 2007 – Harding (No. 1) and Bales (No. 9).
Prior to her two-year stint at Duke, Jackson spent five seasons at UCLA, where she was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2000-05. In her time with the Bruins, Jackson helped the program sign a pair of top-10 recruiting classes and ink four McDonald’s and/or WBCA All-Americans. UCLA made the NCAA Tournament in 2004, its first appearance in four years.
After her three seasons at VCU, Jackson spent one year as an assistant coach at Stanford University, working under another Hall of Fame coach, Tara VanDerveer, at one of the nation’s most tradition-rich programs. The Cardinal made the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Jackson’s lone season in Palo Alto, Calif.
Following the 1996-97 season at VCU, Jackson spent the summer playing professionally in the WNBA in its inaugural season. She was the ninth overall pick in the draft and played in 28 games that season for the Phoenix Mercury. The Mercury won the Western Conference Championship under head coach Cheryl Miller. Jackson averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds but was unable to continue her career due to injury.
Jackson began her coaching career as an assistant at Virginia Commonwealth University, just one year after graduating from college. She worked for the Rams from 1996-99.
Jackson played for Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer at the University of Iowa from 1990-1995. During her time as a Hawkeye, Jackson averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game and helped lead Iowa to four final top-25 rankings. In 1993, the two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honoree helped lead the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten Regular Season title and NCAA Final Four, earning Mideast Regional All-Tournament Team honors in the process. She graduated from Iowa in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in media studies and film, emphasizing in television production and editing.
Originally from Salisbury, Md., Jackson scored 3,108 points in her career at Mardela Springs High School.
Jackson is a coaching veteran with nearly three decades of experience, including four as a head coach. She makes Durham, N.C., home for a second time, having spent the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons at Duke as an assistant coach. During her first stint at Duke, the Blue Devils compiled 63 victories and made a trip to the 2006 NCAA championship game.
Currently in her second stint with Duke, Jackson has aided the Blue Devils to a 97-41 overall record, the 2025 ACC Tournament title and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2024 NCAA Sweet 16 and 2025 NCAA Elite Eight. Under her guidance, Toby Fournier turned in a sensational freshman season en route to being tapped the 2025 ACC Rookie of the Year while earning spots on the All-ACC First Team, ACC All-Freshman Team and Birmingham 2 Region All-Tournament Team.
Fournier led Duke in scoring, field goal percentage, field goals, three-point percentage and free throws while ranking second in rebound average, defensive rebounds and blocks and third in offensive and total rebounds. She concluded the season ranked No. 2 on the Duke freshman charts in free throw attempts (169), No. 3 in 20-point games (9), No. 4 in free throws (110) and three point percentage (.429), No. 5 in points (462) and field goals (173), No. 6 in offensive rebounds (76), No. 7 in field goal attempts (329), No. 8 in blocks (39), tied for eighth in double-figure scoring games (22), No. 9 in total rebounds (186) and No. 10 in scoring (13.4) and defensive rebounds (110).
Jackson has also helped coach six players – Jadyn Donovan (2025 ACC All-Defensive Team), Ashlon Jackson (2025 All-ACC Second Team), Oluchi Okananwa (2024 ACC Sixth Player of the Year, ACC All-Freshman Team), Reigan Richardson (2024 All-ACC Second Team), Celeste Taylor (2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, All-ACC First Team, ACC All-Defensive Team) and Shayeann Day-Wilson (2022 ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC All-Freshman Team) – to major conference honors.
One of the main architects of Duke’s stout defense, Jackson has helped the Blue Devils feature one of the nation’s stalwart defenses the past three seasons. In 2024-25, Duke boasted the nation’s No. 4 defensive rating (72.7) and ranked 10th in opponent points per possession (0.69), per HerHoopStats. The Blue Devils held 32 opponents below their respective season scoring averages and limited 15 teams to 50 points or less, including five foes to fewer than 40. Duke also held its opponents to single digits in 35 quarters and forced 44 shot clock violations during the year.
The 2023-24 campaign saw the Blue Devils hold 33 of 34 opponents below their respective season scoring averages and lead the ACC in two categories - scoring defense and blocks. Duke also checked in at No. 2 in field goal percentage defense, rebounding defense and rebounding margin. Nationally, the Blue Devils’ defense checked in at No. 4 nationally per HerHoopStats, while ranking sixth in the NCAA in rejections and in the top 30 in both field goal percentage defense and rebounding margin.
In 2022-23, Duke ranked third in the NCAA in scoring defense (51.0) and 10th in field goal percentage defense (35.2). The team held each of its opponents below their season scoring average, including 17 to 50 points or less.
Jackson returned to Durham after serving as an assistant coach at Miami from 2015-20, aiding the Hurricanes to four NCAA Tournament appearances. This stretch for the Canes included an overall record of 109-53 and four straight 20-plus win seasons. The Hurricanes also advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on their home court twice (2017 and 2019).
Additionally, two players under Jackson’s tutelage - Adrienne Motely (2017) and Beatrice Mompremier (2020) - were drafted to the WNBA while five Hurricanes - Erykah Davenport, Emese Hof, Mompremier, Motley and Jessica Thomas - earned a total of six All-ACC accolades. Jackson also helped coach two other players in Mydea Gray and Kelsey Marshall to ACC All-Freshman Team distinction.
Following the 2010-11 season, Jackson joined the Rutgers coaching staff and helped guide the Scarlet Knights to a trio of postseason appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament. In 2014-15, the team advanced to the second round for the first time since 2011. Jackson’s first two years at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights also signed the nation’s third-ranked recruiting class.
Jackson was the head coach at Washington from 2007-11. While with the Huskies, she signed a number of talented recruiting classes, including the 2008 recruiting haul that was ranked No. 11 in the nation.
In her first two seasons at Duke, Jackson helped land the No. 2 recruiting class in 2006 and No. 2 class in 2007. The Blue Devils won 31 contests in 2006 and advanced to the NCAA National Championship game. The following season, Duke became just the 14th team in NCAA history to register an undefeated regular season (29-0) and finished the year as the No. 1 ranked team in the final Associated Press poll.
Jackson also coached three Blue Devil All-America selections in Alison Bales, Monique Currie and Lindsey Harding during her two seasons in Durham. Duke featured three WNBA Draft selections in 2006 – Currie (No. 3), Mistie Bass (No. 21) and Jessica Foley (No. 38) – along with two selections in 2007 – Harding (No. 1) and Bales (No. 9).
Prior to her two-year stint at Duke, Jackson spent five seasons at UCLA, where she was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2000-05. In her time with the Bruins, Jackson helped the program sign a pair of top-10 recruiting classes and ink four McDonald’s and/or WBCA All-Americans. UCLA made the NCAA Tournament in 2004, its first appearance in four years.
After her three seasons at VCU, Jackson spent one year as an assistant coach at Stanford University, working under another Hall of Fame coach, Tara VanDerveer, at one of the nation’s most tradition-rich programs. The Cardinal made the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Jackson’s lone season in Palo Alto, Calif.
Following the 1996-97 season at VCU, Jackson spent the summer playing professionally in the WNBA in its inaugural season. She was the ninth overall pick in the draft and played in 28 games that season for the Phoenix Mercury. The Mercury won the Western Conference Championship under head coach Cheryl Miller. Jackson averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds but was unable to continue her career due to injury.
Jackson began her coaching career as an assistant at Virginia Commonwealth University, just one year after graduating from college. She worked for the Rams from 1996-99.
Jackson played for Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer at the University of Iowa from 1990-1995. During her time as a Hawkeye, Jackson averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game and helped lead Iowa to four final top-25 rankings. In 1993, the two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honoree helped lead the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten Regular Season title and NCAA Final Four, earning Mideast Regional All-Tournament Team honors in the process. She graduated from Iowa in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in media studies and film, emphasizing in television production and editing.
Originally from Salisbury, Md., Jackson scored 3,108 points in her career at Mardela Springs High School.
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