University of Akron decides Melissa Jackson won't be back as its women's basketball coach
University of Akron women's basketball coach Melissa Jackson won't be brought back for a sixth season, UA director of intercollegiate athletics Charles Guthrie said in a statement issued Tuesday.
"The University of Akron has decided it will not extend the contract of women’s basketball coach Melissa Jackson when it expires on June 30, 2023," Guthrie said. "We wish Coach Jackson well moving forward."
In response to a request to interview Guthrie about the decision, a UA spokesperson said the university had no additional comment. The Akron Beacon Journal is filing a public records request for Jackson's employment records.
Guthrie's statement came after the Beacon Journal had asked him and Jackson about the coach's contractual status Saturday, when the women's team played at Kent State University. UA suffered an 87-46 loss to KSU.
"The only thing I'll say on it is I'm very disappointed in their decision," Jackson said after the game when asked whether UA had informed her last week her contract would not be renewed.
"But I got a great group of girls, and we've already accomplished a lot this year. I'm just focused on them right now, and we've still got a lot to accomplish. That's where my focus is."
Jackson had no further comment. She is in the final season of her initial five-year contract.
Guthrie declined to comment on the subject Saturday during the game at KSU, saying, "I don't speak about any matters personnel related."
Three days later, the Beacon Journal received Guthrie's statement after seeking comment from UA's senior director of external communications.
Akron is not retaining Jackson despite her recent track record of producing winning records.
UA is 15-10 overall and 6-8 in the Mid-American Conference this season. For the fourth time in Jackson's five seasons at the helm, the Zips have won at least 15 games.
UA was 17-12 last season, one of two times it finished with a winning record in Jackson's first four seasons. The Zips have four regular-season games left this year. Then they will begin MAC Tournament play the second week of March.
Jackson is 70-66 in her four-plus seasons at Akron.
Prior to becoming UA's head coach, Jackson, a 2004 University of Richmond graduate, spent 10 years as a Zips assistant coach under Jodi Kest. Jackson's tenure as a UA assistant included six years as associate head coach. She had previously spent four years as an assistant at Delaware.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Melissa Jackson out as Akron women's basketball coach at end of season
