YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown State Department of Athletics has announced that current Cleveland State women's basketball assistant coach Melissa Jackson will be the next head coach of the Penguin women's basketball program. 

Jackson, who joined the Vikings prior to the 2023-24 season, helped Cleveland State capture its first-ever Horizon League Regular Season Championship, while also helping the Vikings record their third straight 20-win campaign after finishing #HLWBB Tournament play with a 29-5 overall record.

Prior to joining the Vikings, Jackson spent five years as the head coach at Akron, helping the Zips to a pair of postseason appearances and the best winning percentage in program history.