Jackson named women's head coach as he leads Scranton basketball programs into a new era

DUNMORE, Pa. – Penn State Scranton Athletics recently named current head men's basketball coach Troy Jackson to the lead role for the women's program after a successful season with the Lions.  Jackson will now lead both basketball programs at Penn State Scranton bringing with him years of experience as a coach, player and educator, including the last two years with Scranton student-athletes.  

In his first year as head coach Jackson improved the Lions conference win percentage by 110% from the previous year, ending season 8-10 in PSUAC play with starting senior guard Jaiden Wiggins being named 1st Team All Conference and USCAA All American. The squad also saw improvements off the court with an improved retention rate and team culture.  

Before joining the Scranton Lions, Jackson served as head coach at Bryant Stratton Rochester, a division 1 USCAA member school, where he saw success and prior to that, Jackson played professional basketball for 12 years overseas and in the states, earning five professional titles and three MVP's. He was a top player in the SWAC playing for Alcorn State, leading in minutes and points per game during his two seasons with the Braves. As a junior he led the Braves in steals, assists and rebounds putting his name in the record books for most points in a single season.

Jackson was instrumental in the development of an expansion team in the ABA (American Basketball Association) when he served as CEO of the Las Vegas Dream in 2022 and now looks to bring pro ball home to Scranton as he leads Scranton Dream, a professional team that will play in the Maximum Basketball League starting this fall.  

Jackson's resume also includes head coach of the Rochester Razorsharks, a PBL (Premier Basketball League) team in upstate New York where he once served as a feature player leading the franchise to four championships, three-straight as a player and one as a coach. He embraces the challenge of leading the women's team along with the men's squad at Penn State Scranton into a new era of basketball in the area.