THE HILL | After the most successful season in program history at the NCAA Division I level, Vice President and Director of Athletics
Dr. Paul A. Bryant announced Wednesday a three-year contract extension for head women's basketball coach Dawn Thornton.
"Coach Dawn Thornton has brought a new era of excellence to Alabama A&M women's basketball. Her commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court, her strategic acumen, and her passion for HBCU athletics have made an immediate impact. Extending her contract reflects our confidence in her leadership and our shared vision for sustained success," Bryant said.
In her first season on The Hill, Thornton guided Alabama A&M to a 21-11 overall record, including a 14-4 mark inside the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), along with a trip to the WNIT.
The 20-win season marked the first-ever for the Bulldogs since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1999 and just the fifth time it happened in program history. In addition, it also marked the first 20-win season for the veteran head coach.
"I'm truly honored to continue my journey at Alabama A&M University. This extension is bigger than basketball. It's about impact, legacy, and purpose," Thornton said. "Every day I'm reminded that coaching is about more than winning games. It's about shaping women into leaders, dreamers, and world changers. I'm thankful for the trust, the support, and the belief in what we are building here. The foundation is set, but the mission continues. We're just getting started, and there's still history to make on The Hill. BIG ENERGY always."
Alabama A&M begins its season with a 6 p.m. tip-off against Talladega on Wednesday, before playing host to Ole Miss at 7 p.m. on Friday inside the AAMU Event Center. All games will be streamed on SWAC TV.
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