Chessie Jackson

Chessie Jackson is the head coach of the women’s basketball team at The College of New Jersey, entering her eighth year in charge for the 2024-25 season. Under her leadership, the Lions have consistently been among the top competitors in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, having reached the NJAC semifinals each year of her tenure and appearing in four NJAC championship games. In her first season (2017-18), Jackson guided TCNJ to a conference title and advanced to the NCAA Division III second round — a program milestone — earning both NJAC Coach of the Year and D3hoops.com Atlantic Region Coach of the Year honors. Her teams have compiled strong overall and conference records during her time at the helm, reflecting sustained success and competitive excellence. Before taking the head coach position at TCNJ, Jackson served as an assistant coach at Princeton University, where she contributed to recruiting, scouting, and on-court player development. She also held assistant coaching roles at Smith College and the University of Rochester. A standout player herself, Jackson was a four-year starter and team captain at Williams College, ranking among the school’s all-time leaders in scoring and rebounding, earning first-team All-NESCAC honors and MVP recognition during her collegiate career. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Williams College and a master’s in exercise and sports studies from Smith College, combining her academic background with a deep commitment to mentoring student-athletes.