Coach Jackie Devane enters her first year as the Head Women's Basketball Coach here at West Virginia Wesleyan College.  She is a graduate of Delaware State University and has coached at both Cheyney University and Delaware State during her 15 years as a collegiate head coach.  

DeVane began her coaching career at Cheyney, where she led the Lady Wolves to their first 20-win season in 10 years. From Cheyney, DeVane was hired as the head coach at Delaware State, where she earned MEAC Coach of the Year honors. In addition, she coached the men’s basketball team for the final three games of their season and the conference tournament. In 2000, DeVane accepted the head coaching position at Monmouth University where she compiled an overall record of 75-57, made an appearance in the NEC finals, won the most games (18) since Monmouth joined the NEC, and set a school record with four consecutive winning seasons.

DeVane left coaching in 2005 reducing her time away from home to raise her daughter Kiki in a more stable environment. Kiki is now a student-athlete at Bethune-Cookman University. In Houston, DeVane stayed active in the game by coaching AAU and helping young athletes move on to college. During her career, DeVane has served on the Board of Directors of both the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association and the Black Coaches’ Association.

DeVane earned a bachelor’s degree from Delaware State, a master’s from Penn State, and has completed doctoral work at Temple University. DeVane was a four-year letter winner and captain at Delaware State and led the team in rebounding three years. She pulled down a school-record 28 rebounds in one game her freshman year, and was inducted into the DSU Hall of Fame in 1997.