Jenna Knudson named Lady Panthers assistant coach

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Drury women’s basketball head coach Kaci Bailey has named Jenna Knudson as an assistant coach for the Lady Panthers.
 
Knudson was an assistant coach at Quincy last year and served as a graduate assistant coach for the Hawks from 2020-22. Working with Bailey during the last two seasons, she was part of a coaching staff that transformed Quincy from a 15^th place team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference to a squad that made its first postseason appearance in seven years.
 
“Being able to bring someone with me that I’ve worked with for the last two years is special,” said Bailey, who was named Drury’s head coach on April 5. “Coach Knudson is a tireless recruiter and, above all, is dedicated to our players. Her ability to build relationships with our students is priceless. I’m thankful for her commitment to myself and our program.”  
 
Knudson came to Quincy after a prolific playing career at Embry-Riddle (Ariz.). She was a three-time All-California Pacific Conference selection and set a program record in steals. In her senior year, her 3.1 steals per game ranked eighth nationally in the NAIA and she was second in the conference in assists, averaging 3.7. Knudson was in Embry-Riddle’s inaugural signing class and part of a program that went 81-29 during its first four seasons in existence.  
 
Originally from Sterling, Colorado, Knudson was a four-time Academic All-Conference honoree at Embry-Riddle and was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete twice. In high school, she was the Class 3A Player of the Year in Colorado, a three-time All-State selection, and she helped Sterling High School to a state runner-up finish in 2015 and a third place finish in 2014.
 
Knudson earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Quincy University and a business degree from Embry-Riddle.
 
The Drury Lady Panthers will enter the 2023-24 season with an all-time record of 607-118, and their winning percentage of .837 is the best mark in all of NCAA-II women’s basketball. Drury has won 12 conference championships, five regional titles and has advanced to the Final Four three times. This year, they reached the NCAA-II Tournament for the 20th time in the program’s 23-year history, finished 31-2, and ended the year ranked eighth in the final NCAA-II coaches’ poll.
 
 
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