(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University has named Surina R. Dixon – a seasoned basketball coach with over 20 years of coaching experience at the NCAA Division I and II levels – as the university’s head women’s basketball coach.
Dixon, a Mississippi native, comes to Jackson State from Southwind High School in Memphis where she compiled a 67-20 overall record over three seasons as head basketball coach. From 2005 to 2007, Dixon was the head coach for Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. Under her leadership, Lane’s Lady Dragons achieved a school record by scoring 119 points in a single game while holding the opponent to only 36 points. Lane’s women’s basketball team was competitive in the classroom as well as on the court. During Dixon’s tenure, the Lady Dragons posted one of the highest grade point averages and most wins in over a decade.
Prior to Lane College, Dixon spent four seasons as the head coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). While at UMES, she recorded three straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament first round wins, and her Lady Hawks teams graduated at a 99 percent rate.
Before UMES, Dixon served as the head assistant coach at Arkansas State University, where she helped lead the Lady Indians to their best start in school history and their first top 25 national ranking. Dixon also worked as the assistant coach at Texas Southern University, where she helped guide the Lady Tigers to their best finish in over a decade.
Before joining the collegiate ranks, Dixon was a successful coach in the Memphis school district. At Germantown Middle School, she won eight district and six county championships and a run of five undefeated seasons. While at Germantown, she posted a 165-29 overall record.
While in transition from coaching middle school to college, Dixon had the opportunity to both play and coach two seasons of professional basketball with the WNBA Memphis Blues. She was known as a crafty and intelligent player with a keen understanding of the game. Her court vision, along with her drive and determination, made her one of the best point guards in the league. She also worked as a coach and instructor at numerous camps, including the 1998 WNBA Utah Starzz’s free agent camp and the 2000 WNBA Houston Comets training camp.
Success in education, athletics and leadership are trademarks of Dixon’s philosophy. At Rosedale High School in Rosedale, Miss., Dixon captained both the basketball and track teams. Aside from her athletic accomplishments, Dixon is most proud of her academic achievements. The Mississippi Valley State University star player and alumnus graduated with honors. She went on to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Mississippi. She was inducted into the Mississippi Valley State Hall of Fame on April 9, 2010.
Dixon is a member of several professional and national organizations, including the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, the Black Coaches Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the National Education Association and Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities. Dixon is married to Harold Dixon.