Head Coach
Dana Austin


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Dana Austin is entering her ninth season at the helm of the women's basketball program at Jacksonville State University. She has guided the Gamecocks through the transition from Division II to Division I basketball and has compiled an overall record of 92-130.
Although Austin does not have an overwhelming winning record, JSU has seen much success in the Atlantic Sun Conference under her leadership. The Gamecocks have found themselves in the conference championship game two years since the move to Division I and JSU has won six post-season games over the past five years. In fact, Jax State has won at least its first conference tournament game every year it has played in the tournament, except for one (2000-01).

In the 1999-2001 A-Sun Tournament, JSU won its first round game against Jacksonville University, 71-62. The Gamecocks, then lost to eventual champion Georgia State, 81-69.

At the end of the 1998-99 season, JSU found itself in a perfect position to win the conference title, but simply ran out of gas, after an exciting overtime win against Campbell, 93-89 and a win over Samford, 65-64 with a last second shot. Jax State ended the season with an overall record of 15-14.

Austin led the Gamecocks to finish the 1997-98 season with an even 14-14 mark and into the conference tournament for the second year in a row, while falling only to Florida International, who also won the championship.

During the 1997-98 season, the Gamecocks posted their first winning season at the Division I level, with a 15-14 record. JSU was even more impressive in conference play finishing with an 11-5 record, including an undefeated 8-0 mark at home, in its first season as full members of the A-Sun. Jax State finished second in the conference, behind Florida International, in the regular season and in the conference tournament. That year, JSU was pre-season picked to finish ninth.

Austin was named the 1996-97 TAAC Coach-of-the-Year, for her efforts.

However, Austin has been around winning basketball all of her life. As a player at Jax State, Austin earned All-Gulf South Conference, All-Tournament and All-Region honors all four years. Austin was named the GSC Co-Freshman-of-the-Year, along with her twin sister Jana McGinnis, who is the head softball coach at JSU. Austin was also named the GSU Player-of-the-Year and earned the Commissioner's Trophy her senior season (1991).
Also a 1991 Kodak All-American, Austin is the all-time leading scorer in Gamecock history with 2,128 points. She also holds school records for free throw shooting (594-770 for 77.1 percent).

She averaged 17.9 points per game during her career at JSU and 4.4 rebounds per game. As a senior, Austin reached double-figures in every game and finished the season averaging 21.3 points per game.

She led the Gamecocks to a GSC Championship and a Regional Championship in 1991.

At Spring Garden High School, Austin and her sister helped their team to a 32-1 record and the 1987 Alabama Class 1A State Title. She was selected as the Co-Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Austin was also named All-County, All-Area, All-State and was an Honorable Mention High School All-American while at Spring Garden.

Austin began her coaching career in 1991 as a graduate assistant for the women's basketball team at JSU. She then served as the head women's basketball coach at White Plains High School from 1992-93. While there, she guided a team which finished 1-20 the previous season to a 13-11 mark during her only season at the prep level.

Austin coached the volleyball team at White Plains as they were in the state playoffs. The Wildcats finished eighth in the state. She took over the Gamecocks on September 1, 1993.

Austin earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from JSU in 1991 and her Master's Degree in Physical Education in 1992.

She, along with her sister Jana, are the only two female basketball players to have their jersey numbers retired in Jacksonville State University history. Austin was named the 1993 JSU Young Alumnus of the Year. She and her husband, Ricky Austin, live in Piedmont with their son Riley.

Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Appearances
2000-01 9-19 First Round L, Samford 60, JSU 57
1999-2000 9-19 First Round W, JSU 71, Jacksonville University 62
Quarterfinals L, Georgia State 81, JSU 69

1998-99 15-14 Quarterfinals W, JSU 65, Samford 64
Semifinals W, JSU 93, Campbell 89 (ot)
Championship Game L, UCF 80, JSU 59

1997-98 14-14 Quarterfinals W, JSU 75, Campbell 68
Semifinals L, Florida International 82, JSU 44

1996-97 15-14 Quarterfinals W, JSU 64, Mercer 52
Semifinals W, JSU 69, Campbell 67
Championship Game L, Florida International 91, JSU 71

Head Coach Dana Austin
Personal Data
Full Name: Dana Bright Austin
Date of Birth: June 6, 1969 in Gadsden, Alabama
Married to: Ricky Austin
Children: Riley Lane, born September 16, 1999
Native of: Piedmont, Alabama
Education: Jacksonville State University, 1991 (B.S.); JSU, 1992 (M.S.)

Eight Years at JSU:
2000-01 9-19 .321
1999-00 9-19 .321
1998-99 15-14 .517
1997-98 14-14 .500
1996-97 15-14 .517
1995-96 8-18 .308
1994-95 12-15 .444
1993-94 10-17 .370
Totals 92-130 .414

Coaching Honors
1996-97 Trans America Athletic Conference "Coach of the Year"

Playing Experience
High School: Spring Garden High School
Basketball, 1981-87
Softball, 1987
A-Class and Women's Majors Softball, 13 years
College: Jacksonville State University
Selected as the South Region "Most Valuable Player" in 1991
Named 1987 "Co-Freshman of the Year" along with her sister, Jana Bright McGinnis

Austin's Statistics at JSU

Year G FG-FGA 3FG-3FGA FTM-FTA REB PF A ST PTS
1990-91 30 199-401 32-85 209-259 124 66 137 92 639
1989-90 30 191-396 13-40 134-178 119 62 107 51 529
1988-89 30 177-362 13-33 110-136 136 73 153 70 477
1987-88 29 163-378 16-49 141-197 145 63 114 60 483
Totals 119 730-1537 74-207 594-770 524 264 511 273 2128

Coach Austin was a 5-6 guard who started four seasons and led the Lady Gamecocks to a 98-22 record and four trips to the NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament.Averaged 21.3 points per game her senior season.