Dawn Thornton is going to be at Alabama A&M for a while.
The second-year Bulldogs women’s basketball coach has signed a three-year contract extension, the school announced on Wednesday.
“Coach Dawn Thornton has brought a new era of excellence to Alabama A&M women’s basketball. Her commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court, her strategic acumen, and her passion for HBCU athletics have made an immediate impact. Extending her contract reflects our confidence in her leadership and our shared vision for sustained success,” athletic director Paul Bryant said.
In her first season at Alabama A&M, Thornton guided Alabama A&M to a 21-11 overall record, including a 14-4 mark inside the Southwestern Athletic Conference, along with a trip to the WNIT.
The 20-win season marked the first-ever for the Bulldogs since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1999 and just the fifth time it happened in program history.
In addition, it also marked the first 20-win season for the veteran head coach.
“I’m truly honored to continue my journey at Alabama A&M University. This extension is bigger than basketball. It’s about impact, legacy, and purpose,” Thornton said in a statement. “Every day I’m reminded that coaching is about more than winning games. It’s about shaping women into leaders, dreamers, and world changers. I’m thankful for the trust, the support, and the belief in what we are building here.”
