Jody Craig joined the Monmouth Women's Basketball staff in June 2017, and assumed head coaching responsibilities on December 8, 2017.
In 2019-20, Craig led Monmouth to its seventh consecutive MAAC Quarterfinals appearance. The Hawks ended the season ranked 35th in the nation for scoring defense, allowing just 57.5 points per game. The team defeated #7 Iona in the first round, 69-60. Prior to that, the Hawks had several key wins, beginning with Manhattan in the MAAC opener on December 17. Sophomore Lucy Thomas hit the game-winning shot with 4.2 seconds left in overtime for a 62-60 win. On January 14, Monmouth defeated Saint Peter's, 81-67, after shooting 61.5% in the second half. Thomas came up clutch once again on February 8, hitting two free throws in the final 30 seconds to send the team to a win over Saint Peter's, 59-57. Three days later, the Hawks secured a win on the road against Iona, 56-50, as senior Adriana Zelaya had a career game of 14 points. After falling behind by five with 1:50 left, Monmouth ended the game on an 11-0 run. The Hawks secured their last regular season win on February 27, storming back to beat Siena after trailing by 16 points. Under Craig's guidance, senior Alexa Middleton registered eight double-doubles during the season, while sophomore Lucy Thomas posted five. Senior Sierra Green led the team with 11.1 points per game, drilling another 71 three-pointers to move into third all-time (169 total). Senior Rosa Graham ended the season ranking 10th in program history with 271 assists.
During her first full season in 2018-19, Craig led the Hawks to their highest-ever MAAC finish (4th). Monmouth accumulated a 14-17 (9-9 MAAC) overall record and advanced to the MAAC Semifinals for the second time in six seasons. After securing a first round bye, the Hawks defeated Canisius in the MAAC Quarterfinals, 64-53. Junior Sierra Green was named to the All-MAAC Second Team, the first player selected to an All-MAAC Team (non-rookie) in three seasons. Under Craig, Green broke the program record for three-points made in a season (98) and scored the most points in a single game since 2009 (28). Freshman Lucy Thomas was named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team after averaging 9.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. After Monmouth had its best shooting performance since 2014 against Fairfield on Feb. 3 (53.1%), the Hawks topped it in their win over Niagara on Feb. 22, shooting 55.9% on 33-59 from the floor. It was their best shooting percentage since January 2010. Monmouth scored its most points in a regulation game since 2008 with an 88-81 win. The 35-point fourth was the program’s most points scored since the NCAA switched to quarters in 2015-16 (previous high was 28). The Hawks also earned their first win over an A-10 opponent since 2010 against George Washington. After trailing by as many as 14 points in the third quarter against Navy (Dec. 19), the Hawks stormed back to earn a late win, 68-67. Green led the way with 26 points on 8-12 from beyond the arc, matching a program record for three-pointers in a single game. Craig led the Hawks to a 17-point win at Iona (Jan. 4) in the MAAC opener, and the team overcame a nine-point deficit to defeat Canisius (Jan. 24). Two days later against Niagara, the Hawks won by 22 points, the most since 2015. On February 19, Monmouth never trailed in a 20-point win over Saint Peter's (Feb. 19).
After taking over head coaching duties, Craig guided the Hawks to eight wins in 2017-18. Craig and the Hawks advanced to their fifth straight MAAC Quarterfinals after storming back to defeat No. 8 Canisius in the first round (Mar. 1). Trailing by as many as 13 points late in the third quarter, No. 9 seed Monmouth outscored the Golden Griffs 20-6 in the fourth quarter. Craig earned her first win with the Blue & White with a 51-44 victory over Saint Peter's (Jan. 7), outscoring the Peacocks in the final three quarters. The Hawks won their second straight game at Iona (Jan. 13), defeating the Gaels 62-56 behind 17 points from McKinzee Barker. Monmouth later beat Iona again (Jan. 22), earning a 68-56 win after outscoring the Gaels 40-23 in the second half. The team also earned wins against Rider (Feb. 3), Niagara (Feb. 10), Manhattan in overtime (Feb. 12), and Fairfield (Feb. 23).
Craig brings 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to West Long Branch. As a head coach, she compiled a 448-164 record, including a 148-36 record over her final five years.
As the Head Women's Basketball Coach at the community college of Foothill, Craig developed 28 All-State players and transferred 65 student-athletes to NCAA programs.
She won Coast Conference Coach of the Year in each of her last three seasons while guiding the Owls to a perfect 34-0 record in conference play during that span.
In addition to her experience at Foothill College, Craig has coached at the University of Redlands, assisted in a professional development program at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, and was a USA Basketball Regional Skill Development Coach.
CAREER RECORD:
479-217
(22 seasons)
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RECORD AT MONMOUTH:
2017-18Â Â Â Â Â Â 8-14
2018-19Â Â Â Â Â Â 14-17
2019-20Â Â Â Â Â Â 9-22
TOTALÂ Â Â Â Â Â 31-53
