Coach Jack to return next season

Following IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack’s worst record in Bloomington, Athletic Director Fred Glass said the five-year coach will return next season. Jack’s current contract is good through June 30, 2013.

“Absolutely Felisha will be back. I have a great deal of confidence in her, and we’re looking forward to having her back in a new season,” Glass said.

Since arriving at IU, Jack has compiled a record of 81-75, with appearances to the WNIT in 2007, ’08 and ’09. She has never reached the NCAA Tournament with the Hoosiers.

Despite the leadership of the seniors — Jack’s first recruiting class — the team struggled this past season, posting a 9-19 record, Jack’s worst at IU.

Early injuries to the Hoosiers’ frontcourt reduced depth in the post and left IU without a strong inside presence throughout most of the season.

“If Sasha’s (Chaplin) healthy we’re a different team. If Georgie (Jones) didn’t have knee surgery before the season starts we’re a different team,” Jack said. “So our hope is to get those guys healthy and really jump on the postseason right away.”

At the conclusion of this season the Hoosiers ranked ninth in scoring, last in points allowed, 10th in rebounding margin, last in assist/turnover ratio and second in steals, according to Big Ten rankings.

The Hoosiers lost four seniors at the end of the season, including leading scorer Jori Davis, who left Bloomington eighth on IU’s all-time scoring list.

Jack has signed two guards to the incoming recruiting class with room to sign six more players.

“I just believe in her,” Glass said of Jack. “You take the whole body of work — and of course that includes wins and losses — and we had more of the latter and less of the former than we wanted to this year, but I believe in her approach to the game.

“I believe in her attitude. I believe in what she’s doing. So she’ll be back and so we’re real excited about it.”