Dayton grad Giacone will start career on former coach’s staff

“I am very excited and grateful to be joining coach Green, her staff and the Illinois women’s basketball program,” Giacone said in a press release. “Playing under coach Green the past six years has helped me grow, not only as a player but as an individual. I trust her leadership, passion and competitiveness. I am excited to step into this role and help Illinois women’s basketball reach future success!”

“I am thrilled to announce that Jenna will be joining our Illini family,” Green said in a press release. “After coaching Jenna for six years, I know there is no one better for this position. She fully understands what it takes to be successful in our culture and will be an unbelievable resource for our players. Jenna is a winner, a relentless worker, and will make an immediate impact on our program.”

Green’s staff also includes assistant coaches Ryan Gensler and Deantoine Beasley, who coached with Green last season at Dayton and Calamity McEntire, who worked with Green at Dayton for four seasons before taking a job with the Texas Longhorns. Maya Solomon, UD’s director of basketball operations the last two seasons, also followed Green to Illinois to take the same job.

Illinois also announced the hiring of Emily Durr as the director of recruiting operations on Wednesday. Durr worked as an administrative associate at Dayton last season.

Giacone, who scored 975 points in five seasons on the court with the Flyers, will start her coaching career about a month after receiving an invitation to training camp with the Seattle Storm, of the WNBA.

Giacone and former teammate Erin Whalen both participated in WNBA training camps in April but were cut before the season began. Whalen trained with the Indiana Fever.