RICHMOND, Ky. – New Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball head coach Samantha Williams announced two additions to her first staff at EKU.  Matt Thune will serve as associate head coach and Jackie Alexander as assistant coach.
 
"I am really pleased to announce the addition of Matt and Jackie to our EKU family," Williams said.  "In addition to each of them bringing different strengths to the table, Matt and Jackie are exceptional people who will represent the women's basketball program, the university and the community with class."
 
Thune joins the Colonel program after spending last season as an assistant at Binghamton University, an NCAA Division I institution in Binghamton, New York.  The Bearcats were the second-best rebounding team in the America East Conference last season.  They ranked third in blocked shots and fourth in field goal percentage defense.
 
Before joining the Binghamton program, Thune was an assistant at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah for three seasons (2015-18).  He helped WSU to the most wins in program history (23) and a runner-up finish in the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) in 2016.  In 2018, Weber State advanced to the quarterfinals of the WBI.  Thune was the academic coordinator, camp director, social media director and community involvement liaison in addition to his assistant coaching duties.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Matt to the EKU family," said Williams.  "Matt is someone who has worked his way up the ranks with a tremendous work ethic and a willingness to do more than what is asked of him.  His basketball knowledge and ability to connect with student-athletes on and off the court will be a great asset to our program."
 
Thune worked in a variety of roles with the University of Louisville basketball program from 2012 to 2015.  During the 2014-15 season he was the team's video coordinator.  During the summer of 2015, Thune served as the interim assistant coach for recruiting.
 
The Indianapolis, Indiana native earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Indiana University in 2012.  He completed a master's degree in sport administration at the University of Louisville in 2014.
 
Alexander spent the 2018-19 season as the director of operations at the University at Albany.  She also served as an interim assistant coach from August to November 2018.  During that time, she assisted in creating practice plans, conducted on-court instruction, held individual workouts with the guards and managed academics. 
 
Alexander assisted in on-campus recruiting, developed a comprehensive recruiting plan for use by the recruiting coordinator, assisted with scouting reports, served as the budget manager, coordinated all team travel, and served as the team's creative and social media director.
 
"I couldn't be more excited to have one of the best young coaches in the country join our Colonel family," Williams said.  "Jackie's attention to detail, work ethic, and personality were exactly what I was looking for.  Her Kentucky roots are also something that was important in the process.  She is a high character person that will be a tremendous role model for our young women."
 
During the 2017-18 season, Alexander served as the video coordinator at the United States Air Force Academy.  Alexander's experience also includes a stint as an assistant girls' basketball coach (2015-17) at Northwest High School in Clarksville, Tennessee and as an assistant coach with the Clarksville SOL  AAU team (2015-17).
 
The Brodhead, Kentucky native spent one season at West Point (2010-11) before transferring to the University of the Cumberlands where she was a three-year letter-winner on the women's basketball team, a team captain as a junior and a senior, a two-time All-Mid South Conference selection and a two-time NAIA Academic All-American.  During her high school career she was a 1,000-point scorer at Rockcastle County High School and played in the Kentucky/Indiana All-Star series in 2010.
 
Alexander received a bachelor's degree in biology, with minors in Spanish and military science, from the University of the Cumberlands in 2014.  She was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant through EKU Army ROTC into the United States Army upon her graduation.
 
Alexander was an active duty Army officer from 2014 to June of 2017, reaching the rank of captain.  She served at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and in Iraq.  From February to November 2016, Alexander was the executive officer for Zulu Company.  She ensured the functionality and readiness of the unit in a deployment to Baghdad in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.  She coordinated training and movement of personnel and supplies throughout the area of operation in order to ensure mission accomplishments.  Alexander led the redeployment operations of 400 personnel, 60 pieces of heavy machinery and $600,000 worth of supplies.
 
Williams was chosen as EKU's new head coach at the end of March, after she helped the University of Louisville reach eight straight NCAA Tournaments, including this year's Elite 8.  In eight seasons with Williams as an assistant coach, the Cardinals made two Final Four appearances, four trips to the Elite 8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 six times.
 
Fans can get a head start on the 2019-20 season by placing a non-refundable $40 deposit on season tickets that will be included in the overall price of the package.  For questions or to place your deposit, call Alex Harrison at (859) 358-9272 or the EKUSports ticket office at 844-3-GOBIGE.