Deville begins her second season as a member of the Gannon women’s basketball program in 2015-16. She joins fellow assistant coach Mike Whitling to complete head coach Jim Brunelli’s staff.
“I am excited to have Jessica join our Lady Knight family,” said Brunelli upon her hiring. “It is an honor to coach a former student-athlete from my days at the University of Akron. This is a real special moment. Having coached Jessica as a post player at Akron, she has an intimate knowledge of our system.”
Deville joined Brunelli on the bench in a new role after being a student-athlete from 2004 to 2008 under an Akron coaching staff that included Brunelli and former Gannon head coach Jodi Kest. Deville served as the Zips’ team captain from 2006 to 2008.
“As a former student-athlete myself, I had the privilege of playing under coach Brunelli,” said Deville upon her hiring. “I know his passion and knowledge for the game of basketball is unsurpassable. I am extremely blessed with this opportunity and I am ready to work hard to continue this program's outstanding academic and athletic reputation."
Deville graduated from Akron in 2009 with a bachelor of science in exercise science with a concentration in physiological sciences. Furthering her studies in the field, the Leetonia, Ohio, native obtained a master of education in exercise physiology and adult fitness in 2014. The combination of her playing experience and knowledge of exercise science offers the Lady Knights a great resource.
“Jessica’s coaching and playing experience at various levels coupled with her undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of exercise science will help us immediately in the weight room and on the court,” explained Brunelli. “This offers our program a valuable opportunity. Having someone who has the sincere desire to work hard at this level is a blessing. I really feel that Jessica will fit in perfectly with our student-athletes and coaching staff.”
Deville arrived at Gannon after spending the 2013-14 season as a junior varsity/varsity assistant coach at Leetonia (Ohio) High School. She created and administered a year-round strength program for the student-athletes there. She was named the junior varsity/varsity assistant coach at Cardinal Mooney (Ohio) High School before accepting the position at Gannon.
A graduate of Leetonia High School, Deville earned Northeast Inland District, Division IV Ohio and Columbiana County Player of the Year honors as a senior. She was also named to the All-Ohio and All-Northeast Inland District first teams. She holds the school records for career points (1,742), career rebounds (1,215), career free throws (334), career games played (98), single-season points (562), single-season rebounds (348) and free throws in a game (14).
"I am beyond excited to be a part of the Gannon athletics community. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Coach Brunelli and Coach Whitling at such a remarkable institution,” stated Deville. “It had been a dream of mine to continue my coaching career at the collegiate level. My enthusiasm and love for the game is contagious and I love passing that on to these student-athletes.”
