Dodie Dunson named UE Women’s Basketball Associate Head Coach

Dunson brings a wealth of experience to Purple Aces

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville Head women’s basketball Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells has announced the hiring of Dodie Dunson as Associate Head Coach of the Purple Aces.  Dunson officially joins the staff on May 11, 2023.

“I am ecstatic for Dodie Dunson to join our staff as our Associate Head Coach. I have admired Dodie and his work ethic since he was a young assistant at SIUE,” Scherr-Wells exclaimed.  “Dodie has a warmth and energy about him that lights up a room. He is relationship driven and I know he will build strong connections with our student-athletes, within the Evansville community, and with our recruits.”

“Beyond that, he has gained great basketball experience throughout his career and his experience within our conference this past season will help him hit the ground running,” she continued.  “I know our program will continue to make great strides with his addition to our staff!”

Dunson joins the Aces following a season as an assistant coach at UIC where he helped the Flames navigate the transition to the Missouri Valley Conference.  His work at UIC came after a successful season as an assistant at Tulsa that saw the Golden Hurricane record two postseason victories along with an appearance in the second round of the WNIT.

From 2018-21, Dunson enjoyed a successful 3-year tenure on the staff at UAB.  During his three seasons with the squad, the Blazers recorded 56 wins, including back-to-back 20+ win campaigns in his first two years.  The 2018-19 season saw UAB post the second-highest win total in school history, going 26-7 on the way to an appearance in the WNIT Second Round.  During his three seasons, UAB had six all-conference honorees.

“I am very excited and grateful to join Robyn Scherr-Wells’ staff. Coach Scherr-Wells is a proven winner and highly respected in our profession with limitless potential,” Dunson said.  “I am a huge believer in the power of true relationships. I am excited and honored to have the privilege to serve alongside her helping to positively impact lives and elevate the Purple Aces women’s basketball program.”

Prior to UAB, Dunson had a major footprint in the Midwest.  From 2016 through 2018, he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at SIU-Edwardsville where he helped the Cougars earn 31 wins, make back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference tournament appearances and play in the 2018 Women’s Basketball Invitational. Dunson was also instrumental in coaching three all-conference selections.

Previously, Dunson served as the director of basketball operations for both the men’s and women’s teams at Western Illinois (2014-16), as the associate head coach at Wabash Valley College (2013-14), as the Bloomington High School boys varsity coach (2011-13) and as Team Illinois Educational AAU U16 boys associate director (2009-13).

Dunson played his freshman season at Iowa State (2006-07), where he played in all 31 games and averaged 5.2 points, scored 30 three-pointers, the fourth most for a Cyclone rookie, and shot 81.6-percent from the free throw line. Dunson transferred to Vincennes University for one season, helping the Trailblazers to a 28-6 record, and was named as the MVP of the National Junior College Association of American (NJCAA) District 3 Tournament.  Dunson finished his career at Bradley University, playing the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons, after missing all but two games of the 2009-10 season due to injury. He tallied 692 points in 68 games for 10.1 points per game and was named a 2011 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award finalist.

He established the Dodie Dunson II Foundation in 2019, which was created to inspire, motivate and provide resources for people in at risk youth communities.  Dunson graduated from Bradley with a degree in social work in 2011 and earned his master’s degree in physical education and coaching pedagogy from SIUE in 2017.