Jena Jessup

Biography

Jena Jessup is in her seventh season as the Director of Operations on Kansas Coach Brandon Schneider’s staff after returning to Kansas prior to the 2020-21 season. In her role, Jessup coordinates all aspects of team travel and meals, oversees student managers and serves as the camp coordinator for Brandon Schneider Basketball Camps. She is also women’s basketball’s liaison to other departments in athletics, as well as the housing department on campus. Kansas has reached the postseason in four of the past five seasons, including two NCAA Tournament appearances and claiming the 2023 WNIT Championship. Jessup has assisted Schneider – the 2022 Big 12 Coach of the Year – as he guided the program to three-straight 20-win seasons for the first time since 2011-13. KU finished 25-11 in 2022-23, marking the sixth time in program history to reach 25 wins, and the first time since 1996-97. In her second season at Kansas, Jessup assisted as the Jayhawks experienced a breakthrough campaign. Kansas finished the season with a record of 21-10, marking the program’s first 20-win season since 2010-11, and the Jayhawks had 20 wins during the regular season for the first time since 1999-2000. KU capped off the season with a berth in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, earning the No. 8 seed in the Spokane Regional and defeating Georgia Tech, 77-58, in the opening round before falling to eventual regional champion Stanford in the second round. Prior to Kansas, Jessup served as the Director of Operations for