Staff Directory
- Positon:
- Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator
- Alma Mater:
- Mississippi '17, Arkansas '19
- Email:
Jalen Powell joined the Ohio State staff as an assistant coach before the beginning of the 2021-22 season and added recruiting coordinator to her duties at the start of the 2024-25 season.
The Buckeyes won a share of the Big Ten regular season championship in 2021-22, finishing the conference schedule with a 14-4 record. Ohio State did not lose to an unranked team during Big Ten play. OSU went on to earn a six-seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017. OSU earned three ranked wins during the 2021-22 season, first beating No. 12/11 Maryland at home before taking care of business at No. 21/24 Iowa. The Buckeyes most convincing ranked win came in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at No. 8/9 LSU by a 79-64 margin.
In 2022-23, the Buckeyes made their first NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 30 years and finished with a 28-8 overall record. Ohio State finished as the runner-up in the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 4 seed after completing the largest comeback in conference tournament history in the semifinals (24-point deficit in the third quarter). The Buckeyes were one of three undefeated teams in the country midway through January, posting the best start in program history at 19-0. OSU earned a program-best nine wins against ranked opponents and recorded the most steals (406) in program history. The Buckeyes’ three wins against top-10 opponents is the most since the 1992-93 season. The team generated the largest average home attendance (5,955) since the 2005-06 season. Following the conclusion of the regular season, Cotie McMahon was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year to highlight five All-Big Ten selections. Mikesell was selected 13th overall and first in the second round of the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.
The 2023-24 team captured the program’s first outright regular season Big Ten title since 2009-10, finishing with a 16-2 conference record. OSU strung together 15-consecutive Big Ten wins (undefeated in January and February) for the program’s second-longest conference win streak in history, only trailing the 1984-85 season when Ohio State was 18-0 in conference play. Ohio State earned a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010, playing host for the 14th time in program history and back-to-back seasons. A total of five players were named All-Big Ten, highlighted by Celeste Taylor’s selection as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches. Jacy Sheldon was named All-American by multiple outlets, while McMahon was an honorable mention.
Following the 2023-24 season, two Buckeyes were selected in the WNBA Draft for the first time since the 2018 draft and the third time in program history. Jacy Sheldon was selected fifth overall by the Dallas Wings, becoming the sixth player in program history to be drafted in the first round and the first since Kelsey Mitchell in 2018. Celeste Taylor was selected 15th overall by the Indiana Fever.
Ohio State finished third in the Big Ten in 2024-25 in the conference’s first season with 18 teams. The Buckeyes wrapped up the season with a 26-7 overall record, including four ranked wins, and a 13-5 mark in Big Ten play. Ohio State went undefeated at home (15-0) during the regular season for the first time since 2011-12. The Buckeyes earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, hosting games in the Schottenstein Center for the third-consecutive season and playing host for the 15th time in program history. McMahon was named an AP All-American honorable mention for the second season in a row and was joined by Jaloni Cambridge as honorable mentions for the WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team. Four Buckeyes earned All-Big Ten recognition, highlighted by Jaloni Cambridge’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year honor.
Powell worked in the transfer portal during the offseason, adding Celeste Taylor and Kennedy Cambridge to the Buckeyes’ roster ahead of the 2023-24 season. Powell also recruited the 2024 class, including Ava Watson, Seini Hicks, Ella Hobbs, Ajae Petty and Jaloni Cambridge (the highest recruit in program history since ESPN started tracking rankings in 2007).
Powell came to Columbus after spending the 2020-21 season as an assistant coach at Florida A&M. She coached primarily the guards and wings in addition to serving as the liaison for daily operations such as calendars, individual student-athlete files and meetings with the head coach. Powell also served as the liaison for academics, equipment, admissions, athletic training and housing.
Before her stint in Tallahassee, she worked in New York at Basketball Results in 2019-20. At Basketball Results training facility, Powell assisted with player development, marketing, accounting and finances.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Ohio State family under the leadership of Coach McGuff,” said Powell. “I am extremely grateful and honored for this opportunity that Coach McGuff has given me, and I am looking forward to learning under him and working with a great staff. The passion and pride that is instilled in the culture here at The Ohio State University is very special, and it is something I am proud to be a part of.”
Powell began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas, where she earned her master’s degree in human resources and workforce development in May 2019. She was named to the presidential honor roll following her first year in the graduate program. Arkansas put together a 22-15 season during Powell’s second year on staff, as the Razorbacks made it to the SEC Championship game and earned two wins in the WNIT.
As a graduate assistant coach, Powell dealt with recruiting mail and on-campus visits, assisted with on-court workouts and organized summer camps. She also recorded and analyzed statistical data, accompanied Coach Neighbors to various speaking engagements and organized all male practice players.
Powell received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi in May 2017, where she specialized in education, journalism and recreation. She served as the head manager for four years, where she managed apparel/footwear, helped organize and conduct visits of facilities and campus, and helped coordinate food and team activities.
Growing up on Long Island, Powell is the daughter of Jerry Powell and Carol Havdouglas and has two sisters, Tiffany and Sabrina. Jerry Powell is an NBA trainer who has worked with stars like Paul George, Rajon Rondo, Kyle Kuzma, Miles Bridges and Allen Crabbe.
