Coach Courtney Jaco’s path from a scholar-athlete at Windward and USC to the WNBA.

For every current Windward Wildcat dreaming of collegiate success or a career in sports, the journey of Courtney Jaco stands as an inspiring example of the foundation built within our very own halls. From her days dominating the court at Windward to becoming a “rising star” assistant coach at USC, Jaco’s path is a prime example of dedication, adaptability, and the significant impact of relationships.

Jaco’s roots run deep in the Los Angeles basketball scene, and her time at Windward is held in high regard. Jaco followed the guidance of influential figures like head coach Steve Smith, head coach Vanessa Nygaard, and athletic director Tyrone Powell, whom she credits with challenging her and connecting her to the right people. She was a key player on the 2012 Windward State Championship team, leaving an ever-lasting mark before heading just down the road to USC.

At USC, Courtney continued to shine as a player. She put her name in the record books as the program’s most productive 3-point shooter, showcasing her incredible range and accuracy. She also played a major role in the 2014 Pac-12 Tournament Championship team, highlighting her leadership and impact on a winning program. Beyond her on-court performances, Courtney exemplified impressive academic success, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in communication management, showcasing her excellence beyond the court. After her collegiate career, she even took her talents overseas, playing professionally in Greece alongside teammates like Jaquelin Castro and Charice Williams.

Interestingly, coaching wasn’t initially on Courtney’s radar. “All the coaches told me I was gonna be a coach,”  she said, but she was “originally defiant.” Yet, as often happens with natural talent, her true calling emerged. A “leap of faith” led her to an internship at Stanford, a turning point that sparked her coaching journey. She later gained valuable experience as a video coordinator for the WNBA’s New York Liberty before returning home to USC, first as the Director of Player Development, and now as an Assistant Coach. Her rapid ascent was recognized nationally when she was named a WBCA Thirty Under 30 Honoree in March 2025.

As a coach, Courtney emphasizes relationships, a philosophy deeply ingrained in her. She’s known Coach Lindsay Gottlieb since she was 13, and their bond is evident in Gottlieb’s praise for Jaco as a “rising star.” Courtney shared that she even “wanted to follow her to Cal (university)” years ago. Her coaching style is a thoughtful blend, reflecting a 50/50 split of Lindsay Gottlieb’s relationship-oriented approach and Tara VanDerveer’s (Stanford) ability to break down basketball concepts for complete player understanding. “I enjoy the relationship with players and teaching them and sharing my experience,” Jaco stated, highlighting her passion for mentorship.

“Having covered women’s sports for such a long time, It’s rather easy for me to pick out the people who will make a significant impact on a program. I knew that about Courtney right away.” – Myra Penelope Turner, journalist. 

Her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed by those around her. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb herself shared, “Courtney Jaco is a rising star in the coaching profession. A Trojan alum, she has a deep love for our school and program, and has dedicated herself to becoming one of the best assistant coaches in the business. She is intelligent, relatable, hard working and creative. She has an ability to connect with players, both teaching the game at a high level but also mentoring them on and off the court. Our rise in stature as a program is a result of the people that have invested to elevate this program, and Coach Jaco has her fingerprint all over our success.”

Echoing this sentiment, journalist Myra Penelope Turner commented, “Having covered women’s sports for such a long time, It’s rather easy for me to pick out the people who will make a significant impact on a program. I knew that about Courtney right away. She has a truly high IQ when it comes to basketball, but more importantly, she has an intense commitment to the players and the program on and off the court. It’s been such a pleasure working with her and the recruits that she brings into Annenberg (USC’s School for Communications and Journalism). I have to say that the vast majority of them committed to USC and enrolled at Annenberg, so that’s win-win! But aside from that she has a level of connectivity with her players that is truly inspiring. They have such high regard and respect for her because she’s played the game so she knows what they’re going through. I think that they all have an enormous amount of respect for her. She’s going to make a terrific head coach one day—probably sooner than we think.”

One of the “biggest adjustments from player to coach,” she revealed, was that she “had to leave the player mindset – how can I relay messages to players that can really help them especially live.” It’s about “not being in control anymore and trying to relay messages to adapt and adjust.” This insight speaks volumes about her dedication to empowering her players. Her advice for aspiring athletes and coaches? “Adaptability is key.”

Courtney’s goal is clear: “To become a mentor one day.” She actively seeks guidance from her own mentors, including Tara VanDerveer, Lindsay Gottlieb, Synthia Cooper, and Kate Paye, continually picking their brains for insights. She’s “similar to her mentors and takes inspiration from them,” embodying a truly hard working spirit.

Coach Courtney Jaco’s story is an important reminder that the lessons learned and the connections made at Windward can ripple through a lifetime of achievements. From a Wildcat sharpshooter to a Trojan leader, she shows how passion, hard work, and a commitment to helping others can lead to remarkable success, inspiring every one of us to chase our own dreams with the same unwavering spirit.