Jackie Smith Carson, a Woodbridge, Virginia, native, and 2000 Furman graduate became Furman's ninth head coach on April 15, 2010. One of the finest players in Furman women's basketball history, Carson led the Paladins in scoring and rebounding and earned first team All-Southern Conference honors and team MVP accolades as a sophomore, junior, and senior. The standout forward was named Southern Conference Player of the Year in 1998 & '99 and served as team captain her final two seasons. She also garnered three Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll tabs. Prior to her return to Furman, Carson coached for 5 seasons at James Madison University where the Dukes posted a 125-40 record (.758), including a 74-16 mark (.822) in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), and advanced to postseason tournament play each year. The string of postseason berths included NCAA Tournaments in 2007 and `10, as well as Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) appearances in 2006, '08, and '09. It is a dream and honor for Coach Carson to return to Furman University and Greenville. She is committed to developing and reenergizing the Furman women’s basketball program and increasing the program’s participation in community outreach.