Entering her 13th year at the helm of the Toledo women’s basketball program, head
coach Tricia Cullop has rebuilt a Mid-American Conference powerhouse.
Toledo has hung eight postseason banners in Cullop’s time patrolling the sidelines,
including a 2011 Postseason WNIT championship, one MAC Championship, two MAC regular-season
and four MAC West Division banners from the rafters of Savage Arena. Considering the
Rockets experienced five-consecutive losing campaigns prior to Cullop’s arrival, Toledo’s
turnaround has truly been a testament to her coaching ability.
Under Cullop’s guidance, the Midnight Blue & Gold has amassed an impressive 255-140 overall
record and a 134-72 conference mark. Her 255 wins are the most in program history.
UT is also averaging a MAC-best 21.3 wins over the last 12 seasons. Individually,
12 Rockets have earned All-MAC honors on 29 occasions.
Cullop, who has a 378-250 record in her 20-year coaching career, was named the Toledo
head coach on April 18, 2008, becoming the ninth coach in the program’s history.
A 1993 graduate of Purdue University, Cullop received a bachelor’s degree in communications.
As a four-year letter winner with the Boilermakers, she was part of three-straight
NCAA Championship teams (1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92) that won Purdue’s first-ever Big
Ten championship. Cullop was a team captain in 1992-93 and a three-time academic All-Big
Ten selection under head coach Lin Dunn. A 2018 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame honoree,
she was named the Purdue Mortar Board Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 1993.
A native of Bicknell, Ind., Cullop was a 1989 High School All-American at North Knox
High School. She was also a member of the North Squad in the 1991 U.S. Sports Festival.
Cullop, who is serving as President of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
(WBCA) during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 membership years, is the daughter of the late
Theodore and Jannette Cullop, and has two sisters, Tammy and Tracy.
Jessie Ivey is in her first season as associate head coach at The University of Toledo
in 2020-21. Ivey will work with all aspects of the program, including perimeter-player
development, recruiting, academic support and opponent scouting.
Ivey comes to Toledo after two seasons as head coach at NCAA Division II member Tiffin
University.
“I welcome Jessie’s head coaching experience, knowledge of the MAC, exceptional people
skills and incredible work ethic,” said Head Coach Tricia Cullop, a three-time Mid-American
Conference Coach of the Year honoree. “Jessie will be able to hit the ground running
recruiting, as she is widely known and well-respected in our region. She has a great
mind for the game and will be an outstanding mentor for our players. I’m thrilled
to announce Jessie as our new associate head coach.”
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to work alongside a proven winner and
a phenomenal leader in Coach Cullop,” Ivey said. “Toledo has a storied tradition of
success on the court as well as dedication to the holistic development of their student-athletes.
I look forward to working within such an amazing culture and staff.”
In 2016, Ivey received national recognition by being awarded the Women’s Basketball
Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Assistant Coach of the Year. That award is
presented to the recipient who has demonstrated commitment to the program, to their
student-athletes and head coach, their impact coaching on the court, mentorship and
impact on other coaches, as well as their professional manner and attitude.
Ivey was also named to the WBCA’s inaugural Thirty Under 30 honoree list. She participated
in the WBCA’s 2015 Center for Coaching Excellence in Atlanta., Ga., and also participated
in the Assistant Coaches Leadership Workshop in Quantico, Va.
A graduate of Jay High School in 2005, Ivey ranks third in school history with 1,616
career points. She graduated from UWF in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise
science and a minor in sports psychology. Ivey later earned a master’s degree in exercise
science from UWF in 2012.
Mark Stephens is in his first season as an assistant coach at the University of Toledo
in 2019-20. Stephens will work with all aspects of the program, including player development,
recruiting, academic support and opponent scouting. He will also serve as the program’s
recruiting coordinator.
“I’m thrilled Mark is joining our program,” three-time Mid-American Conference Coach
of the Year Tricia Cullop said. “He’s an extremely talented coach and an outstanding
person. Mark was a very successful high school coach and assisted one of the top club
programs in our region prior to his time at Xavier. He also brings great energy and
creativity to player development. He has a very established recruiting network and
has developed strong, trusting relationships in our region. He’s very genuine, hard-working
and organized. His unique background and perspective will greatly enhance our recruiting
efforts.”
Danielle Page is in her third season as an assistant coach at The University of Toledo
in 2020-21. Page works with all aspects of the program, including post-player development,
international recruiting, academic support and opponent scouting.
“I’m really looking forward to my third season at Toledo and getting another opportunity
to work with Coach Cullop,” Page said. “Toledo is a special place, and we have some
special student-athletes this year. We look to build on last year’s momentum, and
we’re excited about continuing to represent this great university.”
Head Coach Tricia Cullop added, “Danielle has done a great job working with our post
players, as well as assisting with recruiting and scouting efforts. She has also been
a great resource for our players who wish to play professionally. Danielle's contacts
and outstanding reputation overseas have proven valuable on the recruiting trail.
Tony Belt
Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services
Brad Pierson
Asst. Dir. of Sports Med./Assoc. Head Athletic Trainer
Brandon Hannum
Asst. Dir. Strength & Conditioning
Erin Fankhauser
Graduate Assistant/Digital Media
Jakob Stober
Head Student Manager
Yolanda Swain
Director of Operations
yolanda.swain@utoledo.edu
419.530.2363