Women's Basketball: Coaching Staff

Jill Cress Head Women's Basketball Coach E-Mail: cressj@william.jewell.edu

Jill Cress begins her 12th year as the head coach of the women’s basketball program at William Jewell College. Before coming to Jewell, Jill was the Interim Head Coach at Ottawa University. Cress is a native of Vinton, Iowa and is a 1993 graduate of Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, where she received a B.S in Education along with a reading approval and coaching endorsement. While at Northwestern she was a 4-year starter in both basketball and softball.

The William Jewell Women’s basketball team has become known for their up-tempo style of play and their pressing defense. This style of play has helped make the Cardinals one of the consistent front-runners in the competitive Heart of America Athletic conference, considered one of the strongest NAIA conferences in the nation. The Cardinals have been to the National Tournament four of the last six years, including a “Sweet 16” appearance. The Cardinals overall record under Cress’ leadership is 238- 145. During her tenure at Jewell Cress has had the opportunity to coach six All-Americans (nine selections), ten Academic All-Americans (18 selections). “William Jewell is truly a special place where students are challenged both academically and athletically. I am proud of our student athletes’ accomplishments on the court and am just as proud of the way they excel and represent our family off the court”.

Jill and her husband Rex have four children, Addisyn, Tyson, Leighton and Rylan and reside in Blue Springs, MO.

Harold Shepherd
Assistant Coach 

Harold Shepherd, a 44-year veteran basketball coach, will be entering his first year as women’s basketball assistant coach at William Jewell College.

Coach Shepherd has spent the last two seasons as the head girl’s coach at Jesup High School in Jesup, Iowa. Prior to coaching at Jesup, Shepherd served as head girl’s basketball coach for Vinton-Shellsburg, and Elk Horn-Kimballton in Iowa. His 722 wins places him fifth all time for victories among girl’s basketball coaches in Iowa, where he coached 997 high school girls’ basketball games. He leaves the High School ranks with a record of 722 wins and 275 losses. He also coached two state championship teams and took his team to nine state tournament appearances. In 1997 he was named National High School Coach of the Year. Shepherd is a member of the Iowa Hall of Fame and is also a member of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Shepherd will be reunited with Coach Jill Cress who played under him at Vinton High School in the late 1980s. Shepherd’s responsibilities at Jewell will include a key role in game management and some recruiting.

Coach Shepherd and his wife Kay enjoy four daughters, Kim, Paige, Jessica and Libby, as well as eight grandchildren ranging from ages four to 20 years old. 



Chad Thomason
Assistant Coach 

Chad starts his fourth season as Assistant coach here at Jewell. He graduated in 2006 with a degree in  Mathematics and is currently attending graduate school at UMKC.  Chad also serves as the men's and women's tennis assisant coach.

Chad Hawkins
Assistant Women's Basketball Coach

Chad will enter his second season at Jewell as Assistant Women's Basketball Coach. Chad coached seven years of High School Girl's Varsity Basketball, two years at Temple Christian School in Fort Worth, TX and five years at Kansas City Christian School in Prairie Village, KS. with a overall record of 131-42. A 1997 graduate of Calvary Bible College with a B.S. in Physical Education, Chad is currently attending the University of Kansas, pursuing a Master's in Education.

Hawkins and his wife Apryl reside in Kansas City, MO with their two children Makaylee, and Walker.