MACOMB, IL - J.D. Gravina has been named a 2026 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year following one of the most successful seasons in Western Illinois Athletics women's basketball history.
Gravina led the Leathernecks to a 26-6 overall record during the 2025-26 season, helping Western Illinois capture the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship and earn a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Leathernecks also finished 18-4 in conference play and claimed a share of the OVC regular season title.
The recognition from the IBCA adds to a memorable year for Gravina, who was also named Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the program to its first OVC Tournament title since joining the league.
The 2025-26 season also marked Western Illinois' first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017. Along the way, the Leathernecks earned multiple wins over postseason teams and continued to establish themselves as one of the top programs in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association annually honors coaches across the state for excellence and success throughout the season. Gravina was recognized alongside other award winners at the IBCA Coach of the Year luncheon earlier this month.
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