Denny Jerome

Head Women's Basketball Coach

E-mail: jeromed@waldorf.edu

Denny Jerome enters his 38th season as head coach of the Waldorf Women’s Basketball team with an overall record of 738-341.  Since the program was established in 1972, the Warriors have averaged 20 wins per season.  They have also qualified on seven occasions for the national tournament.  Under Jerome, the Warriors won their first Midwest Collegiate Conference title in 2004-2005 after finishing second in 2004.  Jerome was named the 2004 MCC Coach-of-the-Year. 

Jerome has coached 17 All-Americans, and many Academic All-Americans.  As a team the Warriors have been a Midwest Collegiate Conference and NAIA Scholar Team every year. Last years squad had one of the top GPA's in the nation.

Denny is a native of Celina, Ohio.  He graduated from Waldorf College in 1970 while competing in basketball and football.  He received his B.A. from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where he continued his football career and earned All-MIAC and All-Lutheran honors.  He earned his master’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa and has pursued further study at Iowa State University.

Jerome also serves as Waldorf’s Athletic Director.  He and his wife Kathy reside in Forest City.

Jill Minkel

Assistant Coach

E-mail: minkelj@waldorf.edu

Jill Minkel enters her third season as an assistant coach for the Waldorf College women’s basketball program.

Minkel graduated from Waldorf College in 2007, earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications.  Minkel was a key recruit in the 2003 recruiting class for Coach Jerome. During her time as a Warrior, Minkel played basketball until she was struck with injury.  Four knee surgeries later, Minkel finished her college career as a student assistant. 

“Jill experienced several serious injuries that limited her playing time at Waldorf and ended he career before she could reach her potential as a college player.  She remained involved in the program through her intense rehabilitation and contributed to the team as a positive role model.” said Head Coach Denny Jerome. 

Minkel graduated from Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 2003 – a traditionally strong basketball program.  Minkel was a varsity starter during her junior and senior seasons.  In her junior season, Minkel was named the most improved offensive player and was an MVC All-Conference player.  As a captain in her senior season, Minkel had the highest field goal percentage and most rebounds on the team, was the most improved defensive player, named to the MVC All-Conference Team, and received district honors.

Before assisting Head Coach Denny Jerome, Minkel had six years of experience coaching within the Cedar Falls basketball program, AAU, the Iowa Games, and at Snow Valley Basketball School. 

Minkel currently works at Waldorf College as an Admissions Counselor.

Kristin McMillan

Assistant Coach

E-mail:
kristin.mcmillan@waldorf.edu

Kristin McMillian is from Southern California and is entering her first season as a graduate assistant coach for the Waldorf College women's basketball team. Before arriving in Forest City, McMillan was a physical education teacher and basketball caoch for Cornerstone Christian School in Wildomar, California.

McMillan played varsity basketball for four years at Calvary Murrieta High School, and began coaching junior varsity a year after graduation. Over the last eight years McMillan has coached several junior high, junior varsity, and varsity teams. She also coached the FCA camp at UCLA in the summer of 2009.

McMillan has an Associates Degree in Theology from Calvary Chapel Bible College, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology from California State University San Bernardino. She is currently working on her Masters in Sports Management.

Kristin and her husband, Jason, reside in Forest City.

Kathy Jerome

Team Statistician