Whitner joins NIACC women's basketball coaching staff
MASON CITY - Former Mason City High standout Jaeda Whitner has joined the NIACC women's basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach for the 205-26 season.
Whitner said some of her responsibilities will include planing practice, skill development, especially with guards and scouting opposing teams.
"(Coaching) allows me to stay involved with a sport that I love," Whitner said, "and also help athletes who are in the same position that I once was.
"I also think juco/community college is a great place to start your career as a student and as an athlete."
Whitner, who graduated from Mason City High School in 2020, received her bachelors degree in business administration from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 2025.
Whitner played two seasons at Iowa Lakes before transferring to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
At Iowa Lakes, Whitner earned first-team all-region honors during the 2021-22 season.
At Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Whitner played three seasons from 2022-25.
Whitner said it's good to be back home in Mason City.
"It is very nice because it allows me to be around my family and be here for my little brothers," she said.
Whitner ranks sixth on Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's career 3-point list with 122 3-pointers. She also ranks second on the school's single-season 3-point percentage list (42.1 percent in 2024-25).
In Whitner's first year at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2022-23, the Islanders were the Southland Conference regular season champions. The Islanders won the Southland Conference Tournament in 2023-24 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
"Playing at the college level helps me understand the physical and mental demands of the game," Whitner said, "and allows me to know how to prepare for upcoming games.
"Knowing these demands, I feel like I can sometimes relate to our players and help them through some of the same situations that I dealt with on and off the floor."
No. 17 NIACC opens its season Friday at home against Blackhawk Technical College on the first day of the annual Konigsmark Klassic. Game time in the NIACC gym is slated for 6 p.m.
Whitner is excited to get the regular season started.
"I like our teams athleticism, talent and work ethic," Whitner said. "I also like how the players are coachable and supportive of each other."
