Jim Jabir, a longtime women's college basketball coach who won more than 500 games and led Dayton Flyers to a historic run in 2015, has died at 63 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
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Dayton announced the news on Thursday, with athletic director Neil Sullivan offering condolences to Jabir's family.
Around Dayton, one moment always stands out: the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Jabir's Flyers, a No. 7 seed, caught fire behind stars like Andrea Hoover and Ally Malott. They knocked off Iowa State, Kentucky and Louisville to reach the Elite Eight, the deepest run in program history.
The ride ended against UConn Huskies, led by coach Geno Auriemma, but the impact stuck. Dayton became just one of a few teams that season to even push UConn offensively.
That run was part of a bigger stretch. Jabir led the Flyers to six straight NCAA Tournament appearances and built the program into a consistent winner, including eight seasons with 20 or more victories.
His coaching journey stretched well beyond Dayton. He started as a head coach at just 23 and had stops at Siena, Marquette, Providence, Colorado, Florida Atlantic and a return stint at Siena before retiring in 2024.
Jabir stepped away from Dayton in 2016, citing health and the need to focus on family. Even then, he stayed connected to the game, including a successful run coaching professionally overseas.
He finished his career with 551 wins and earned multiple conference Coach of the Year honors.
Jabir spoke candidly about his diagnosis in recent months, sharing that the cancer had returned after surgery.
In the end, he leaves behind a long coaching résumé and a moment in March 2015 that Dayton fans won't forget.
