Assistant Women's Basketball Coaches

RJ Avery (Florida '91)
RJ Avery is in her first season as an assistant on the Highlanders ' coaching staff. Avery comes to Radford after spending the last two seasons as the assistant coach and intramural director at Iowa Western Community College. Her main emphasis at Radford will be post player development and recruiting.

“RJ Avery is the perfect fit for Radford Women’s Basketball. She brings an invaluable combination of energy and professionalism, as well as having had the distinct experience of having played on the highest level of collegiate women’s basketball in the Southeastern Conference,” said coach Porter.

The Chattanooga, Tenn. native was a standout player at the University of Florida from 1987-91. A four-year starter, she left the Gator program having posted 1,398 points and 777 rebounds over her career. In 1989 she captained the South team in the 1989 Olympic Festival, averaging a team best 12 points and helping her team to a bronze medal.

Avery began her coaching career with a three-year stint at Columbus State University in Columbus, Ga. From 1992-95, she served as an assistant coach and the program’s recruiting coordinator. After Columbus State, she worked as a Child Counselor dealing with troubles youths for six year. She returned to coaching for the 2000-01 season as an assistant at Tyner High School in Chattanooga.

“She is a proven recruiter, and her ability to teach the game will be a huge asset for our young, talented post players. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her, and excited to welcome she and her family to Radford University,” stated Porter.

She is a 1987 graduate of Brainerd High School where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame. She is a 1991 graduate of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation.

Avery has two children, a son RaShawn and daughter Rhyne.

Corey Thomaston (North Alabama '99)
Corey Thomaston begins his third season at as an assistant for the Highlanders. Thomaston will serve as RU's recruiting coordinator and will work with the guards. Other duties include opponent scouting, assisting with Jeri Porter’s ‘Next Level’ basketball camp and working with Radford alumni.

Thomaston is no stranger to Porter, serving as her graduate assistant at his alma mater University of North Alabama. During his two-year stint on the UNA coaching staff, Thomaston assisted Porter in all aspects of the women's basketball program, which included recruiting, scouting and player evaluation. His primary duties included working with the guards and constructing the preseason and off-season workout and conditioning programs for the Lions. He also was responsible for the coordination and running of the youth division at the Jeri Porter UNA Women’s Basketball Individual Camp.

In between his time as an undergraduate and graduate at North Alabama, he spent a year at the University of South Alabama as an intern in the athletic media relations office. His media relations' duties included being the primary sports information contact for the volleyball, women's basketball and men's and women's golf programs.

The Double Springs, Alabama native graduated from UNA in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and received a Masters of Education degree from UNA in the summer of 2002. During his senior year, he worked as a student assistant in the UNA sports information office as the primary contact for both the men's and women's basketball teams.

He and his wife Bevin reside in Radford.

Jana Ashley
(North Alabama '02)
Jana Ashley is in her third season on the Highlanders’ coaching staff and the the first as a full time assistant. She spent the last two seasons as the graduate assistant.

Ashley’s responsiblities include tape exchange and assisting with conditioning and floor work with the guards.

Ashley came to Radford after four years at the University of North Alabama where she lettered in basketball, including three seasons under current RU head coach Jeri Porter.

The Rome, Ga. native graduated from UNA in 2002 with a B.S. in education. Ashley, will graduate in the spring of 2005 with a Masters in Education from Radford.