Yvonne Hawkins was introduced as Vanderbilt women’s basketball’s director of special projects and athletic culture in May of 2024. The 2025-26 season will be her second season with the Commodores.

Hawkins comes to West End after her second stint as an assistant coach at UAlbany. Hawkins brings nearly 40 years of collegiate experience, which includes 15 seasons with the Great Danes as an assistant coach from 1987-2002, then again from 2018-2024. She helped UAlbany win the 2022 America East Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

“Yvonne is a pillar of our sport who is respected and loved by everyone who has worked with her or played for her,” said Vanderbilt women’s basketball head coach Shea Ralph. “She has an effervescent and fun-loving personality that will make everyone from our student-athletes to our fans feel like she has been part of the family for years. She also brings a wealth of experience from which our program, campus, and local communities will benefit tremendously. After 30 years in coaching, her wisdom will be an invaluable addition to our program’s path forward. I am thrilled to welcome ‘Hawk’ to Vanderbilt.”

Prior to her time at UAlbany, Hawkins was the associate head coach at Boston College from 2012-18. During her time at BC, Hawkins worked with current Vanderbilt associate head coach Tom Garrick and executive director of operations and chief of staff Chris Brann. It was her second stint with the Eagles, as she was previously an assistant coach at BC from 2004-08. She was on staff when Boston College advanced to the Sweet 16 during the 2005-06 season. Hawkins graduated from Ashland in 1983 with a degree in Physical Education with a minor in Adapted Physical Education.