ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- A little-known fact about Lewis University's new women's basketball coach, Dodie Dunson II, is that he's got a few tricks up his sleeve—literally and figuratively.
"I've picked up a few magic tricks over the years," Dunson said with a laugh. "Some good tricks. They're great for camps, but every now and then, I'll pull one out in practice if I need to."
But Dunson's real "magic" lies in the way he sees the floor and prepares his players—half-court traps, well-timed elevator screens, defensive intensity and a belief in doing things the right way. It's not flash--it's substance. And after 15 years of experience coaching at six NCAA Division I programs, Dunson has finally landed at the place he's had his eye on for a long time.
"I've always had an eye on Lewis," Dunson said. "Lewis is a goldmine. There's a strong track record of success here—on and off the court. I've known so many coaches who have passed through this program, people I respect tremendously, who encouraged me to take this position. There's something special about this place."
Born in California but raised in Bloomington, Illinois, Dunson's journey started in a community center gym where his father worked, mentoring youth and offering them a different path through sports. His mother spent over three decades at State Farm, always "working hard" to help provide for the family.
"My dad taught a lot of life lessons through sports," Dunson said. "Just being around him, being active—I fell in love with the game. I wasn't very good at first, but I worked on my craft. Basketball became an avenue for life lessons, and I stuck with it."
That stick-with-it mentality carried him through a successful playing career, starting at Iowa State, shining at Vincennes University and finishing strong at Bradley University, where he scored nearly 700 points despite playing through a significant injury. Along the way, he was shaped by a wide array of coaches—different systems, different leadership styles—all preparing him for a coaching career he knew he wanted even as a young boy.
Dunson's coaching résumé reads like a blueprint for program transformation. At Tulsa and UIC, he was part of the nation's biggest single-season turnarounds under first-year head coaches. His defensive system at UIC held opponents to just 58.2 points per game—best in the MVC and top 50 nationally.
He's coached 20 All-Conference selections and has been instrumental in elevating programs academically, helping five programs reach their highest-ever team GPAs, and graduating every single student-athlete he's coached. His recent stop at Evansville saw the program notch its first back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference wins in nearly a decade and an undefeated home non-conference slate.
What drives Dunson, however, is not just wins—it's impact.
"I know firsthand the importance of academics," he said. "I was diagnosed with dyslexia as a kid and struggled early. But once I had people around me who believed in me, I took off. Now, I don't call it a learning disability—I call it a learning style. Everyone learns differently, and it's our job as coaches to meet players where they are."
As he steps into the head coach role at Lewis, Dunson is bringing not just a playbook, but a philosophy.
"The model this year and for me in general is 'Believe Big,'" he said. "And for me, it's about living by principles, not pressure. Pressure is something we create. But if you do the daily things, you build a foundation. So when adversity hits—and it will—you can fall back on those principles."
He credits his mentor, Randy Norton, a former UAB head coach, with helping him define his coaching identity.
"Coach Norton talked about using basketball as a tool to create a lifetime of opportunities," Dunson said. "It's not just about the game. When student-athletes have a great experience, it sets the tone for the rest of their lives."
As for what he's building in Romeoville, Dunson is clear: He's not just looking for talent—he's looking for fit.
"Why not Lewis?" he said. "You get an intimate education, a high-quality degree and the chance to compete at a high level—all while being in one of the biggest markets in the world, Chicago. The potential here is unlimited."
He also sees the long-term opportunity for roots—something many college coaches rarely find.
"You look at Lewis and you see coaches who have been here 8, 10, 20 years," Dunson said. "There's a reason for that. You want to build something, make an impact, and call a place home. That's what this opportunity is for me."
Dunson's stage is set. The curtain is peeled back. And if his past is any indication, he's ready to bring the house down—one play, one practice, and one principle at a time.
