JD Gravina was named as the seventh head coach in Western Illinois Women's Basketball history on April 15, 2011 after a highly successful four-year stint at nearby Quincy University.

In his first season at the helm, Gravina began the process of returning the Leathernecks to atop The Summit League with a 12-win season with seven of those coming in league play. The Purple & Gold tied for sixth in the regular season, an impressive finish after being picked to finish last in the preseason poll.

The regular season was highlighted by a three-game winning streak (first since 2009) and winning five in a seven game stretch, including a 33-point home win over Oakland followed by a victory over IPFW. The 33-point victory was the third highest margin of victory over a Summit League program in program history as Western made 15 triples in the contest, also a program high.

Western took a definitive step forward in The Summit League Tournament with a first-round upset over No. 2 seed Oral Roberts, 83-71. In addition, Gravina and his staff helped set new marks in the program's record book.

In 2011-12, Western scored a program-record 2,050 points, and also set new standards in 3-point field goals made (215) and attempted (678). The Summit League 'Newcomer of t he Year' Saule Kontautaite made a program-record 67 three-pointers. Valencia Kelly was named All-Tournament Team and Sadie Webb was named Second Team All-Summit League as well as being a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.

A six-year head coaching veteran prior to Western, Gravina built a powerhouse during his time at Quincy by posting an overall record of 93-28 and taking the Hawks to the NCAA Division II National Tournament three times.

During the 2010-11 season, Gravina led Quincy to a 26-4 record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II regional semifinals. That same season the Hawks climbed as high as No. 11 in the national polls.

A two-time Great Lakes Valley Conference 'Coach of the Year', Gravina also led Quincy to national tournament appearances during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 campaigns.

He was also selected as the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Division II 'Coach of the Year' three times. Gravina was named as the Women's Basketball Association Region 4 'Coach of the Year' following the 2009 season and was one of eight finalists for the 'National Coach of the Year' award.

Under his direction, Quincy won two GLVC regular season titles and saw three players named as First Team All-GLVC selections. He also coached Ali Schwagmeyer to GLVC 'Player of the Year' honors during the 2010-11 season and had three players named to the 2011 Daktronics All-Midwest Region team.

During his final season with the Hawks, Gravina's team averaged 87.3 points per game, the second-best mark in the nation. His teams also excelled in the classroom, earning a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or better every season.

Off the court, Gravina has kept both his team and himself active in community service events. His team's work with the WBCA 'Pink Zone' initiative was featured in the NCAA magazine Champions.

Prior to his tenure at Quincy, Gravina spent two seasons at McPherson College where, during the 2006-07 campaign, he helped the Bulldogs record their third winning season in 25 years.

Gravina graduate from William Jewell College with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. He competed in basketball, tennis and track and field as a student-athlete.

He received his first master's degree from UMKC in Economics in 2002 and another in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Emporia State in 2007.

He and his wife Meredith reside in Macomb with their dog Annie.