Iowa State signs women’s hoops coach Fennelly through 2025

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State and women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly have agreed to a contract extension through 2025.

The Cyclones announced the new three-year deal on Thursday. Fennelly finished his 24th season at Iowa State with an upset to loss at home to Missouri State on Monday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He had been signed through 2022 under his old contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Fennelly won his 500th game at Iowa State on February 24. He’s 505-262 with the Cyclones and 671-315 overall in 31 seasons as a head coach. His career win total is 14th nationally among active coaches.

Iowa State had one of the nation’s most impressive turnarounds this season, winning 26 games and earning a No. 3 seed and first and second-round home games in the NCAA Tournament.

“I love this place,” the 61-year-old Fennelly said Monday. “I love everything about it. I love coming to work. I love telling people I coach and work at Iowa State.”

The Cyclones finished second behind No. 1 Baylor in the Big 12 this season, and they reached the conference title game.

Fennelly has won at least 20 games in 20 different seasons, one of just 13 coaches. Iowa State has consistently ranked among the nation’s leaders in attendance under Fennelly’s leadership.

“Bill built a program from scratch and, more impressively, maintained major success for more than two decades,” Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said. “There’s a loyalty factor and a commitment (to Iowa State) factor with Bill that isn’t very typical today. He has been fully invested in the ‘Iowa State Way’ for a long time and our fan base has reaped the benefits.”