Less than 48 hours prior to Iowa State’s season opening game against Omaha on Wednesday, head coach Bill Fennelly has revealed that he will be starting a 14-day quarantine after coming in contact with an individual that tested positive for COVID-19.
Fennelly revealed that he has since been tested and it came back negative, but the leader of the program is taking the required precautions.
“I was recently in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19,” Fennelly said in his statement. “I have since tested negative, along with everyone else in our program, and began a self-isolation period. I am following medical advice that includes a 14-day quarantine.”
It’s unclear as to whether that means he would miss Iowa State’s game against No. 1 South Carolina – scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on December 6, which is 13 days away.
No matter the absence, though, the coaching staff will be relying on its chemistry and cohesiveness to coach the team through the next two weeks.
The group is one of the longest tenured staffs in the nation when it comes to keeping the same coaches in the same place. That should pay dividends no matter where its at.
In the meantime, associate head coach Jodi Steyer will take over the head coaching duties.
“Associate head coach Jodi Steyer will assume the head coaching duties in my absence,” Fennelly said. “I am thankful to have an amazing staff to manage the program while I’m away. It will be hard to miss games, but I will watch and cheer along with the best fans in the nation. Our focus continues to be, as always, on the team and we are committed to doing everything we can to allow them to play safely.”
