Bill Fennelly

[acoustimac]

Many Cyclones Return For Women’s Basketball Reunion

AMES, Iowa –Bill Fennelly is now in his 31st season as the leader of the Iowa State women’s basketball program. He’s led the Cyclones to the NCAA Tournament 23 times in his amazing career and has c…

forevertrueisu.wordpress.com

Just adding facts to the discussion:

Forever True ISU says “over 30 players returned” to the reunion. There are only 17 in the event photo, including Emily and Ashley. The Letterwinner Club, event organizer, showed 19 registrants.

Anyway you spin it, that’s pretty sparse.

You are a man searching for any way to spin a stat to make the program or coaching staff look bad. You really need a more positive hobby. (Tick, tick, tick…here comes the “dumb” response since it’s the only one he knows how to use)

 

[BryceC]

Considering his reputation as a top recruiter he likely could land anywhere he wants.

That theory will likely be put to the test in 12 months. We’ll see.

 

[BooklynClone]

The fact they have not confirmed Feneley is coming back tells me he's not. Why would they not with all the hemorrhaging say he's coming back? Serious question.

 

[acoustimac]

That theory will likely be put to the test in 12 months. We’ll see.

Over the past 7-8 years (you cannot omit his track record) he’s brought in some of the top players in ISU history. But, you are correct…if the staff stays in place they have their work cut out for them.

 

[bluestarcyclone]

You are a man searching for any way to spin a stat

This is a massive lack of self awareness

 

[LurkingClone]

I sit and think it’s time for a change in coaching (and I do) but what is the expectation?

To find a Coach that not only will get us to the NCAA Tourney, but get us out of the first weekend and more.

Fennelly has gotten us to the tourney more seasons than not (good on him). But getting to the Sweet 16 or better? Only about 1/4 of the time. 2022 being the latest since 2010. That doesn’t seem great. And we expect more from a program with the facilities and fan support we have.

I do think it’s time we upgrade. What is that cost - is it too much for our budget? I don’t know, but there has to be a coach that would love our facilities and fan base that can do at least as good, if not better, for the same amount of money.

 

[mwwbbfan]

Over the past 7-8 years (you cannot omit his track record) he’s brought in some of the top players in ISU history. But, you are correct…if the staff stays in place they have their work cut out for them.

It was noted earlier that Steyer was the lead recruiter on Crooks and Brown, I think it was in the article Tommy Birch did earlier this year about her. It was also mentioned that she was lead on Carleton and Lacey so I think she does not get the credit she deserves.

 

[BryceC]

Over the past 7-8 years (you cannot omit his track record) he’s brought in some of the top players in ISU history. But, you are correct…if the staff stays in place they have their work cut out for them.

No doubt he’s brought in a lot of great players. The notion he’d get to just pick his next stop is what I’m very much doubting.

 

[hiltonisheaven]

The problem isn’t recruiting good players, they’ve had good players. The issues are poor Xs and Os, inability to use timeouts effectively, picking favorites, and inability to coach defense:

And this:

And this:

 

[CRAZYGREG]

You are a man searching for any way to spin a stat to make the program or coaching staff look bad. You really need a more positive hobby. (Tick, tick, tick…here comes the “dumb” response since it’s the only one he knows how to use)

Simple solution... don't post dumb things.

 

[CycloneSpinning]

Just kind of a counterpoint to a lot of this - has anyone considered that perhaps the university is getting exactly what it wants out of this program? I mentioned this before in another post, but I’ll say it again…the WBB has a pretty good reputation around the country, games are well attended, and the girls provide a positive fan experience. The ROI is honestly pretty decent.

If you asked 10 ISU fans, how many would be willing to risk the men’s team being able to get to the Sweet 16 so that the women could get there…?

And again, it’s really tough to get to the top. I think I read that Tennessee won 8 championships under Pat Summit, and they haven’t been to a final four since…though they also haven’t missed the tournament. Not missing the tournament for that many years is an awesome accomplishment, but compared to where they were, they’re mired in mediocrity. Our women’s team could be a lot worse.

 

[TD Hardeman!]

Just kind of a counterpoint to a lot of this - has anyone considered that perhaps the university is getting exactly what it wants out of this program? I mentioned this before in another post, but I’ll say it again…the WBB has a pretty good reputation around the country, games are well attended, and the girls provide a positive fan experience. The ROI is honestly pretty decent.

If you asked 10 ISU fans, how many would be willing to risk the men’s team being able to get to the Sweet 16 so that the women could get there…?

And again, it’s really tough to get to the top. I think I read that Tennessee won 8 championships under Pat Summit, and they haven’t been to a final four since…though they also haven’t missed the tournament. Not missing the tournament for that many years is an awesome accomplishment, but compared to where they were, they’re mired in mediocrity. Our women’s team could be a lot worse.

The ROI is not positive by any stretch ofbthe imagination. Intangible "feel good justifications" are a path to the poor house. A $4 Million WBB loss per year in challenging times for the university, needs to be throughly evaluated and recalibrated. It serves no redeeming purpose to " keep up with the Jones, when the Jones are driving their car off a cliff."

 

[BCClone]

I don't expect much out of next year, but I'd be stunned if we don't schedule ourselved into 10 noncon wins. It's really difficult not to do that (which made Prohm's last year even more outstanding).

People really don't get what an amazing set of things it takes to be stuck at 2 wins. This program beats that easily next year.

No real defense of Prohm but wasn’t his last year the Covid year so he didn’t really have much for non cons?

 

[WartburgClone]

I wish the kids who are leaving much success as long as they don't end up at other Big 12 schools.

Or Iowa

 

[WartburgClone]

Just kind of a counterpoint to a lot of this - has anyone considered that perhaps the university is getting exactly what it wants out of this program? I mentioned this before in another post, but I’ll say it again…the WBB has a pretty good reputation around the country, games are well attended, and the girls provide a positive fan experience. The ROI is honestly pretty decent.

If you asked 10 ISU fans, how many would be willing to risk the men’s team being able to get to the Sweet 16 so that the women could get there…?

And again, it’s really tough to get to the top. I think I read that Tennessee won 8 championships under Pat Summit, and they haven’t been to a final four since…though they also haven’t missed the tournament. Not missing the tournament for that many years is an awesome accomplishment, but compared to where they were, they’re mired in mediocrity. Our women’s team could be a lot worse.

Asking for more than one Sweet 16 in 15 years, as a P4 school, isn't really asking a lot.

 

[bozclone]

I’m calling it now. Bill doesn’t think any of this is his fault and he doesn’t want his career to end this way. Bill also knows that it will be difficult to recruit a significant number of players for just one year. I think he tells the AD he needs to coach 3-4 more years to do this right. No insider info, just a gut feeling. This mess may be far from over.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Just kind of a counterpoint to a lot of this - has anyone considered that perhaps the university is getting exactly what it wants out of this program? I mentioned this before in another post, but I’ll say it again…the WBB has a pretty good reputation around the country, games are well attended, and the girls provide a positive fan experience. The ROI is honestly pretty decent.

If you asked 10 ISU fans, how many would be willing to risk the men’s team being able to get to the Sweet 16 so that the women could get there…?

And again, it’s really tough to get to the top. I think I read that Tennessee won 8 championships under Pat Summit, and they haven’t been to a final four since…though they also haven’t missed the tournament. Not missing the tournament for that many years is an awesome accomplishment, but compared to where they were, they’re mired in mediocrity. Our women’s team could be a lot worse.

That’s a fair point from the perspective that the university can’t (and shouldn’t) dump a bunch of money into WBB to make it more successful than it is.

I don’t think anybody is asking for that. We’re not saying go spend 2x to get a proven head coach. We’re also not saying we should triple NIL to get better players.

The issue is we had two very good players for two years and added a third last year, with basically nothing to show for it.

We’re not even taking advantage of the resources we have.

 

[mj4cy]

That’s a fair point from the perspective that the university can’t (and shouldn’t) dump a bunch of money into WBB to make it more successful than it is.

I don’t think anybody is asking for that. We’re not saying go spend 2x to get a proven head coach. We’re also not saying we should triple NIL to get better players.

The issue is we had two very good players for two years and added a third last year, with basically nothing to show for it.

We’re not even taking advantage of the resources we have.

I think you nailed it here. Williams and Blum said yesterday that while yes its an amazing accomplishment to make 26 of the last 31 NCAA tournaments, we have not beat a better seed than our own since before Y2K. Just felt like we have a permanent ceiling. It has to be decided if that is okay or not.

 

[Tailg8er]

Asking for more than one Sweet 16 in 15 years, as a P4 school, isn't really asking a lot.

Why did you use 15 years? Surely not because ISU women have been to more than one sweet 16 the past 16 years, right? I agree that it's time to move on, but let's be intellectually honest here at least.

 

[ZorkClone]

I’m calling it now. Bill doesn’t think any of this is his fault and he doesn’t want his career to end this way. Bill also knows that it will be difficult to recruit a significant number of players for just one year. I think he tells the AD he needs to coach 3-4 more years to do this right. No insider info, just a gut feeling. This mess may be far from over.

The question I would ask as an AD is how will it be any different in 4 years. You’re always going to ask for more time for recruiting reasons.