Fairfield women's hoops coach Nolan steps down after 28 years

Mar 20, 2007 - 8:53 PM FAIRFIELD, Connecticut (Ticker) -- Fairfield women's basketball coach Dianne Nolan resigned from her post Tuesday, ending her 28-year tenure at the program's helm.

Nolan posted a 456-359 record and guided the Stags to five postseason appearances, including four NCAA Tournament berths. Fairfield captured Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament titles in 1988, 1991 and 1998 and also received the program's first at-large bid in 2001.

"I am very proud of what we have accomplished here at Fairfield during my tenure," Nolan said. "I have had the honor of coaching student athletes who not only excelled on and off the court, but who have established very successful careers.

"The latter is probably the most gratifying because basketball ends for all players at some point."

Nolan, who coached five years at St. Francis (NY) before joining the Stags, owns a career record of 517-416. She ranks 27th on the all-time list for victories and is one of just 32 Division I coaches to have compiled at least 500 wins.

"I leave knowing that the program is on solid ground," said Nolan, a five-time MAAC Coach of the Year. "Winning the MAAC and competing in the postseason have been the goals of the program we developed from Division III to being recognized as a class program in Division I."