HOPEWELL, N.J. – No. 25 Fairfield University Women's Basketball Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis has been named one of five finalists for the inaugural Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year award presented by Her Hoops Stats. In her second season at the helm, Coach Carly has led the Stags to new historic heights which includes the program's first-ever national ranking, a 26-1 overall record and the MAAC Regular Season Championship.
"I'm incredibly grateful to be considered amongst some of the best coaches and program-builders in our game," Coach Carly said. "This truly is a testament to the collective effort of everyone in our Fairfield Women's Basketball family. Without my coaching staff who are some of the best teachers of the game and of life, or the student-athletes who give their all for this team, none of our success would be possible. This is another great moment and recognition for our program, and I'm excited for these last two games and postseason with our squad."
"It's so much fun to play for Coach Carly and I couldn't ask for a better coach than her," Senior guard Janelle Brown said. "She's the most authentic person you'll meet and has the ability to make you appreciate the things you do in your life. She's one of the best coaches of our generation and this is only the beginning of her greatness. The way she impacts people on and off the court is beyond words and she makes it look so effortless because that's who she is. This award is just one of many and is a testament to her ability to impact this game."
"Playing for coach Carly is something that I'm truly grateful for every day, and I know the rest of our team would say the same," Junior captain Lauren Beach said. "She's one of my biggest role models and someone I constantly look up to. The way that she has been able to challenge us and create a winning culture, while also caring about us like family, is what makes her so special as a coach and a person. Coach Carly is one of the hardest working people I know and it's no coincidence that our team has been able to have so much success led by her. We couldn't be happier for the recognition she's been receiving."
Coach Carly has been at the helm of one of the most historic seasons in the history of the Fairfield Women's Basketball program which was culminated by earning the school's first-ever national ranking as the squad was slotted in at the No. 25 spot in the AP Top-25 poll. The Stags are also the first team outside the Top-25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and moved up two slots in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll, placing fifth nationally.
Fairfield's success has been highlighted by a 26-1 overall record, the second-highest winning percentage in the nation. Fairfield has also enjoyed a 24-game winning streak which features a perfect 18-0 mark in conference play. The Stags have already clinched their fifth MAAC regular season championship in program history. Fairfield's 18 conference victories and 14 true road wins are also tied for the most in the nation.
The Stags have been near the top of most of the national rankings this season, placing in the top-25 in seven different statistics. Fairfield's stifling defense has been among the nation's best as they rank fifth nationally in scoring defense (53.9) and sixth in field goal percentage defense (.352). They have held 11 opponents to under 50 points while nine foes have shot under 30 percent this year.
On the offensive side, the Stags employ one of the most efficient shooting teams in the country and rank in the top-15 in Division I with a .472 field goal percentage. That number would be the highest in program history and the 10th best total in MAAC history.
Fairfield's high-powered offense also features a program-record 244 3-pointers made which is the 13th most in conference history. Their 9.0 long-range connections per game also puts them 12th in the nation.
The Stags have found this success by implementing seven newcomers from last year's squad who account for 71 percent of the team's scoring. Freshman Road Runner Meghan Andersen has had one of the best rookie campaigns in the country and has been recognized nationally as one of 40 players on the USBWA National Player of the Year Watch List. The winner of 11 MAAC Rookie of the Week awards, she was also the only freshman ever to be selected a Mid-Major Player of the Year Semifinalist.
Among the returners this year, Janelle Brown has been one of the most efficient shooters in the country, holding a .588 field goal percentage which is the highest among any guard in the country.
Izabela Nicoletti-Leite has been the orchestrator of the offense, leading the MAAC with a 2.24 assist-to-turnover ratio while placing third in the conference with 4.1 assists.
The winner of the award will be named on the afternoon of April 3. Coaches will be assessed throughout the entire season, including postseason play. Beyond on-court success, other factors such as recruiting, preseason expectations, injuries, and tactical coaching will also be weighed when assessing each candidate.