Head women’s basketball coach Dianne Nolan announced Tuesday that she would step down after 28 years on the sidelines.
“It’s time for a change and the time was right,” Nolan said. “My boys are going off to college. Actually, one of them is going to play lacrosse here, and it will be the first time that I will have the chance to explore some things and that is something I am looking forward to.”
Her 28 years at Fairfield ranked her as the fifth- longest tenured active coach at one school, and the ninth-longest tenured coach in Division I women’s college basketball history.
Her service time at Fairfield is longer than that of any of the University’s eight presidents.
“To be honest, I liken it to a hip play on Broadway. These types of runs are unprecedented,” Athletic Director Gene Doris said. “Twetny-eight years, you just don’t see that anymore.”
Nolan’s 517 wins are the 27th most in women’s college basketball history.
After spending the first five years of her career at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, N.Y., she posted a 456-359 (.560) record at Fairfield, while also leading the team through the transition Division II to Division I in 1981.
“This team has been like my baby that I have raised for 28 years, and you never want to leave unless you feel like your baby is OK,” Nolan said. “I really feel like this team is in a good place and that was important to me. When I decided it was going to be time, everything was going to be in place and I thought, ‘wow, everything is going to be OK.”
The Stags had an-up-and down season this year, flashing their potential throughout the year. They finished fourth in the MAAC, but lost on a last-second shot in the conference tournament quarterfinals.
But Nolan said that the conference tournament had no bearing on her decision.
“I had decided before that,” she said. “It was really mutual when Gene and I sat down. I was like, ‘I’m ready,’ and he was like, ‘yeah, it’s time.’ That’s why it feels so right and so good.”
Doris agreed.
“The discussion was personal between us,” he said. “But, it was not a snap decision, and we both agreed it was time, it was a whole long discussion.”
The women will return with all their starters and lose only one key player for next year. Nolan felt confident in stepping down with the team in such good shape.
“They’re going to be good, like I said to them in the locker room, I love them dearly and they are such good kids, I want them to be good. The best thing they could do for me is to go out and win a championship. They better be good,” Nolan said.
Her teams have had success before as well. They have had four NCAA tournament berths, including the only at-large bid in school history, along with one WNIT berth. They also won three MAAC tournament titles, and three MAAC regular season crowns.
Nolan has won numerous awards, including being a five time MAAC Coach of the Year and the MBWAA Coach of the Year.
However, her affect in the Fairfield Community was more than just on the court.
She was active in community service around the area, was a mentor in the Ignation Residential College, and every senior Nolan coached during her time graduated with a degree on time. She was rewarded with the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Distinguished Service Award in 2006 for all of her work in the community.
“I’m going to miss the people. The people made the place for 28 years. I had the privilege of being associated with so many good people,” said Nolan.
Nolan is not sure what is in store for her next, although Doris sees her staying involved with basketball in some way.
The search for a new coach commenced Wednesday according to Doris and the school is using a coaching search firm to discover candidates. However, Fairfield will wait for a coach with the right fit before making any decisions.
She also expressed her gratitude for all of Fairfield’s support throughout her tenure.
“I want to thank the Fairfield community, the students and the people. Just for their support and for all their kindliness. I walk across this campus and the hellos, the hey coach how are you doing, from non-athletes, that makes it a special place and I just really want to thank everyone for that.”
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