A Program at a Crossroads
Iowa State’s women’s basketball squad is navigating a substantial turnover, having lost three key contributors — Audi Crooks, Addy Brown and Jada Williams — to the transfer portal, while several staff members also departed, reshaping the roster heading into the new campaign.
Coach Bill Fennelly, now in his 32nd year at the helm, continues to set the bar high, insisting that the team must still contend for an NCAA Tournament berth and meet the standards that have defined the program for decades.
No Retirement, No Compromise
Fennelly has been clear that he has not mapped out a retirement timeline; instead, he focuses on maintaining the competitive intensity that has sustained the Cyclones’ relevance in a demanding conference.
In partnership with athletics director Jamie Pollard, the coach underscores that success is measured not just by wins but by adherence to the program’s long‑standing expectations.
The Road Ahead
The upcoming season will serve as a litmus test for the program’s health, offering a glimpse into how effectively the new roster can translate preseason promise into on‑court results under Fennelly’s guidance.