Nell Fortner has been named the sixth head coach in Georgia Tech women’s basketball history, director of athletics Todd Stansbury announced.
One of the most successful coaches in women’s basketball history, Fortner has compiled a 305-187 (.620) record as a head coach at the collegiate, professional and international levels. She has led teams to Big Ten (Purdue – 1997) and Southeastern Conference (Auburn – 2009) championships and, perhaps most notably, coached the United States national team to three international titles from 1997-2000, including the gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
THE NELL FORTNER FILE
Personal
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Education:
Texas (B.S. – physical education, 1982)
Stephen F. Austin (M.S. – education, 1987)
Coaching Experience
1983-86: Killeen (Texas) H.S. (head coach)
1986-87: Stephen F. Austin (graduate assistant)
1987-90: Stephen F. Austin (assistant coach)
1990-95: Louisiana Tech (assistant coach)
1995-96: U.S. national team (assistant coach)
1996-97: Purdue (head coach)
1997-2000: U.S. national team (head coach)
2000-03: Indiana Fever (head coach/general manager)
2004-12: Auburn (head coach)
Head Coaching Experience
1996-97: Purdue (17-11, 12-4 Big Ten – Big Ten regular-season champion, NCAA Tournament)
1997-2000: U.S. national team (101-14 – 1998 William Jones Cup gold medal, 1998 FIBA World Championship gold medal, 1999 Pan American Games bronze medal, 2000 Summer Olympics gold medal)
2001: Indiana Fever (10-22)
2002: Indiana Fever (16-16)
2003: Indiana Fever (16-18)
2004-05: Auburn (16-13, 6-8 SEC)
2005-06: Auburn (14-15, 4-10 SEC)
2006-07: Auburn (21-13, 6-8 SEC – WNIT)
2007-08: Auburn (20-12, 7-7 SEC – NCAA Tournament)
2008-09: Auburn (30-4, 12-2 SEC – SEC regular-season champion, NCAA Tournament)
2009-10: Auburn (15-16, 5-11 SEC)
2010-11: Auburn (16-16, 8-8 SEC – WNIT)
2011-12: Auburn (13-17, 5-11 SEC – WNIT)
Overall at Purdue: 17-11 (.607)
Overall with U.S. national team: 101-14 (.878)
Overall with Indiana Fever: 42-56 (.429)
Overall at Auburn: 145-106 (.578)
Overall as a college head coach: 162-117 (.581)
Overall as a head coach: 305-187 (.620)
"Georgia Tech and the entire Atlanta community have a gem of a coach and person in Nell Fortner. Having played for and coached against Nell, she brings positivity, energy and experience at the highest level that her student-athletes will enjoy and embrace. The entire basketball community loves having Nell back on the sideline."
"It is good to see Nell get back into coaching. She will bring energy and work ethic, but also great basketball knowledge. Georgia Tech hit a grand slam with the hiring of Nell Fortner."
"Nell Fortner has experienced success at every level. Her personality will excite a team and energize a fan base. She has the ability to motivate, lead and be a role model for young people. Most importantly, she is a good person. During her time in the SEC at Auburn, she experienced great success and I am sure she can do the same at Georgia Tech."
"A true ambassador for women’s basketball, Nell Fortner is an outstanding person and coach with character, integrity and a commitment to excellence in everything she does. Georgia Tech is blessed to have Coach Fortner represent the Yellow Jackets both on and off the court. She will bring high energy and leadership to the court having succeeded at every level of coaching. Georgia Tech’s student-athletes, assistant coaches and staff will excel with Coach Fortner on the court, but more importantly, they will excel in life."
