Bill Fennelly to retire after 2026-27 season at Iowa State

Bill Fennelly, the winningest coach in Iowa State athletics history, has announced he will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season. The announcement marks the end of a 39-year head coaching career and more than 50 seasons spent on the sidelines.

Fennelly is currently in his 32nd season at Iowa State, tying him as the third-longest tenured coach in the university's history. Throughout his tenure, he has amassed a career record of 656-335 at Iowa State and 822 total victories, ranking him 15th all-time in coaching wins. His leadership has guided the program to 24 NCAA Tournament appearances and 26 total postseason appearances.

Fennelly stated that the decision to announce his retirement now is intended to provide the athletics department with clarity and allow for future program planning. He expressed gratitude to the players, staff, and the Ames community for their support over the decades.