High energy and enthusiasm is what Idaho women’s basketball assistant coach Steven Fennelly expects to bring to the table for the team starting this season.
In addition to his passion for basketball, coaching has been a part of the Fennelly family genetics. Steven’s passion for coaching will help the Vandals continue its success this season. Fennelly’s arrival was announced in June.
Idaho women’s basketball coach Jon Newlee said he is thrilled to bring Fennelly to the Vandal coaching staff.
“He comes from a great basketball family,” Newlee said in a press release. “His basketball IQ is fantastic for being such a young coach. We are excited to have him help this program continue to climb and keep winning championships.”
Fennelly, who spent his last three seasons as an assistant at Cal State Fullerton, said he’s excited to be a part of the coaching staff this season.
“(The Vandals) have had a lot of success going to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four years, so I’m coming in a good situation,” Fennelly said. “Assistant coach (Christa) Sanford and (Jeri) Jacobson have been great to work along with and learn from. So I’m just excited to be a part of an already successful program.”
Prior to his time at Cal State Fullerton, Fennelly served two seasons (2011-13) as the head video coordinator for the Iowa State women’s basketball team. The Cyclones head coach is his father, Bill, who’s entering his 20th season.Before his role as video coordinator, Steven was the head student manager (2007-2011).
Steven graduated at Iowa State in 2007 where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and received his master’s six years later at the same institution.
He and his wife Andrea now reside in Moscow.
Steven said coaching has always been something he’s wanted to do.
“Coaching is part of the family blood,” Fennelly said. “Just to be able to go to California with Andrea (Fennelly) and have a fun three years was awesome. Now I’m just looking forward to build that experience in bringing it to Idaho.”
His brother is also a coach.
Steven said his passion for coaching comes from his childhood.
“I definitely wanted to coach and they would’ve been supportive in whatever I wanted to do,” Fennelly said. “But I’ve always grown around basketball. Even if I was a younger kid, I would always be at practice, going to games, and traveling with the team. I love sports in general but being around basketball is something I’m very comfortable with.”
Steven said the transition has gone well as the Vandals have high expectations going into this season.
“We had our team meeting in Coach Newlee’s house Sunday just to set the tone and expectations this season,” Fennelly said. “Come October when practice starts, we’ll be rolling into the new season. There’s just an exciting buzz around the program and we’re excited to move forward and get the ball rolling.”
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TheLTFiles