Phyllis Mangina
Phyllis Mangina (born January 3, 1959) is an American former college basketball coach of the Seton Hall Pirates. Mangina was first a star basketball and softball player at the institution, and later returned to her alma mater as an assistant, before assuming a leading role as head coach in 1985.
Coaching career
Mangina led Seton Hall to three Women's National Invitation Tournament appearances in six seasons, the last appearance being in the 2006–07 season, where the Pirates held a 19–12 (9–7 Big East) record for the season. She is one of Seton Hall's only two women's basketball coaches, and claims the winningest basketball coaching record at Seton Hall with an overall record of 341–345. Since the 1996–97 season, Mangina had an overall record of 129-154, with a 51-108 record in the Big East conference.[1] She coached three honorable mention All-Americans and 18 All Big East selections. During the 1994-95 season, the Pirates went 24-9 earning the program's second consecutive 20-win season and tournament appearance. The 1994 team spent 10 weeks in the Top 25.
In 1993, Seton Hall had its best season ever, going 27-5, and finishing the year ranked 14th in the nation. Seton Hall also finished second in the Big East that year with a 16-2 record. Mangina earned Big East Coach of the Year honors that year. For being a star point guard at Seton Hall, leading the Pirates to a 93-28 record over four seasons and ranking eleventh in school history in scoring with 1195 career points, as well as her stellar coaching career, she is now a member of the Seton Hall Athletic Hall of Fame.
In March 2010, it was announced that Mangina would retire from the head coach position at Seton Hall.[2]
Controversy
After the 1998 season, five players, including leading scorer Danielle Golay and starting point guard Christine Koren, decided to pursue transfer opportunities at other universities.[3] The circumstances surrounding the massive exodus led to some contradictions in the New Jersey press, as players' versions of the events and motivations leading to their decision were incongruous with those from the coaching staff.
References
- ↑ Media Guide (20 MB)
- ↑ Phyllis Mangina Steps Down as Head Women's Basketball Coach (press release). 2010-03-25. Accessed 2011-08-17.
- ↑ Mike Moretti, Andrea Blasko, "Five Seton Players to Leave Team", The Star-Ledger, Newark (New-Jersey), May 8, 1998