McConnell retires after eight seasons as IUP women’s basketball coach
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After several successful seasons as the head women’s basketball coach at IUP, Tom McConnell has announced he has retired from the position.
The move takes effect next month.
“Recently, I have been praying and thoughtfully considering my future, and with great clarity and peace, I have decided that it is time for me to retire from coaching,” said McConnell, who just this past Sunday, as an assistant coach, helped the USA Women’s U17 National Team win gold at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
“This was a tremendously difficult decision because I am walking away from the best and most rewarding job that I have ever had. During my time at IUP, I was so very blessed to work with a great group of coaches, administrators, and staff members, not to mention coach a truly wonderful group of student-athletes. As I look back on my nine years here, there is no doubt that I have been truly blessed.”
IUP athletic director Todd Garzarelli expressed his gratitude toward McConnell for his dedication to the women’s basketball program during his tenure.
“Tom’s legacy at IUP is not about wins and losses, but the family culture and supportive structure that he worked to build within the program that will undoubtedly last for years to come,” Garzarelli said.
“Tom has been a consummate professional, dedicated program builder, and a faithful community leader. Not only did he positively contribute to the lives of his players and staff members, but he touched so many people outside of his program and in the Indiana community.
“We wish nothing but the best for Tom and his wife, Lisa, and are excited for them to be able to spend more time with their family.”
During his eight coaching seasons with the IUP women’s program — the 2020-21 season was canceled in the midst of the ongoing covid pandemic — McConnell went 197-50 overall with four Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division regular-season titles (2015, 2018, 2019, 2020) and two PSAC tournament championships (2017, 2019).
He also led the Crimson Hawks to back-to-back Atlantic Region crowns and NCAA Elite Eight national semifinal berths in 2018 and 2019.
His 197 victories, .798 overall winning percentage, four division titles, and two regional championships are all program records. McConnell owns five of the top 10 seasons in IUP history according to win totals — including two 30-win seasons — and has five of the six longest win streaks in program history, highlighted by a record 19 straight victories during the 2019-20 season.
McConnell led the Crimson Hawks to seven straight 20-win seasons and seven consecutive NCAA tournament selections — also program records.
He was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year three straight times (2018-20), and his players have combined for two All-American selections and 21 combined All-PSAC West honors.
McConnell finishes with 282 career wins with 85 coming as the head coach of the St. Francis (Pa.) men’s program from 1992-99.