NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Iona College is pleased to announce the signing of a five-year contract by women’s basketball head coach Billi Godsey through the 2020-21 season.
“The Iona community and Gael Nation are proud to have Coach Godsey remain the leader of the Iona women’s basketball program,” said Iona College President Dr. Joseph E. Nyre. “After winning our first-ever MAAC Tournament Championship, we are excited about the bright future ahead for the Gaels.”
“We are incredibly proud of what Billi Godsey has done for the women’s basketball program in her three short seasons,” said Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. “Coach Godsey is the right coach for the program and is a terrific representative of both the College and athletic department’s missions.”
“I would like to thank President Nyre and Rick Cole for the opportunity to continue to lead the dedicated student-athletes of Iona women’s basketball,” said Godsey. “Winning a MAAC championship is an amazing accomplishment, but it’s only the beginning. My staff and I are ready to continue the growth of this program and build on the success we have been fortunate to have. I am very proud to be a member of the Iona family and look forward to leading the program in the years to come.”
In her first three years at the helm of the women’s basketball program, Godsey has led Iona to its most successful stretch in history. Over her tenure, Iona has a 64-33 (.660) overall record including a 46-14 (.767) mark in MAAC play.
In her first season, Godsey and her staff led the program to an Iona single-season record 26 wins, including an 18-game winning streak from Nov. 15, 2013 through Feb. 1, 2014, also a program-record. The Gaels finished as MAAC Co-Regular Season Champions, winning 18 league contests, the most in school history.
On Mar. 9, 2016, Iona won its first MAAC Tournament Championship earning a first-ever bid to the NCAA Championship and a first round appearance against No. 2 seeded Maryland. Godsey’s recommitment to a strong defense helped motivate the Gaels to an NCAA Top 50 performance in opponent scoring. Iona led the MAAC, surrendering just 56.6 points per game, the lowest average in program history. The defense stood out in the championship game, as the Gaels limited top-seeded Quinnipiac to a season-low 41 points.
Godsey’s 66.0% winning percentage is the best in Iona women’s basketball history. Her two 20-win seasons in just three seasons ranks No. 2 in Gaels’ history, one behind the program leader.
BILLI GODSEY COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT IONA:
Record at Iona: 64-33 (.660) / three seasons
Overall NCAA Record: 64-33 (.660) / three seasons
Career Head Coach: 64-33 (.660) / three seasons
2016 MAAC Tournament Champions / NCAA Tournament Appearance
First-ever MAAC Championship / NCAA Appearance
Best scoring defense in Iona history (56.6 ppg)
2014 Co-Regular Season Champions / NIT Appearance
Program-record 26 overall wins, 18 MAAC wins, and an 18-game winning streak
Six All-MAAC First Team Performers
(Joy Adams 3x, Damika Martinez 2x, Marina Lizarazu)
One All-MAAC Second Team Performer
(Aleesha Powell)
One MAAC All-Rookie Team Performer
(Alexis Lewis)
Two MAAC Players of the Year
(Martinez 2x)
Two MAAC Sixth Players of the Year
(Aaliyah Robinson, Lewis)
One New York Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Player of the Year
(Martinez)
One MAAC Coach of the Year
(Godsey, 2014)