Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly has become the winningest coach in Big 12 history with 297 wins when the Cyclones defeated the No. Before the 1995-96 season, Iowa State women’s basketball was a struggling program. Thirty-one years ago, Fennelly was hired as the head coach of the Iowa State women’s basketball team. In 31 seasons, Fennelly has led Iowa State to 20-plus-win seasons 18 times. From day one, the Davenport, Iowa native created a culture in Ames known as the Iowa State Way.