As the only coach in NCAA Division III history to win four consecutive national championships and the leader of a program that owns the longest winning streak in NCAA women's basketball history at 81 games, Washington University head coach Nancy Fahey ranks as one of the most talented coaches in college basketball today.

Fahey, who ranks second among all active NCAA coaches with an .847 career winning percentage, led her troops to the first basketball national championship in school history with a 28-2 season in 1997-98, defeating the University of Southern Maine, 77-69, on the Huskies' home floor. She topped that in 1998-99 by leading her club to a 30-0 season --- the first undefeated season in school history --- and a second-consecutive national title with a 77-69 win over the College of St. Benedict (Minn.).

Fahey and her team then made history when the 1999-2000 club became the second team in NCAA basketball history --- any division, men or women --- to post back-to-back undefeated national championship seasons. Along the way to a second-straight 30-0 season, one that ended with a 79-33 win over Southern Maine in the national championship game, the Bears finished the season with the NCAA women's all-divisions record for consecutive victories with 68-straight wins.

The Bears then established themselves as one of the greatest teams in college basketball history by winning the school's fourth-consecutive national championship in 2000-01. WU finished 28-2, defeating Messiah in the national championship tilt, 67-45. The Bears became just the second women's basketball team, and the third in NCAA history, men's or women's, to win four straight national titles. WU also saw its NCAA women's record winning streak stretch to 81 games before coming to an end in midseason.

Fahey did not lose a step in 2001-02 as the Bears posted a 25-1 overall record and won their fifth-straight UAA title. In 2002-03, WU began the season with a 23-game winning streak as they marched to their sixth-straight UAA title and a berth in the Elite Eight for the seventh time. In 2003-04, the Bears went 22-5 and made their ninth trip the NCAA Sweet 16, and in 2004-05 they also went 22-5 and won their eighth-straight UAA title.

In 2005-06, the Bears went 25-3 and won their ninth-consecutive UAA title; they also advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. In 2006-07, the Red and Green made their sixth appearance in the national championship game. In the process, Washington U. won its 10th-straight UAA title and finished with a 25-6 overall record.

The 2007-08 campaign saw WU post a 19-8 overall mark with a second-place finish in the UAA. A year later Washington U. captured its 18th UAA title and advanced to the NCAA Championship Game for the second time in three years. The Bears, who were 26-5 overall, extended their NCAA-record consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance streak to 20-straight seasons.

Since Fahey's arrival in 1986, the Bears have enjoyed their finest 23 seasons. In each of the past 22 seasons, the Red and Green have won at least 19 games --including a school-record 30 victories in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. The Bears have made 21 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and won 18 University Athletic Association (UAA) titles under Fahey. Her 1990-91, 1993-94, 2006-07 and 2008-09 squads each advanced to the Final Four, along with her national championship squads from 1998-2001. WU finished fourth in 1991 and placed second in 1994, 2007 and 2009.

Fahey came to Washington U. from Johnsburg High School in McHenry, Ill., where she guided the Skyhawks to two regional championships, a sectional final, two 20-win seasons and was named the coach-of-the-year in 1986 by the Northwest Herald. As a player, Fahey was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She started two years at point guard for the Badgers, and served as a captain her senior season. Fahey graduated with honors from Wisconsin in 1981.

Quick Facts About Fahey

Years at WU: 23 (542-98, .847)

Previous Coaching Experience:
2001: Served as a court coach for USA Women's Basketball.
2000: Served as an assistant coach for the East team at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game.
1995: Served as an assistant coach for the South squad in the 1995 U.S. Olympic Festival.
1982-86: Johnsburg High School, McHenry, Ill. Served as head girls' basketball coach, earning Northwest Herald coach of the year honors in 1986. The winningest girls' basketball coach in school history, led Johnsburg to two regional championships and a pair of 20-win seasons.
1981-82: Madison Memorial H.S., Madison, Wis. Served as assistant girls' basketball coach.

Playing Career:
College: Earned four varsity letters at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1977-81. Started at point guard for two years and was team captain as a senior.
High School: A four-year letterwinner at Belleville (Wis.) High School, 1973-77. A two-time all-conference selection, twice named team captain and most valuable player.

Education:
College: Graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a bachelor of science degree, 1981, Received Helen Pfunder Physical Education Academic Award.
High School: A graduate of Belleville (Wis.) High School, 1977. Served as junior class president.

Honors:
Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year for the 1999-2000 season. Division III Central Region coach of the year for 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1999-2000, 2001-02, and 2005-06 seasons. Named the Division III National Coach of the Year by both Columbus Multimedia and Women's DIII News in 1998-99. Tabbed 16 times with UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors, including the 2008-09 season.

Year-By-Year with Fahey (1986-2009)