Brenda Frese's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Brenda Frese. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Brenda Frese is the head coach of the University of Maryland women's basketball team since 2002. She led the Terrapins to the 2006 National Championship. Maryland won the 2009 ACC Regular Season and Tournament Championships under her leadership. They also won another ACC Championship in 2012 and reached the Final Four in 2014. After Maryland moved to the Big Ten, Frese guided them to an undefeated conference record and a Big Ten Regular Season Championship in 2015, followed by another Final Four appearance that same year. Frese has been recognized as AP National Coach of the Year twice (2002, 2021) along with multiple conference Coach of the Year awards and has coached numerous players to Player and Freshmen of the Year awards.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1984: Conference Play Success

In 2015, the Terrapins were the first team to go undefeated in conference play since Purdue went 16–0 in 1998–99 and Ohio State went 18–0 in 1984–85.

1986: All-State and All-Metro Player

From 1986 to 1988, Brenda Frese was an all-state and all-metro basketball player.

1988: Iowa State Champion

In 1988, Brenda Frese was an Honorable Mention All-American and Iowa state champion in basketball.

1989: Last ACC Championship

In 1989, Brenda Frese won the ACC Regular Season and Tournament Championships, which was the women's first ACC Championship since 1989.

1998: Conference Play Success

In 2015, the Terrapins were the first team to go undefeated in conference play since Purdue went 16–0 in 1998–99 and Ohio State went 18–0 in 1984–85.

2000: MAC Coach of the Year

In 2000, Brenda Frese was named MAC Coach of the Year.

2001: Coaching at Minnesota

During her 2001–02 season at Minnesota, Brenda Frese led a one-year turnaround of 8–20 to 22–8, one of the biggest in NCAA history.

2002: Hired as Head Coach, AP National Coach of the Year

In 2002, Brenda Frese became the head coach of the University of Maryland women's basketball team and was named AP National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year. At the time, Maryland defeated Indiana for the Men's NCAA Basketball Championship. She also was awarded the USBWA Coach of the Year award in 2002.

2002: USBWA Coach of the Year

In 2002, Brenda Frese was awarded the US Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Coach of the Year award.

2006: NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament Win

During the 2006 season, Brenda Frese coached Maryland's Terrapins to a 34–4 record. The team finished the season by winning the 2006 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.

2006: National Championship

In 2006, Brenda Frese guided Maryland to a National Championship.

2008: ACC Regular Season and Tournament championships

In 2008–09, after losing five seniors and dropping the season opener at Texas Christian University, Frese was able to coach the team to both the ACC Regular Season and Tournament championships, as well as an NCAA Elite Eight appearance and 31–5 record.

2009: ACC Regular Season and Tournament Championships

In 2009, Brenda Frese won the ACC Regular Season and Tournament Championships, which was the women's first ACC Championship since 1989.

2012: Won Another ACC Championship

In 2012, Brenda Frese won another ACC Championship and reached another Final Four in 2014.

2013: ACC Coach of the Year

In 2013, Brenda Frese was named ACC Coach of the Year.

2015: Frese Named Big Ten Coach of the Year

In 2015, Brenda Frese and her staff led the Terrapins to an unprecedented level of success in their first year in the Big Ten. Frese was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second time in her career.

2015: Big Ten Regular Season Championship and Final Four

In 2015, Brenda Frese led the Terrapins to an undefeated 18-0 conference record and a Big Ten Regular Season Championship in their first year in the Big Ten. The Terrapins advanced to their second straight Final Four and third under Frese.

2015: Successful Season and Elite Eight Appearance

In 2022–23, the Terps surpassed expectations, winning 28 games, including wins over No. 6 UConn, at No. 7 Notre Dame and over No. 7 Iowa. They finished second in the Big Ten and advanced to the program's first Elite Eight since 2015.

2019: Big Ten Coach of the Year

In 2019, Brenda Frese was voted Big Ten Coach of the Year.

2020: Another Big Ten Title and Coach of the Year Honors

In 2020–21, Frese's Terrapins earned a record of 26–3 overall, 17–1 in league play and winning the program's sixth Big Ten title in seven years. She was named Big Ten Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year by the AP, The Athletic and ESPN.