History of Nell Fortner in Timeline

Nell Fortner is a distinguished women's college basketball coach, currently at Georgia Tech. She gained prominence by leading the 2000 Olympics team to a gold medal. Fortner's accomplishments have been recognized with accolades such as the 1997 National Coach of the Year, 2000 USA Basketball Coach of the Year, and 2008 SEC Coach of the Year. She was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in April 2018.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

March 3, 1959: Nell Fortner Born

On March 3, 1959, Nell Fortner was born.

Others born on this day/year

1978: USA Basketball Debut

In 1978, Nell Fortner debuted with USA Basketball as a member of the 1978 U.S. Olympic Festival South team, winning a silver medal.

1978: Basketball and Volleyball at the University of Texas

In 1978, Nell Fortner received a dual scholarship in basketball and volleyball to the University of Texas.

1981: National Championship Win

In 1981, Nell Fortner helped lead the Texas volleyball team to the 1981 AIAW National Championship.

1983: Coaching Career Begins

In the 1983-84 season, Nell Fortner began her coaching career as the girls basketball coach at Killeen High School in Texas.

1986: Graduate Assistant at Stephen F. Austin

In 1986, Nell Fortner became a graduate assistant under Gary Blair at Stephen F. Austin while completing a master's degree in education.

1990: Assistant Coach at Louisiana Tech

In 1990, Nell Fortner was hired as an assistant coach by Leon Barmore at Louisiana Tech, where she spent five years.

1994: National Championship Game Appearance

In 1994, the Lady Techsters team that Nell Fortner coached made a trip to the national championship game.

1995: End of Louisiana Tech Tenure

In 1995, Nell Fortner ended her five-year tenure as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech.

1995: Position with USA Basketball

In the summer of 1995, Nell Fortner took a position with USA Basketball, serving as an assistant coach for one year under Tara VanDerveer.

1996: Hired as Head Coach at Purdue University

In 1996, Nell Fortner was hired to replace Lin Dunn as head coach at Purdue University.

1996: Gold Medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta

In 1996, the USA Basketball Women's National Team, where Nell Fortner served as an assistant coach, posted a 52-0 run that culminated with a gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

April 1, 1997: Named U.S. Head Coach

On April 1, 1997, Nell Fortner was named to succeed Tara VanDerveer as the U.S. head coach.

1998: Gold Medals at the FIBA World Championship

In 1998, Nell Fortner led the USA National Team to gold medals at the FIBA World Championship.

August 17, 1999: Named Head Coach and General Manager of Indiana Fever

On August 17, 1999, Nell Fortner was named the first head coach and general manager of the expansion franchise Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association.

2000: Coaching Team USA through the Olympics

In 2000, Nell Fortner continued coaching Team USA through the Olympic Games, while Anne Donovan served as interim head coach for the Indiana Fever.

2000: Olympic Gold and Coach of the Year

In 2000, Nell Fortner led the USA National Team to gold medals at the Olympic Games and was named the 2000 USA Basketball Coach of the Year.

November 2001: University of Texas Women’s Athletics Wall of Honor

In November 2001, Nell Fortner was appointed to the University of Texas Women’s Athletics Wall of Honor.

2001: Joins the Fever

In 2001, Nell Fortner joined the Indiana Fever for the 2001 campaign after coaching Team USA through the 2000 Olympic Games.

2001: TV Analyst for ESPN

In 2001, Nell Fortner started working as a TV analyst for ESPN.

2002: .500 Record and Playoff Win

In 2002, Nell Fortner lifted the upstart franchise Indiana Fever to a .500 record and a playoff win in the club’s first post-season appearance.

2003: Resigns Following the 2003 Season

Nell Fortner resigned from Indiana Fever following the 2003 season.

April 22, 2004: Named Head Coach at Auburn

On April 22, 2004, Nell Fortner was named the fifth head coach in Auburn Tigers women's basketball history.

2004: Leaves ESPN

In 2004, Nell Fortner left ESPN as a TV analyst.

2007: Distinguished Alumnus Award

In 2007, Stephen F. Austin honored Nell Fortner with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

2008: SEC Coach of the Year

In 2008, Nell Fortner was named the SEC Coach of the Year.

2013: Returns to ESPN as TV analyst

In 2013, Nell Fortner returned to ESPN as a TV analyst.

April 2019: Hired as women's basketball coach at Georgia Tech

In April 2019, Nell Fortner was hired as the women's basketball coach at Georgia Tech.

2019: Hired as women's basketball coach at Georgia Tech

In 2019, Nell Fortner was hired as the women's basketball coach at Georgia Tech.

2021: Sweet Sixteen Appearance

In 2021, Nell Fortner's team made the program's second-ever Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.

Mentioned in this timeline

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The modern Olympic Games are a leading international sporting event...

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of Georgia...

Texas the second-largest US state by area and population is...

Indiana nicknamed the Hoosier State is a Midwestern state in...

USA Basketball USAB is the governing body for basketball in...