ISU women’s basketball has come a long way since coach Bill Fennelly took the reins in 1995, and the athletic department wants his success to continue.

Fennelly was given a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the helm until 2011. After the season ended, Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde and Senior Associate Athletics Director Callie Theisen Sanders sat down with Fennelly to talk about his contract.

“The initial conversation was maybe extend it a year, and they came back and said, ‘Let’s do it two years,'” Fennelly said. “I guess the administration likes what we’re doing.”

In 10 years under Fennelly, Iowa State has made the postseason eight times, including a 1999 Elite Eight appearance in the women’s NCAA tournament. The Cyclones have won more than 20 games in a season six times in the Fennelly era and won back-to-back Big 12 Championships in 2000 and 2001.

He is the winningest coach in ISU women’s basketball history, with a record of 215-97, and his 98 conference victories in 10 seasons are almost double that of the 43 conference games the Cyclones won in the 22 years before his arrival.

“Under Coach Fennelly’s leadership, the Iowa State women’s basketball program continues to excel both on and off the court,” Van De Velde said in a press release. “We are very proud of the accomplishments of Coach Fennelly, his staff and the women’s basketball program over 10 years of unparalleled success.”

His success may help snag new recruits, but Fennelly said he’s not the No. 1 reason they come to Ames — having a stable situation at the head coach position helps the team, as well.

“My name came up with some other jobs, but nothing serious,” he said.

“By any reason, it definitely shows some stability to prospective recruits’ parents.”

There was no increase in Fennelly’s pay, and he will continue to receive a base salary of $401,425 per year through the end of his current contract.

“Money wasn’t the issue at all, just the length,” Fennelly said. “It really demonstrates a commitment on Iowa State’s part.”