HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU Women's Basketball head coach Stephanie Gaitley recorded her 700th career victory as a Division I women's basketball head coach with FDU's 62-59 victory over American on Friday.

The win makes Gaitley the 17th coach in DI Women's Basketball history to reach the 700 win plateau. Gaitley currently ranks sixth in Division I wins among all active NCAA women's basketball coaches.

Gaitley has become the first Division I women's basketball coach to reach 700 wins while coaching at six different programs throughout her career. Additionally, Gaitley becomes the second Division I women's basketball coach to ever record 700 wins without making a stop at a power five program, joining Robin Selvig. 

Gaitley has coached for 39 seasons, including stops at Richmond (1985-1991), Saint Joseph's (1991-2001), LIU (2002-2008), Monmouth (2008-2011), Fordham (2011-2022), and FDU (2023-present). 

Gaitley picked up the historic victory in a nail-biting victory on the road against American, to move FDU to 2-0 on the 2024-25 campaign. Gaitley will look to build on her milestone with an impressive season that saw the Knights be picked unanimously to finish atop the Northeast Conference.

The win is another accolade on the laundry list of accomplishments across Gaitley's career. She has made nine NCAA tournaments and a 11 WNIT appearances. She is a 3x Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Coach of the year. She is also a member of the Villanova and Philadelphia Big Five Hall of Fames. While playing at Villanova, she was named a CoSIDA All-American in 1982.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Congrats Mom! What an amazing accomplishment. I'm so proud of you and everything you have done for your career. I hope I can be half as good of a coach as you, on, and more importantly, off the court!! Here's to 800! Love you! - Dutch Gaitley, Coach Gaitley's son

Mom, you win everywhere you go, and it's not just because you're a great coach (you are). It is because the way you treat people makes them want to play for you. 700 was inevitable and 800 is just a matter of time! - DC Gaitley, Coach Gaitley's son

Congrats Mom!! Having a front row seat to your success has taught me that life is about far more than basketball. The true care that you show to your family & friends, staff & players, and anyone else in your life, has led to more success than just X's and O's could ever. I'm so proud to be able to watch all of your accomplishments and cannot wait for more to come! 700 and counting! - Jordan Gaitley, Coach Gaitley's son

I've known Stephanie for decades and am so impressed with everything she's done as a coach, as a mentor, and giving back to the university that she represents. Clearly, she knows the game because she's coming upon her 700th win, which is not an easy feat. She's done this with so many different types of players and she says been successful on every level. Graduating players, having great teams. A couple of years ago I was at the Warriors training camp, Steve Kerr invited me. To my surprise, there was Stephanie and she was taking notes and talking to coaches and continuing to learn about the game, even though she had been accomplished in what she's done in women's basketball, so she utilizes her contacts. She wants to grow. She has to and wants to be better. And she has a coaching tree and a legacy of helping make her former players or assistants better and help them to their next job. - Nancy Lieberman, Women's Basketball Legend

I have known Stephanie for a long time and am incredibly happy for her to collect her 700th career win. She has had success everywhere she has been, a testament to her leadership, coaching acumen, player development and team-first culture. Stephanie is a wonderful person and very deserving of the praise that comes with this milestone celebration! - Tara VanDerveer, Former Stanford WBB Coach

Stephanie Gaitley is an excellent teacher, coach and ally in the game!  700 wins represents true joy and love for the process and the journey! Congratulations and cheers to all her players and staff through the years! This is a milestone everyone celebrates. - Debbie Antonelli, ESPN

Stephanie was one of the most hard-working and knowledgeable basketball players I've ever coached. It is no surprise that she went on to be an outstanding coach. She loves her players and teaches them not only about basketball but about life congratulations on her 700 win. - Harry Peretta, Gaitley's coach at Villanova

Congratulations, Stephanie on a Fantastic Achievement. You've not only been an excellent coach, but a wonderful ambassador for Women's Basketball.  Continued success….
P.J. Carlesimo, Former NBA and NCAAM coach