NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association announced their 2025-26 women's basketball awards on Tuesday morning. FDU head coach Stephanie Gaitley was named the Division I Coach of the Year. 

Gaitley picked up the honor for the fourth time in her career, after winning the award in 2013, 2018, and 2019 with Fordham.

Under Gaitley's leadership, the Knights finished with a program record 30 wins in 2025-26. Gaitley took an FDU team with just one returning starter and led them to a second-consecutive undefeated campaign in the NEC, and a second-consecutive NEC title. The Knights became the first team in conference history to complete back-to-back undefeated conference seasons. FDU also joined UConn as the only two teams to accomplish such a feat over the past two seasons.

FDU earned their second-straight conference title, and their second-straight trip to the NCAA tournament in 2025-26. The Knights drew a #15 seed, taking #2 Iowa down to the wire in a 58-48 thriller.

Gaitley also led one of the top defenses in the nation in 2025-26. The Knights finished with the #2 scoring defense amongst all Division I programs, allowing just 51.5 PPG to opponents. Gaitley coached the 2025-26 NEC Defensive Player of the Year, as well as four All-NEC honorees.

FDU's Ava Renninger was also awarded by the MBWA, being named to the 2025-26 All-Met First Team.