Head Coach Keith Mondillo Earns Historic
500 th
By : Lauren Yancer
Win
Gwynedd Mercy University ’ s Women ’ s Basketball Head Coach Keith Mondillo ’ 04 notched his 500 th career win with an 84-83 thrilling overtime victory over Immaculata University on Saturday , January 28 .
This momentous victory is one earned by only 54 other coaches in the history of National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA ) Division III and places Mondillo 19 th in wins among active DIII women ’ s basketball coaches and 54 th in wins all-time among women ’ s basketball coaches ( includes active and inactive coaches of DIII at any point in their career ).
“ If you coach long enough , the wins add up but the relationships with the student-athletes , parents , and coaches are what is truly special ,” said Mondillo . “ I remember very little from the games . It ’ s the time spent with the students and coaches off the court that I will never forget . I will be credited for the 500 wins , but it ’ s the student-athletes over the 28 years that deserve this achievement .”
Mondillo is now tied for 61 st in Winning Percentage (. 678 ) amongst active DIII women ’ s basketball coaches , and 205 th in Winning Percentage (. 678 ) all-time amongst women ’ s basketball coaches ( includes active and inactive coaches of DIII at any point in their career ).
The 2022-2023 season marks Mondillo ’ s 27 th season behind the bench for the Griffins . During his tenure , Mondillo has transformed the Griffins program into a
national and regional power . His success has been recognized by his peers with Colonial States Athletic Conference ( CSAC , formerly Pennsylvania Athletic Conference ) Coach of the Year honors in 1998 , 1999 , 2004 , 2007 , and 2012 . Mondillo is the first – and only – coach in CSAC history to lead his team to consecutive undefeated conference seasons , winning regular season championships and the conference tournament championships in both the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons . During that time , the Griffins ’ overall record was an amazing 51-7 and 36-0 in conference play . The undefeated seasons are an achievement that have not been duplicated by any team in the conference , men or women . The Griffins moved from the CSAC to the Atlantic East Conference ( AEC ) as one of seven schools who formed the new conference in 2018 .
Mondillo ’ s 400 th win was earned on December 29 , 2015 , with a victory over King ’ s College ( Pa .) and 300 th win on January 30 , 2010 , with a victory over Marywood University . His conference record is a remarkable 329-81 (. 802 ), leading the Griffins to seven conference titles and nine NCAA Tournament appearances . Overall , his teams have appeared in 18 of the last 25 conference championships – including the 2021-2022 AEC Women ’ s Basketball Championship – and landed in the finals for 13 years straight ( 1998-2010 ).
“ We are incredibly proud of and excited for Coach Mondillo ,” said GMercyU President Deanne H . D ’ Emilio , JD . “ His leadership on and off the court has provided
16 TODAY