Experts

When Nell Fortner became the fifth head coach in Auburn women’s basketball history on April 22, 2004, she brought with her a unique blend of experience that she has used to lay a foundation for the Auburn program as she dedicated and achieved her goal of bringing the Tigers back into the national spotlight.

As an Olympic and World Championship gold medal coach, a well-respected television analyst and a sought after motivational speaker, and with head coaching experience at all levels, Fortner has one of the most complete resumes in women’s basketball.

In her first season at Auburn, Fortner led the Tigers to a 16-13 overall record and a 6-8 ledger in the SEC. Fortner’s inaugural team felt the loss of two key post players in Mandisa Stevenson and Le’Coe Willingham, as both moved on to spots on WNBA rosters. The Tigers were not expected to be a threat in conference play that year, but Fortner had her own plans that season. The Tigers became the most dangerous team in the league, nearly knocking off No. 1 LSU twice.

Fortner began a foundation for the Auburn program by inking high school All-American and Miss Basketball from Alabama and Louisiana: DeWanna Bonner, Whitney Boddie and KeKe Carrier, in 2004.

With a roster equipped with a mere three upperclassmen, one of which was a junior transfer, the Tigers 2005-06 season was one of learning for the eight underclassmen. In her second year, Fortner guided the young team to a 14-15 overall record, including a 4-10 mark in SEC play. The freshmen did shine in their inaugural campaign as Bonner became the first freshman to lead the team in scoring since Becky Jackson in the 1980-81 season. Over the summer, Bonner added to her resume as she helped lead team USA to a gold medal in the FIBA Americas U20 Women’s Championship in August. Classmate Carrier was also a member of the U20 trials roster.

Twelve of the 13 members of the 2006-07 squad were brought to Auburn by Fortner and staff. Even with a roster dominated by underclassmen the Tigers reached new heights in Fortner’s third year, turning in a 21-13 ledger which included a trip to the “Elite Eight” of the Women’s NIT. Bonner continued to excel in her sophomore campaign, as she led the team in scoring and rebounding, becoming only the third sophomore ever at Auburn to lead the team in both categories in the same season. For her efforts, Bonner was named First Team All-SEC. Bonner gained more international experience over the summer, as she help lead the USAU21 World Championship team to a gold medal in July.

Fortner made recruiting in the state of Alabama a priority and it showed in her fourth recruiting class as she brought in three native’s in guard Ruth Ketcham, center Cassie Moore and guard Alli Smalley. The 2007-08 squad included eight players from the state of Alabama, the most of any Auburn squad in program history.

In 2007-08, Fortner saw her goal met as the Tigers jumped into the national spotlight, earning as high as No. 14 in both the AP and Coaches poll. Auburn steamrolled through the non-conference season, picking up road victories at nationally-ranked Ohio State and Arizona State, capturing tournament titles on the home courts of the Buckeyes and Sun Devils. Auburn went on to finish SEC play with a 7-7 record, good enough for sixth overall.

Fortner’s team also accomplished another major feat during the 2007-08 season, when they defeated their first top-10 opponent. On Jan. 13, the Tigers blasted past SEC-foe Georgia, 82-52. For their efforts during the season, Auburn earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 11 seed and played No. 6-seeded George Washington in Stanford, Calif. It was Auburn’s first trip to the Big Dance since 2004, and the first for Fortner since her stint at Purdue.

Fortner’s impact at Auburn is much more than just on the court. She is a staple in the Auburn/Opelika area and is well-known through her community service efforts and public speaking. The Jackson, Miss., native also travels around the country for numerous speaking engagements including the 2006 Tucson Duramed FUTURES Golf Classic, which was held in Tucson, Ariz., and at the USOC in Colorado Springs at the “Women in Coaching” convention in September, 2006.

In addition to her work in the community, Fortner’s reach is global. During her first season on the Plains, she was named as the spokesperson for the Auburn University War on Hunger in conjunction with the World Food Programme and continues in her commitment to the program.