Bill Fennelly in first public comments since lawsuit: 'Totally shocked'

AMES — After nearly two weeks of keeping mum, Bill Fennelly broke his silence Friday concerning a lawsuit filed recently by a former player that alleged racial discrimination and retaliation by the long-time Iowa State women's basketball coach.

Fennelly said he was 'totally shocked' by the lawsuit filed April 15 by Nikki Moody, a four-year starter for the Cyclones from 2011-15. Moody's suit, which also names as defendants Iowa State and the State of Iowa, alleges that Fennelly repeatedly called her a 'thug' and a selfish player, despite her being ISU's career assists leader.

The lawsuit, filed in Polk County District Court in Des Moines, did not specify an amount for damages. The suit said Fennelly constantly demeaned, berated and discriminated against Moody, who is black.

Fennelly said he had 'no idea' why Moody filed the lawsuit. He admitted being hurt by the allegations.

'I've worked with hundreds and hundreds of kids and I'm very proud of what we've done,' Fennelly said. 'But when your personal character is attacked, it's devastating.'

While not addressing any specific allegations made in the lawsuit, Fennelly vowed to fight back in court.

'I've been miserable,' Fennelly said during a news conference at Iowa State's Sukup Basketball Complex. 'I look forward to the process. I have great faith in the legal system. I look forward to the time when we get to share our side of the story.'

Fennelly defended his program and his hands-on coaching style during a 20-minute meeting that at times was emotionally charged.

'I'm not going to deny who I am. I'm passionate. I'm an emotional person,' said Fennelly, whom some critics have compared to the vitriolic former Indiana and Texas Tech men's basketball coach Bob Knight. 'I am not the person I've been accused of being. As a head coach, I make decisions everyday. Every decision I make someone doesn't like. I get that.

'But I know the kind of person I am. I know the kind of coach I am. Every day we show up and we work hard to make our players better citizens, better students, better players, so they're ready to go on with their life.

'I love my job and I love everything about Iowa State.'

Fennelly has coached for 41 years, 28 as a head coach and the last 21 at Iowa State, where he has compiled a 447-223 mark. He said he has no intention of stepping down and is 'ready to go' to rebuild the Cyclones' fortunes after a disappointing 2015-16 campaign that ended with a 13-17 record. It was the Cyclones' first losing season since 2002-03 and only the second in his tenure at Iowa State.

'I am who I am,' he said. 'If it gets to a point where what I do and how I do it is not right anymore, somebody will make that decision (that he no longer coaches). But I can honestly, honestly look myself in the mirror and look at the players that I've coached and they know that I love them, that I care for them and that I'll do anything for them.

'Sometimes, like being a parent, it's tough. There's tough love involved. That's the nature of the way I coach. I treated our sons the same way.'

Fennelly said he has received an outpouring of support from the Iowa State administration, former and current players, and the Cyclone fan base. He mentioned former coaches Dan McCarney, Fred Hoiberg, Greg McDermott and Paul Rhoads have called to offer their support. Iowa State men's basketball coach Steve Prohm was on hand at the press conference.

'When people come to support you, it means a lot,' Fennelly said. 'They don't have to do that. You can stay to the side and not be involved in it. But, luckily, that's not the kind of people I have surrounded myself with.'