Georgia Tech women’s basketball coach retires, citing changing climate around college sports
Fortner finishes six-year stint in Atlanta with winning record
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia Tech women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner is going out on her terms.
After six seasons at Georgia Tech, including three NCAA tournament berths and a trip to the sweet sixteen—the evolving landscape around college sports became too much to bear.
“The atmosphere today around college athletics, it’s not for me,” Fortner said flatly Tuesday. “It’s changing so much.”
RELATED: Georgia Tech coach Nell Fortner, who led US women to Olympic gold in 2000, announces retirement
Fortner led the Yellowjackets to a 110-75 (.575) record– including three 20-win seasons. But growing demands around collegiate NIL funds and transfer portal forced the veteran coach’s hand.
“It’s just time. It’s a new era, it’s time for a new voice,” Fortner added. “We ended it on a really fantastic season, that feels good. And to go out on my own terms…that feels good,” Fortner finished.
Assistant coach LaSondra Barrett has been elevated to Interim Head Coach as the school searches for a new leader.
Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.
