Lisa Fortier receives a nomination
Just earlier today, HerHoops announced their 2025 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Preseason Watch List and Gonzaga fans will be delighted to see Lisa Fortier’s name on that list.
Lisa actually won this award last season, which was the first time it was given by the Her Hoops community, and so it’s really exciting to see her have the opportunity to go back-back, something that would be even better if Yvonne Ejim can take home her award again.
Fortier and the rest of the coaching staff will have their work cut out this season and while it’s impossible to know what requirements need to be filled in order to win, if she can guide this team back to the NCAA Tournament, I think she’ll have a strong case.
In addition to Coach Fortier, I’d also like to highlight some other names including in this announcement:
Joddie Gleason – Eastern Washington
The Zags played Eastern last year and will be facing off against them again in the Bulldogs’ last game before kicking off WCC play. The Eagles went 29-6 (16-2), won both the Big Sky regular season and conference tournament, earned the #14 seed in NCAA Tournament where the fell in first road against an Oregon State team that made it all the way to Elite Eight. Joddie has been at Cheney now for three years and has essentially transformed this team as they’ve improved from 9-21 to 19-11 to 29-6. Eastern has been predicted to finish the season first in the Big Sky in the Preseason Coaches Poll and second in the Preseason Media Poll so Zags better watch out.
Aaron Johnston – South Dakota State
Unfortunately, SDSU aren’t on the Bulldogs’ docket this year as the Jackrabbits look like they have the makings of a wonderful team for the ‘24-25 season. They finished last season 27-6 (16-0), won the Summit league regular season and conference tournament to earn their bid for the NCAA Tournament where they would eventually fall to the Utah Utes. They’re bringing back a largely intact team including stud sisters Brooklyn and Paige Meyer that combined for an average of 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. Brooklyn in particular has been getting some national acclaim as she, like Yvonne Ejim, was named to Her Hoops’ Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Preseason Watch List as well as the Preseason Summit League Player of the Year.