Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women’s Basketball Coach Keith Mondillo reveled in accomplishment after today’s 84-83 overtime victory at Atlantic East Conference (AEC) rival – and defending champion – Immaculata University as the Griffin patriarch enjoyed his 500th career victory.
The accomplishment, is one earned by only 54 other coaches in the history of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and stands as an exclamation point on a brilliant 27-year career that includes a remarkable 329-81 (.802) conference record, 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 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women’s Basketball Championship opposite the same Mighty Macs – and were in the finals for 13-straight years between 1998 and 2010.
Coach Mondillo took over the Gwynedd Mercy University women’s basketball program prior to the 1995-1996 season. During his tenure, Coach Mondillo has transformed the Griffin program into a regional and national 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. Coach 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 a perfect 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.
Coach Mondillo’s record to date – 500-237 – ties him for 61st in winning percentage (.678) and 19th in wins (500) among active DIII women’s basketball coaches. He celebrated his 400th win on December 29, 2015 with a victory over King’s College (Pa.) (W, 54-44) and his 300th win on January 30, 2010, with a victory over Marywood University (W, 84-72).
Mondillo serves on several NCAA committees, including the NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee for Division III and the Mid-Atlantic Region Ranking Committee, for which he serves as Chair Person. From 2005-2009 he served on the NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee, which spans Divisions I, II, & III.
Off the court, he has been recognized for his coaching and playing tenure with a Philadelphia 21st Ward Athletic Association Hall of Fame selection in 2009, a Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame selection in 2014, and a Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame selection in 2016.
