Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson (born October 18, 1951) is a former professional and college basketball coach. She coached the College of Charleston women's basketball (CoC), the University of South Carolina women's basketball (SC), and the professional Seattle Reign of the American Basketball League (ABL). Wilson would establish the program records for the most wins as a head coach at both the College of Charleston and South Carolina, and still owns the career wins totals at CoC. Wilson led both programs to numerous conference championships as well as AIAW and NCAA tournament appearances. Wilson has spent 30 years as a college head coach, compiling a record of 542–365 Early Years Born in Lake City, South Carolina, Wilson attended Lake City High School, graduating in 1969. She attended Coker College in Hartsville, SC, graduating in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education. She was a member of the college's first intercollegiate women's basketball team, and also competed in intercollegiate field hockey. She would later obtain her master's degree in Physical Education from The Citadel in 1982. College of Charleston (first stint) Soon after graduating from Coker College, Wilson was hired as an assistant coach for the College of Charleston women's basketball team in 1973. The team was then in the AIAW Division II. She worked for head coach Joan Cronan, and also coached the college's volleyball team. In 1976 Wilson succeeded Cronan as the head coach of the women's basketball program as Cronan focused more on her position as the Director of Women's Athletics. Wilson led the Cougars to quick success, leading the team to a 21–5 record her first season as head coach, and beginning with the 1979–80 season reached the AIAW Division II national championship game three years in a row. During this eight-season period at College of Charleston Wilson compiled a 193–64 record. Wilson was named the SCAIAW Coach of the Year three times, and shared National Coach of the Year honors in 1982. The success led Wilson to be offered the job to coach South Carolina in 1984.