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Lin Dunn
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Lin Dunn (born May 10, 1947)[1] is an American women's basketball executive and former coach, who is currently a senior advisor with the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. She was recently the general manager of the Fever.[2] She is most known for being the first coach and general manager for the Seattle Storm. She guided Indiana Fever to their first ever WNBA title. She has more than 500 wins to her name.
Key Information
A native of Dresden, Tennessee, Dunn graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1969. She coached for decades in the college ranks, amassing a 447–257 record in 25 seasons as a college head coach. In her tenure at Austin Peay State University (1970–1976), the University of Mississippi (1977–1978), the University of Miami (1978–1987) and Purdue University (1987–1996), she made the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship seven times, and the Final Four once, in 1994 with Purdue. She is in the Athletics Hall of Fame at both Austin Peay and Miami. Dunn also was president of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association in 1984–85.
Dunn was abruptly fired at Purdue after the 1995–96 season, but resurfaced in the pros with the American Basketball League's Portland Power in 1996. She was ABL's coach of the year in 1998, right before that league folded. Dunn then became the first coach and GM of the expansion Seattle Storm in the ABL's rival, the WNBA. Her folksy southern personality was a hit in urbane Seattle, with fans often wearing Dunn masks and quoting her rustic aphorisms. The team started with a dismal 6–26 season.
Dunn left the Storm just as it was starting to have success. New superstars Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird led the team to the 2002 playoffs, where they were swept by the Los Angeles Sparks. Dunn then resigned, leaving the path open for Anne Donovan to build a championship team just two seasons later.
Dunn is a former head coach of the Indiana Fever.[3] Dunn won the WNBA championship with the Fever on October 21, 2012.
On May 6, 2014, Dunn announced her retirement from coaching at the end of the year.
On June 14, 2014, Dunn was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.[4]
On May 24, 2016, she was introduced as an assistant coach for Matthew Mitchell at Kentucky.[5] On May 26, 2017, UK Athletics announced that Coach Dunn had signed a one-year contract extension.[6]
In 2018, her role at Kentucky changed to special assistant to the head coach.[7]
On February 14, 2022, Dunn left her role at Kentucky to become Interim General Manager of the Indiana Fever. In explaining her decision, she stated, "I wouldn't come back to another franchise. This would be the only place that I would consider coming out of retirement for."[8][2]
Dunn was named the permanent General Manager of the Indiana Fever on January 20, 2023.
On October 4, 2024, Dunn moved to a senior advisor position.[9]
USA Basketball
[edit]In 1990, Dunn was the assistant coach for the USA National team at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The team, behind the 22 point per game scoring of Teresa Edwards, won all eight contests, with only the win over Cuba decided by single digits. The USA team faced Yugoslavia in the gold medal game, and won 88–78.[10]
In 1995, Dunn served as the head coach to the R. William Jones Cup Team. The competition was held in Taipei, Taiwan. The USA team won its first six games, but four of the six were won by single-digit margins. Their seventh game was against Russia, and they fell 100–84. The final game was against South Korea, and a victory would assure the gold medal, but the South Korean team won 80–76 to win the gold medal. The USA team won the bronze medal.[11]
Head coaching record
[edit]College
[edit]| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Peay Lady Governors (Ohio Valley Conference) (1970–1976) | |||||||||
| Austin Peay: | 67–55 (.549) | ||||||||
| Ole Miss Rebels (Southeastern Conference) (1977–1978) | |||||||||
| 1977–78 | Ole Miss | 25–15 | N/A | AIAW State Tournament Champion AIAW Region III Runner-up AIAW National Tournament | |||||
| Ole Miss: | 25–15 (.625) | ||||||||
| Miami Hurricanes (FAIAW) (1978–1982) | |||||||||
| 1978–79 | Miami (FL) | 10–13 | N/A | ||||||
| 1979–80 | Miami (FL) | 18–16 | N/A | ||||||
| 1980–81 | Miami (FL) | 24–15 | N/A | ||||||
| 1981–82 | Miami (FL) | 19–10 | N/A | ||||||
| Miami Hurricanes (NCAA Division I independent) (1982–1987) | |||||||||
| 1982–83 | Miami (FL) | 14–13 | N/A | ||||||
| 1983–84 | Miami (FL) | 19–12 | N/A | ||||||
| 1984–85 | Miami (FL) | 21–7 | N/A | ||||||
| 1985–86 | Miami (FL) | 9–18 | N/A | ||||||
| 1986–87 | Miami (FL) | 15–15 | N/A | ||||||
| Miami (FL): | 149–119 (.556) | ||||||||
| Purdue Boilermakers (Big Ten Conference) (1987–1996) | |||||||||
| 1987–88 | Purdue | 21–10 | 13–5 | 3rd | NWIT Second Place | ||||
| 1988–89 | Purdue | 24–6 | 14–4 | 3rd | NCAA Second Round (Bye) | ||||
| 1989–90 | Purdue | 23–7 | 14–4 | 3rd | NCAA Sweet Sixteen | ||||
| 1990–91 | Purdue | 26–3 | 17–1 | 1st | NCAA Second Round (Bye) | ||||
| 1991–92 | Purdue | 23–7 | 14–4 | 2nd | NCAA Sweet Sixteen | ||||
| 1992–93 | Purdue | 16–11 | 8–10 | 6th | |||||
| 1993–94 | Purdue | 29–5 | 16–2 | T-1st | NCAA Final Four | ||||
| 1994–95 | Purdue | 24–8 | 13–3 | T-1st | NCAA Elite Eight | ||||
| 1995–96 | Purdue | 20–11 | 11–5 | 4th | NCAA First Round | ||||
| Purdue: | 206–68 (.752) | ||||||||
| Total: | 447–257 (.635) | ||||||||
|
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
| |||||||||
Professional
[edit]| Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
| Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
| Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POR | 1996–97 | 18 | 9 | 9 | .500 | 4th in West | |||||
| POR | 1997–98 | 44 | 27 | 17 | .614 | 1st in West | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost Western Conference Semi-Finals |
| POR | 1998 | 13 | 9 | 4 | .692 | Season cancelled | |||||
| SEA | 2000 | 32 | 6 | 26 | .188 | 8th in West | |||||
| SEA | 2001 | 32 | 10 | 22 | .313 | 8th in West | |||||
| SEA | 2002 | 32 | 17 | 15 | .531 | 4th in West | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost Western Conference Semi-Finals |
| IND | 2008 | 34 | 17 | 17 | .500 | 4th in East | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | Lost Eastern Conference Semi-Finals |
| IND | 2009 | 34 | 22 | 12 | .647 | 1st in East | 10 | 6 | 4 | .600 | Lost WNBA Finals |
| IND | 2010 | 34 | 21 | 13 | .618 | 3rd in East | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | Lost Eastern Conference Semi-Finals |
| IND | 2011 | 34 | 21 | 13 | .618 | 1st in East | 6 | 3 | 3 | .500 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| IND | 2012 | 34 | 22 | 12 | .647 | 2nd in East | 10 | 7 | 3 | .700 | Won WNBA Finals |
| IND | 2013 | 34 | 16 | 18 | .471 | 4th in East | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| IND | 2014 | 34 | 16 | 18 | .471 | 2nd in East | 5 | 3 | 2 | .600 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| Career | 409 | 213 | 196 | .521 | 45 | 23 | 22 | .511 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Women's Basketball Coaches Career". NCAA. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
- ^ a b "Dunn says role as Fever GM her 'final final tour'". ESPN.com. February 24, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ Lin Dunn Archived 2010-10-09 at the Wayback Machine. WNBA.com
- ^ "Dunn Inducted to Women's Basketball Hall of Fame". www.purduesports.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- ^ "Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Lin Dunn Joins Mitchell's Staff". UK Athletics. University of Kentucky. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ^ "Lin Dunn Signs Contract Extension". UK Athletics. University of Kentucky. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^ "Lin Dunn". University of Kentucky. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ "Kentucky Women's Basketball". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ "Indiana Fever Name Amber Cox Chief Operating Officer and General Manager". fever.wnba.com. October 4, 2024.
- ^ "ELEVENTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN -- 1990". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ "1995 WOMEN'S R. WILLIAM JONES CUP". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on April 28, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
Lin Dunn
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Early years
Lin Dunn was born on May 10, 1947, in Dresden, Tennessee, though she spent her early childhood in Florence, Alabama.[3][8] As the first-born child and first grandchild in her family, she was initially spoiled, but her upbringing instilled a strong sense of determination.[9] Her father, a Marine and an SEC champion high hurdler at Vanderbilt University, encouraged athletic pursuits, fostering a family environment where Dunn learned she could achieve anything despite societal limitations.[4] Growing up in the rural South during the 1950s and 1960s, Dunn faced significant barriers to girls' sports in a pre-Title IX era, where opportunities were scarce and often legally restricted.[10] In Alabama, interscholastic basketball for girls was illegal, leaving no organized teams in elementary or junior high school, and myths about women's physical limitations—such as excessive sweating causing fainting—further discouraged participation.[4] Her family relocated to Tennessee ahead of her junior year of high school specifically to access sports programs, allowing her to play for two years in a limited 6-on-6 half-court format that emphasized passing over dribbling.[10] Dunn's initial exposure to basketball came through informal backyard play with her brother, where she honed self-taught skills and developed a fierce competitive spirit against constant "no's" from a male-dominated sports culture.[4] These evening competitions, which included basketball alongside other activities like tennis and even pole vaulting, built her resilience and passion for the sport, as she observed and emulated professional players without formal coaching.[4] The lack of structured programs only fueled her stubborn determination to pursue athletics, setting the stage for her future involvement in women's basketball.[9]Academic background
Lin Dunn earned a bachelor's degree in health, physical education, and English from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1969.[11] She pursued and completed a master's degree in physical education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville the following year.[12] During her undergraduate years at UT Martin from 1965 to 1969, Dunn engaged actively in the campus athletic department under the guidance of physical education instructor and women's athletic director Bettye Giles.[13] Lacking formal varsity teams for women, she participated in intramural sports, including tennis, volleyball, and basketball, which highlighted the era's limitations on women's competitive athletics.[14] These experiences fueled her advocacy for expanded opportunities, as she challenged the prevailing views that deemed intercollegiate sports too strenuous for women, positioning her at the forefront of early pushes for gender equity in athletics.[13] Giles later recalled Dunn's determination, noting, "Lin was at the forefront of that. She couldn’t understand it and didn’t think it was right."[13] Dunn's academic training in physical education directly informed her initial career goals of teaching and coaching upon graduation, providing a foundation in sports pedagogy and administration that propelled her into roles advancing women's athletics.[15] Her studies emphasized the value of structured physical activity for women, aligning with her aspirations to foster competitive environments beyond intramurals and contribute to the emerging field of women's sports governance.[13]Coaching career
College coaching
Lin Dunn began her college coaching career at Austin Peay State University in 1970, where she founded the women's basketball program prior to the enactment of Title IX.[16] Serving also as a physical education instructor and cheerleader supervisor, she built the program from the ground up by raising funds for basic equipment like uniforms, achieving a 93–46 record over five seasons while contributing to the growth of women's athletics at the institution.[4] In 1977, Dunn moved to the University of Mississippi, where she coached for one season (1977–78) and compiled a 25–15 record, advancing program development and earning recognition as Mississippi Coach of the Year after leading the Rebels to a national ranking of 12th.[17] Dunn's tenure at the University of Miami from 1978 to 1987 spanned 10 seasons, during which she posted a 149–119 record and elevated the Hurricanes to national prominence.[18] She focused on player development, becoming the first coach there to award scholarships to women's basketball players, and guided the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program's first Associated Press Top 20 ranking in 1985.[19] From 1987 to 1996, Dunn served as head coach at Purdue University, amassing a 206–68 record over nine seasons and establishing the Boilermakers as a powerhouse in women's basketball.[2] Her teams secured three Big Ten Conference titles, made seven NCAA Tournament berths, and reached the Final Four in 1994, highlighting her emphasis on disciplined training and strategic recruiting.[4] Throughout her 25-year college career, Dunn compiled an overall record of 447–257, yielding a .635 winning percentage across four institutions, where she left Austin Peay, Miami, and Purdue as the all-time winningest coach.[5] As a Title IX pioneer, she advocated fiercely for equity in women's sports, implementing innovative recruiting tactics to attract talent and fostering comprehensive training regimens that prioritized skill-building and team cohesion during the era's expansion of opportunities for female athletes.[15] Following her time at Purdue, Dunn transitioned to professional leagues.Professional coaching
Lin Dunn transitioned to professional women's basketball coaching following her college tenure, serving as both head coach and general manager for the Portland Power in the American Basketball League (ABL) from 1996 to 1998. She assumed the head coaching role midway through the 1996–97 season, compiling a 9–9 record that year before guiding the team to a 27–17 mark and the Western Conference championship in 1997–98, a remarkable improvement from the league's worst record the prior season.[20][21] Her leadership earned her the ABL Coach of the Year award in 1998, just before the league folded.[5] Dunn continued in the professional ranks as the inaugural head coach and general manager of the WNBA's expansion Seattle Storm from 2000 to 2002. Amid the league's growth, she focused on establishing the franchise's foundation, achieving a 33–63 regular-season record over three seasons, including a playoff appearance in 2002 after records of 6–26 in 2000 and 10–22 in 2001.[3][22] She resigned from both positions in September 2002 to pursue other opportunities.[23] She joined the Indiana Fever as an assistant coach from 2004 to 2007 before returning as head coach in 2008, where she served until her retirement at the end of the 2014 season, compiling a 112–71 regular-season record and leading the team to the playoffs in each of her seven years.[3] Under her guidance, the Fever won their first WNBA championship in 2012, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in a best-of-five series, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009 and 2011.[24] Across her professional head coaching career spanning the ABL and WNBA, Dunn amassed an 181–160 record (.531 winning percentage).[2] In her professional roles, Dunn adapted to the demands of league operations by managing rosters through drafts, trades, and free-agent signings while serving as general manager, a dual responsibility that emphasized strategic player development and team composition over the more academic focus of college coaching.[5] She also navigated heightened media relations, leveraging her approachable style to build fan engagement in new markets like Seattle.[13] After retiring from head coaching, Dunn joined the University of Kentucky as an assistant coach from 2016 to 2022, contributing to program strategy before transitioning back to the WNBA.[25] She served as interim general manager of the Indiana Fever in 2022, becoming permanent in 2023, and oversaw key draft selections including Aliyah Boston in 2023 and Caitlin Clark in 2024 to rebuild the roster. In October 2024, she moved to the role of senior advisor to Fever basketball operations, a position she holds as of 2025.[26]International involvement
USA Basketball roles
Lin Dunn's involvement with USA Basketball began in the early 1990s, stemming from her successful domestic coaching career at the collegiate level, which positioned her as a qualified candidate for national team roles. She served eight years on the USA Basketball Team Selection Committee, contributing to the identification and development of talent during a pivotal era for women's international competition.[2][21] In 1990, Dunn joined the coaching staff as an assistant for the USA women's national team at the FIBA World Championship held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The team secured the gold medal, defeating Yugoslavia 88–78 in the final, with Dunn helping to implement strategies that leveraged the squad's depth and athleticism.[21] That same year, Dunn served on the coaching staff for the USA team at the Goodwill Games in Seattle, Washington, where the team won gold.[21] Dunn returned as an assistant coach for the 1992 USA Olympic team in Barcelona, Spain, led by head coach Theresa Grentz. The selection process, in which Dunn participated as a committee member, focused on assembling the 12 best players by blending veteran leaders with emerging talents who could adapt to specific roles, emphasizing versatility amid growing global competition. Team dynamics were marked by players' willingness to embrace assigned responsibilities, fostering cohesion despite challenges like integrating professionals and amateurs; the squad ultimately earned a bronze medal after a semifinal loss to the Unified Team.[27][11] In 1995, Dunn took on her first head coaching assignment with USA Basketball, leading the team at the R. William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan, with assistants Amy Ruley and Trudi Lacey. Preparation involved assembling a roster of collegiate and post-collegiate players for intensive training to build chemistry and tactical execution against international opponents. The team won its first six games—four by single digits—before falling to South Korea in the bronze medal game, highlighting competitive depth but underscoring the need for refined closing strategies.[21][12]International achievements
As assistant coach for the USA women's national team at the 1990 FIBA World Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Lin Dunn contributed to an undefeated 8-0 run that secured the gold medal, marking the United States' fifth world title.[28] The team dominated preliminary rounds with decisive victories, culminating in an 88-78 final win over Yugoslavia, where standout performances included Teresa Edwards averaging 21.3 points per game and Katrina McClain contributing 13.8 points per game, showcasing the squad's depth and execution under the coaching staff's guidance.[28][21] In the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, Dunn's contributions as part of the coaching staff helped the USA team secure gold, further solidifying her impact on international competition.[21] In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Dunn served as assistant coach for the USA team, which earned bronze amid intensified global competition following the inclusion of professional players from other nations, including the dominant Unified Team (former Soviet states) that claimed gold.[27] The Americans faced challenges from taller and more athletic international opponents, requiring strategic adjustments in player roles and adaptability; Dunn emphasized blending veteran experience with emerging talent to navigate these hurdles, helping secure third place after a semifinal loss.[27][21] Dunn took the helm as head coach for the 1995 R. William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan, leading the USA to a bronze medal in the annual invitational round-robin tournament featuring top international teams.[21] Standout moments included competitive wins in early matches that highlighted the team's resilience, though a late loss prevented a higher finish; the event underscored Dunn's ability to integrate collegiate talent effectively against diverse opponents.[5] Dunn's international coaching roles during the 1990s played a pivotal role in elevating USA women's basketball on the global stage, coinciding with the sport's rising prominence through increased professionalism and competitive depth, as evidenced by the transition from gold in 1990 to bronze placements that spurred further development leading into the 1996 Olympic gold.[10][27]Awards and honors
Hall of Fame inductions
Lin Dunn has been inducted into several prestigious halls of fame, recognizing her pioneering contributions to women's basketball as a coach at both collegiate and professional levels. These honors highlight her impact from early program-building efforts to leading a WNBA championship team.[2] In 1980, Dunn was inducted into the Austin Peay State University Athletic Hall of Fame for her foundational role in establishing modern women's athletics at the institution, where she began coaching in 1970 amid limited opportunities for women's sports.[16] Dunn's alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Martin, inducted her into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, honoring her distinguished coaching career that built on her undergraduate experiences in health and physical education from the school in 1969.[14] That same year, 2010, she was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating her Tennessee roots as a native of Dresden and her statewide influence in advancing women's basketball through innovative coaching and leadership.[21] The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame welcomed Dunn in 2010, acknowledging her success as head coach of the Indiana Fever, including guiding the team to the 2012 WNBA championship and multiple playoff appearances.[29] In 2003, Dunn was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame for her tenure as head coach from 1978 to 1987, where she compiled a 215–119 record, led the Hurricanes to national prominence including a No. 20 AP ranking in 1985, and left as the program's all-time winningest coach.[30] Dunn was inducted into the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012, recognizing her nine seasons (1987–1996) that produced a 206–58 record, three Big Ten titles, a 1994 NCAA Final Four appearance, and development of multiple All-Americans.[5] Culminating her career accolades, Dunn was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, a recognition of her overall lifetime contributions to the sport, spanning over four decades of coaching that included NCAA tournament successes at Purdue and professional triumphs in the WNBA.[2]Coaching awards
During her tenure at Purdue University from 1987 to 1996, Lin Dunn was named Big Ten Coach of the Year twice, in 1989 and 1991, recognizing her leadership in securing three conference titles, including the program's first outright championship in 1991.[15][11] Earlier in her college career, Dunn earned regional accolades, including Florida Coach of the Year in 1981 while at the University of Miami, where she built the program to a 24-15 season, and Mississippi Coach of the Year in 1978 at the University of Mississippi following a 25-15 record in the 1977–78 season.[31][17] In professional basketball, Dunn took over as head coach of the American Basketball League's Portland Power mid-way through the 1996–97 season, leading the team to a 9–9 record in her 18 games and an overall 14–26 mark. The following season, she guided the Power to a 27–17 regular-season record, the Western Conference championship, and the ABL Finals before the league folded, earning ABL Coach of the Year honors in 1998.[2][32] In the WNBA, Dunn finished as runner-up for Coach of the Year twice: first in 2002 with the Seattle Storm, after leading the expansion team to a 16-16 record and its inaugural playoff appearance, and again in 2009 with the Indiana Fever, where her strategic adjustments propelled the team to a 22-12 mark and the Eastern Conference finals.[24][29][11] In 2016, Dunn received the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Jostens-Berenson Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifelong commitment to advancing women's basketball through coaching, leadership, and advocacy.[33] On August 12, 2025, the Indiana Fever honored Dunn with their inaugural Inspiring Women Award, recognizing her barrier-breaking career and ongoing influence as a senior advisor at age 78.[7]Head coaching record
College
Lin Dunn's college head coaching career spanned 25 seasons across four institutions, compiling an overall record of 447–257. Her records by school were Austin Peay State University (1970–1976): 67–55; University of Mississippi (1977–1978): 25–15; University of Miami (1978–1987): 149–119; and Purdue University (1987–1996): 206–68, including a 125–35 mark in Big Ten Conference play.[11][6][18][17][29] Detailed season-by-season statistics are available for her NCAA Division I tenure at Miami and Purdue. The table below lists those records.| Season | School | Overall Record | Conference Record | Postseason Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982-83 | Miami (FL) | 14–13 | N/A | None |
| 1983-84 | Miami (FL) | 19–12 | N/A | None |
| 1984-85 | Miami (FL) | 21–7 | N/A | None |
| 1985-86 | Miami (FL) | 9–18 | N/A | None |
| 1986-87 | Miami (FL) | 15–15 | N/A | None |
| 1987-88 | Purdue | 21–10 | 13–5 | None |
| 1988-89 | Purdue | 24–6 | 15–3 | NCAA Tournament (Second Round) |
| 1989-90 | Purdue | 23–7 | 14–4 | NCAA Tournament (Second Round) |
| 1990-91 | Purdue | 26–3 | 16–2 | NCAA Tournament (Elite Eight); Big Ten Regular Season Champion |
| 1991-92 | Purdue | 23–7 | 14–4 | NCAA Tournament (Second Round) |
| 1992-93 | Purdue | 16–11 | 9–9 | None |
| 1993-94 | Purdue | 29–5 | 17–1 | NCAA Tournament (Final Four); Big Ten Regular Season Champion |
| 1994-95 | Purdue | 24–8 | 16–2 | NCAA Tournament (Sweet Sixteen); Big Ten Regular Season Champion |
| 1995-96 | Purdue | 20–11 | 11–5 | NCAA Tournament (Second Round) |
Professional
Lin Dunn's professional head coaching career in the American Basketball League (ABL) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) featured stints with three teams, where she emphasized defensive strategies and player development while also serving in general manager roles for the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever.[5][3]| Years | Team | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | Portland Power | ABL | 9–9 | — | Took over as head coach mid-season, replacing Greg Bruce; team overall 14–26, no playoffs.[20][32] |
| 1997–98 | Portland Power | ABL | 27–17 | 0–2 | Western Conference champions; lost ABL Championship Series; ABL Coach of the Year.[35][5][36] |
| 2000 | Seattle Storm | WNBA | 6–26 | — | Inaugural season as head coach and GM; no playoffs.[3] |
| 2001 | Seattle Storm | WNBA | 10–22 | — | No playoffs.[3][37] |
| 2002 | Seattle Storm | WNBA | 17–15 | 0–2 | First playoff appearance; lost Western Conference Semifinals.[3] |
| 2008 | Indiana Fever | WNBA | 17–17 | 1–2 | First season as head coach; lost Eastern Conference Semifinals.[3][24] |
| 2009 | Indiana Fever | WNBA | 22–12 | 6–4 | Eastern Conference champions; lost WNBA Finals.[3] |
| 2010 | Indiana Fever | WNBA | 21–13 | 1–2 | Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals.[3] |
| 2011 | Indiana Fever | WNBA | 21–13 | 3–3 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals.[3] |
| 2012 | Indiana Fever | WNBA | 22–12 | 7–3 | WNBA champions; defeated Minnesota Lynx in Finals.[3][24] |
| 2013 | Indiana Fever | WNBA | 16–18 | 2–2 | Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals.[3] |
| 2014 | Indiana Fever | WNBA | 16–18 | 3–2 | Final season as head coach before retirement; lost Eastern Conference Finals.[3][38] |
- Regular Season: 204–192 (.515 winning percentage) across ABL and WNBA.
- Portland Power: 36–26
- Seattle Storm: 33–63
- Indiana Fever: 135–103
- Playoffs: 23–22 (.511 winning percentage).
- Portland Power: 0–2
- Seattle Storm: 0–2
- Indiana Fever: 23–18 [3][35][32]