Carly Thibault-DuDonis has quickly built Fairfield University into one of the premier mid-major programs in women’s college basketball. In just four seasons as head coach, she has led the Stags to three straight MAAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, establishing a culture of consistency and winning that has elevated Fairfield onto the national stage. Year after year, the Stags have continued to dominate the conference while earning recognition as one of the best mid-major teams in the country.

What separates Fairfield is its offensive identity. The Stags have consistently ranked near the top of the nation in both three-point percentage and total three-pointers made, thriving in a modern 5-out offensive system that emphasizes spacing, ball movement, and player freedom. Fairfield’s ability to stretch defenses and create efficient offensive looks has made them one of the most entertaining and difficult teams to guard in the country, while also showcasing Thibault-DuDonis’ creativity and adaptability as a coach.

Now, the next step for the program is breaking through on the NCAA Tournament stage. Despite the program’s sustained success and conference dominance, Thibault-DuDonis is still chasing her first NCAA Tournament victory as a head coach. With key core pieces returning and the foundation of the program stronger than ever, Fairfield appears poised for another major run—and potentially the breakthrough moment that could take the Stags to an entirely new level nationally.

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