Diane Finnan had a successful playing career in the Big Ten Conference at Northwestern University. Upon graduation she began her coaching career and served as an assistant coach at George Washington University, where she received a graduate degree in Human Development in Education. After her stint with the Lady Colonials, she joined the Georgetown University women’s basketball team as an assistant coach and helped guide the team to a Sweet Sixteen appearance. Finnan became the head coach of the Centenary women’s basketball team in 1995 after the squad won five contests in 1994. She led the team to a 15-8 mark her first year and finished her tenure with double-digit victories all five seasons as head coach, including a program-best 22 wins in 1997-98.
Finnan led the Cyclones to four-straight Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championships from 1996-97 through 1999-2000 and was a three-time WIAC Coach of the Year, winning three consecutive years, from 1996-97 to 1999-2000. She coached an ECAC Metro Rookie of the Year (Mona Ressaissi, 1995) and a WIAC MVP (Mary Christy, 1999-2000).
In 1997-98, Finnan guided the team to the National Small College Athletic Association (NSCAA) Championship game and a 22-6 overall record. For their efforts, the squad was named New Jersey College Basketball Coaches Association (NJCBA) Team of the Year. The following season she led Centenary to a 20-5 record, including a 10-1 mark in the Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and a conference championship.
In 1999-2000, Finnan’s team won 17 games and received the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. She finished her coaching career with an impressive 89-36 overall record, which at the time put her in 37th-place in the NCAA in winning percentage among active coaches.
In 1998, Finnan became the Director of Athletics at Centenary and stayed in that position through 2005. During that time she was instrumental in the rise of the school’s athletics programs including a significant increase in recruitment and retention of student-athletes. In addition, Finnan implemented required study hall, transitioned the coaching staff from part-time to full-time positions, and championed for facility improvements that meet NCAA regulations.
Finnan now serves as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategic Branding at Centenary. She has grown the College's enrollment from under 500 students in 1994 to over 3,000 students, while actively working to ensure that the athletic programs obtain everything they need to be successful.
