POMONA, Calif. – Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball head coach Danelle Bishop celebrated her 400^th career victory as a head coach on Saturday, thanks to a triumphant 71-36 win at San Francisco State. Bishop is the second-winningest coach in program history with 262 victories in the Green & Gold since 2010, while also logging 92 wins at Azusa Pacific (2003-07) and 46 at California Baptist (2007-10).
 
"Celebrating 400 wins is truly an incredible milestone!" said Bishop. "It reflects not only years of dedication and hard work, but also the amazing journey shared with outstanding assistants and talented student-athletes. When passion fuels your work and a strong culture thrives, success naturally follows. It's both humbling and exhilarating to reach this point."
 
Since joining Cal Poly Pomona ahead of the 2010-11 season, Bishop has helped restore Bronco basketball to one of the premier programs in the nation, leading the Broncos to eight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, including three Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights, and a Final Four finish in 2013-14. Now in her 14^th season at the helm for CPP, the Broncos have enjoyed a winning record in 12 of those campaigns (including the current 2024-25 season), highlighted by an impressive .662 overall winning percentage and a .691 winning percentage in conference competition.
 
Bishop has a proven history of sustained success, seeing a winning record in 18 of her 21 seasons as a head coach. In 2003-04, Bishop (née Liles) got her head coaching start at Azusa Pacific University at the age of 26, leading the Cougars to unprecedented heights with four straight 20-win seasons and four consecutive NAIA National Tournament berths. APU went 92-41 (a .692 winning percentage) during Bishop's run and finished with two "Sweet Sixteen'' finishes at the national tournament – a first for APU.
 
"Sustaining success over two decades is no small feat!" reflected Bishop. "My love for basketball is matched only by my love for people. Each player and coach I've encountered has taught me valuable lessons, shaping the vibrant culture we've built together."
 
Prior to joining the CPP program, Bishop was the head coach at California Baptist University in Riverside for three seasons from 2007-10. She was the first coach in program history to post consecutive winning seasons in 17 years, and she also earned the most wins in a two-year period in that span. In her first season (2007-08), the Lancers were just one win away from making their first trip to the national tournament since 1982. Whatever obstacles Bishop's teams have faced over the years certainly have not impacted their ability to succeed, as her teams have never had back-to-back seasons with a winning percentage below .600 since coming to Pomona.
 
"Success isn't always straightforward; true growth often comes from navigating challenges," continued Bishop. "Adversity has played a crucial role in our journey, turning obstacles into steppingstones."
 
Earlier this month, Bishop became the winningest conference coach in program history with her 197^th CCAA win, passing coaching great Darlene May's 196 wins. Bishop, now at 201, is just one win away from tying the all-time CCAA record (202), and two conference wins away from breaking the CCAA record.
 
"One of my greatest joys has been empowering the young women I've coached to believe in themselves," concluded Bishop. "Our strength lies not in a single standout player, but in the collective effort of a group unified by a common goal, supported by coaches who genuinely believe in them. I am incredibly grateful to have been surrounded by those who are committed and willing to invest in this journey. It's been an exhilarating ride, and I truly feel like we're just getting started!"
 
 
Bishop Bits

• 1st win came on November 7, 2003 with Azusa Pacific against Westminster University in Olympia, Washington.
• 100th win came on January 2, 2008 with California Baptist against Fresno Pacific.
• 200th win came on November 8, 2013 with Cal Poly Pomona against Simon Fraser.
• 300th win came on December 8^th, 2018 against Sonoma State.
• 400th win came on January 25^th, 2025 against San Francisco State.
• Owns an all-time record of 400-219 (.646) with a 201-90 (.691) in CCAA games.
• Bishop now ranks 26th among active DII coaches in career wins with 400.
• Has registered a winning record in 12 of her 14 seasons at CPP.
• Led the Broncos to eight NCAA Tournament appearances.