Van Chancellor enshrined as a coach in 2007

Van Chancellor

Enshrined 2007

Born: September 27, 1943
Louisville, MS

Van Chancellor and the Houston Comets hit the ground running in 1997. Under Chancellor's leadership, the Comets won the first four WNBA championships (1997-2000), and were the only team to make the playoffs in each of the first seven seasons of the new league. In addition, the 1998 Comets hold the record for the highest winning percentage in the history of NBA and WNBA basketball (27-3, .900 winning percentage). Serving as head coach of the Comets for ten years, Chancellor lead the Comets to a 211-111 overall record (1997-2006). He was named WNBA coach of the year three times (1997, 1998, 1999). Prior to coming to the pro ranks, Chancellor, a native of Louisville, Mississippi, won 439 games as the head women's coach at Ole Miss (1978-1997). Chancellor guided the Lady Rebels to the NCAA Tournament 14 times, including eleven consecutive appearances from 1982 to 1992. Chancellor's teams won at least 20 games fifteen times, including a school-record 31 wins in 1978-1979. He led Ole Miss to the Elite Eight at the NCAA Tournament on four occassions. Similarly successful on the international stage, Chancellor coached the undefeated United States gold medal team at the 2004 Olympic Games, and has a spotless 38-0 record in international competition.