Iowa State women's basketball coach Bill Fennelly will miss the start of the season because he is in a 14-day quarantine period after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Fennelly said Monday that he has tested negative, but is following medical protocol to isolate. Associate head coach Jodi Steyer will take over head-coaching duties while Fennelly, 63, is in quarantine.
Fennelly, who took over the Cyclones in 1995, is the longest tenured basketball coach -- men's or women's -- in the Big 12.
No. 15-ranked Iowa State is scheduled to start the season Wednesday against Omaha in Ames, Iowa.
Fennelly might be able to return for the Cyclones' Dec. 6 game against No. 1-ranked South Carolina when the Gamecocks visit Ames.
"I am thankful to have an amazing staff to manage the program while I'm away," Fennelly said in a statement. "It will be hard to miss games, but I will watch and cheer along with the best fans in the nation. Our focus continues to be, as always, on the team and we are committed to doing everything we can to allow them to play safely."