Brittany Whalen is in her third season as the Mighty Macs' head women's basketball coach in 2025-26.
Whalen, a graduate from Immaculata in 2015, was a four-year member of the women’s basketball and softball teams. Following graduation, she returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach for the University from 2015 through 2018 before ultimately taking on the head coaching role in 2023 following a career change.
In her inaugural season as head coach in 2023-2024, Whalen guided the Mighty Macs to a solid 15-11 overall record, with a 7-3 mark in Atlantic East Conference play. The Mighty Macs secured the second seed and hosted a Conference semifinal game before falling just short.
During that season, Whalen’s leadership helped guide her athletes to receive multiple player recognition within the conference including honors for Atlantic East Defensive Player of the Year, one First Team selection, and two earning Second Team selections. Off the court, Whalen’s team excelled academically, finishing with the highest GPA for women's basketball in the Atlantic East Conference. Additionally, three players were named to the College Sports Communicators All-District Academic Team, and ten student-athletes earned spots on the All-Atlantic East Academic Team.
In her second season as head coach, Whalen led the Mighty Macs to an outstanding 22-4 overall record, including a perfect 10-0 mark in Atlantic East Conference regular season play. She guided a team that hosted and won the Conference Championship, finishing with an undefeated 12-0 record in the Atlantic East and a flawless 14-0 at home.
Throughout the 2024-2025 season, Whalen played a pivotal role in the development of her athletes, mentoring two All-Atlantic East Conference First Team selections, two Second Team honorees, as well as the Atlantic East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. To cap it off, Whalen and her staff earned Coaching Staff of the Year recognition for the season.Whalen was named City of Basketball Love Coach of the Year for 2024-25.
Additional milestones from this historic campaign include the program's first 20-win season since 1976, a four-week consecutive regional ranking in Region V, and the second NCAA appearance in program history. Academically, the team excelled as well, with 12 student-athletes named to the All-Academic Team, 9 earning spots on the University Dean’s List (3.7 GPA or above), and 4 being honored with selections to the College Sports Communicators All-Academic Team.
During her time as a player with the Immaculata Women’s Basketball team, Whalen (Merkle) played in 95 games while starting in 56 and scored 660 points while grabbing 575 rebounds. She was a Second Team All-Conference selection in 2014-15 and helped lead the Mighty Macs to two consecutive CSAC Championship games during her final two seasons.
In her three years as an Assistant Coach, Whalen (Merkle) helped with individual skill development and was responsible for scouting and player recruitment, and review of game films.
Whalen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, Pre-Occupational Therapy from Immaculata in 2015, and an Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant from Harcum College in 2018. Whalen currently resides in Wilmington, DE with her husband, Dan, a former Immaculata University student as well as 4-year baseball player for the Mighty Macs.
