[1] Mangina was first a star basketball and softball player at Seton Hall, and later returned to her alma mater as an assistant, before assuming a leading role as head coach in 1985.
[3] At Seton Hall University, a Catholic university in nearby South Orange, Mangina played at point guard on the Seton Hall Pirates women's basketball team from 1977 to 1981, during which Seton Hall went 93–28 and made the postseason every year, including the 1978 AIAW national final.
[6] As head coach of Seton Hall from 1985 to 2010, Mangina led Seton Hall to two NCAA tournament appearances (1994 and 1995) and three Women's National Invitation Tournament appearances (2003, 2004, and 2007).
She coached three honorable mention All-Americans and 18 All Big East selections.
[6] After the 1997–98 season, in which the team finished 8–19,[1] five players, including leading scorer Danielle Golay and starting point guard Christine Koren, decided to transfer.