The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Gail Goestenkors introductory press conference: Chris Plonsky and Gail Goestenkors quotes
04.05.2007 | Women's Basketball
WOMEN'S ATHLETICS DIRECTOR CHRIS PLONSKY
Opening statement: Thank you for everyone for being here. I could not have imagined a larger or more appropriate Texas-sized welcome for a very historic day. The University of Texas is a very special place and it attracts very special people. This process was very thorough and very diligent. Our goal was to move into the future for not just our women's athletics program, but with our flagship program, women's basketball, which years ago was the platform upon which much of what exists today in women's athletics at the college level started ...it started right here. This University had the commitment and the desire to prove that it could run programs of the first class. I am delighted that joining our Longhorns family is the finest basketball coach in the country, Gail Goestenkors.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH GAIL GOESTENKORS
Opening statement: Thank you! I wish I could see everybody, I'm sorry I'm sitting down because I'd love to see everybody. I want to thank everybody. Y'all, I feel at home! This makes me feel at home, and this is my home.
I'm so proud and so honored to be the new coach here at Texas. There has been such a tremendous tradition. Jody Conradt -- I have so much respect for her, always have, and always will. She's built a proud tradition here. I feel like she's handing the baton off to me. We've talked so many times. I'm just so excited to take the baton and run, and we will be running!
I had the great privilege of talking to the team yesterday. I know several of the players, and we talked about a lot of things. We talked about style of play and I said 'pressing, running, and trapping', and they got all excited and that got me excited.
Duke, it was a tough place more me to leave, as you may all know. It was a tough decision. I had been there for 15 years. But, I felt like it was really time for me to make a change and accept a new challenge. I've always had a special place in my heart for Texas, always. I can't explain why, maybe all of you can explain why -- it's just something that's in your heart.
When the opportunity became available, I knew it was something that I had to pursue, and I had to see if my heart still felt the same way. When I came here last week, Chris (Plonsky) made a good point. She said, 'You didn't come here to visit. You came here to validate your feelings.' That really hit home with me because that was so true. I knew deep in my heart that this is the place I wanted to really begin a new tradition and bring back the glory to what should be at Texas.
I've had the good fortune to meet such great people. There's such greatness here. Mack Brown -- now I know why he's such a great recruiter! He put the full-court press on me, I tell you what! He's excellent -- he's been texting me. Rick Barnes and I know each other from way back, so we spent a lot of time together as well. Bev Kearney and I spent time together. Augie (Garrido) and I spent time together. I think the one common thread that I felt with everybody I met was that there is greatness here. It's not just in the facilities. This certainly is not about money; this is about people, and this is about a challenge.
I am so excited and looking forward to helping this team learn, grow and become all that they can. And (help) this program grow; it's not just about a team, it's about a program. Both academically and athletically, I feel we have the best there is to offer in the nation. To me, it's going to be an easy sell to recruits, because of all that is here. And again, it's not just about the facilities here, it's about the people that are here. It's a great honor for me to be here, and I will entertain all questions, but I'm telling you one thing, y'all better come back now for our games, all right? (laughter)
CHRIS PLONSKY: MEDIA Q&A
On the pursuit of a coach to replace Jody Conradt: Clearly working with systems like USA Basketball has provided a great opportunity to watch great coaches at the highest level of our game. In USA Basketball, you're representing our nation in competition and Gail has had the good fortune to represent many teams, age-level teams, not just at the highest of highs with the Olympic Team. She took an Under-19 team recently. In those collegiate committee environments, coaches are part of the committee to select players and evaluate talent and there are just some people that stood out.
This was a very clear cut agenda in terms of identifying a candidate who we felt fit the mission of our program, fit the type of person and leadership style and quality that can take this program into the future. This was going to happen on somebody's watch here. Jody coached 31 years. That's so rare in our business today. At Texas, our coaches stay a long time. I think about Coach [Darrell] Royal, Gus [former baseball coach Cliff Gustafson] stayed a long time, so this was going to happen. So, this has been about a five-year project in terms of looking around and identifying who it would be when the moment came [Conrad'ts retirement] and the moment just happened to come.
I was heartsick for Gail for the way their team lost [in the NCAA Championship], but I can tell you the minute that loss occurred with Rutgers and I saw the ticker, I felt like if we could get her here, get her to visit, spend some time with her, we could have a great shot at her.
But as she said, it was a very emotional and personal decision and it wasn't just about money or anything else; it was about moving to the next challenge and that's the type of person we need right now. This is a challenge. There is work to do here and we all know it, our staff knows it, but we're ready and we're delighted. She's the one to lead us.
GAIL GOESTENKORS: MEDIA Q&A
On her emotions the last few weeks: It has been such an emotional time for me, having come off the NCAA Tournament where we had a tough loss to Rutgers [in the Sweet 16] -- and that was devastating. Then, I needed to begin to look forward after I consoled my team. I came here and was on a whirlwind tour that Chris (Plonsky) had me on. I got to meet some of the people in UT Athletics and the UT administration.
And then, there were the emotions I had to deal with in going to the Final Four [this past weekend in Cleveland], with everybody there, the media, a lot of coaches asking questions. Finally, I got home, and I had made my decision and I talked to my team on Tuesday.
It was tough...it's about relationships for me. I was extremely close with my team. So, there were a lot of tears. But I explained to my team again the things that I teach them and what I say to them every single day. It's about always accepting new challenges, being willing to get out of your comfort zone and sometimes doing things that are a little bit scary, knowing that you're going to grow a great deal.
So I talked to them about that and I said I would be a hypocrite if I didn't do the same things that I've been talking with you about. Then I made the transition and I came here yesterday [Wednesday, April 4] and I had an opportunity [to be] with my new team. There was great excitement, and it felt so good to be in something new and to begin to build. We talked about trust and growth and leadership. We talked about discipline. We talked about a lot of things. I said to them, this group here, you are going to be the foundation for the future of Texas women's basketball, and you've got to feel great pride about that.
What is going to be the biggest challenge of coaching a new team? Well, the biggest thing is opportunity. I see challenges and opportunities, what I take great pride in and I enjoy most is my relationships with my players. So because I'm coming in now and school ends pretty quickly here, and because of my travel schedule -- I'm heading to Italy tomorrow with the USA Basketball team -- it's not going to allow me the time I would really like to have with the team really early on, but we will work hard. Fortunately through electronics, there are many ways to get in touch with people and talk with people. Initially I think that the most important thing for me is to really get to know my team.
Your Duke teams have played Texas in the past few years, and you know a lot about the quality of players that you have here at UT. How well do they fit your system and how soon can we expect a championship? I know this team very well. We've played them the past couple years and I think they've got a good bit of talent and I think my style of play is going to fit in perfectly with the way they are capable of playing.
Like I said, I think there is great athleticism on this team. The post players run the floor very well, and that's always been something we've enjoyed [at Duke]. I can also adapt my style to what the strengths are on my team and I think that is a strength in itself.
The trapping, running, pressing I think will be very conducive to the players that are already here. So, we've got to hit the road and we've got to begin recruiting as well, because we need to begin to build on this foundation.
But I'm not going to put a time table on championships. I talked yesterday about championships though. We're going to talk about it, we're going to work towards it from day one. And I told this team yesterday, you walk like, talk like, act like a champion every single day in everything you do, because nobody is going to hand you a championship, you've got to go get it and fight for what you want.
Regarding staffing issues, do you have a timetable? I'm in the process of hiring staff right now and I want to do it as quickly as possible; however, I know that my staff is going to be probably the single most important thing that I do early on, so I'm going to make sure that I hire the right people to help me coach this team. So, there is no timetable on that. It's something I'd like to get done quickly, but I need to be making sure I do the right thing.
Are you bringing some of your current coaching staff with you? There are some of my Duke assistants who may come with me, although not all of them. I'm also talking with Travis [UT assistant coach Travis Mays] and Clarissa [UT assistant coach Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil] as well.
I know you were at the Fnal Four this weekend in Cleveland and that Jody Conradt was there. Can you talk about any conversations you had about her trying to sell the Texas program to you? We didn't talk at the Final Four. Jody is a good friend of mine and we have talked. When I came down last week we had a long luncheon, a long conversation, and she was excited about me taking over this program. It helped me to feel really good about it, because it is hard to follow Jody Conradt and all that she's accomplished.
So that was an issue that I had that I had to get through, and she helped me to feel good about the situation and understand that she wanted me to have this job and [that] I was going to create my own legacy here. But at the Final Four, no, I was trying to avoid just about everybody!
Along the lines of Jody, do remember the first time you remember seeing Jody coach? How young were you, where were you? When they won the national championship in 1986 I remember watching them on TV and I just remember being so impressed. Then when I was at Purdue, I believe it was my second year at Purdue, Texas came to play at Purdue and that was when Clarissa [Davis] was on the team, and Vicki Hall was a freshman that year. Once again I was just impressed with the class.
I've seen Jody out on the road forever: her class, her integrity. She's done things the right way over the long haul and you can't say that about many people. She has been maybe the greatest ambassador for women's basketball in the history of our game.
You said that Texas has had a special place for you for a long time. Chris Plonsky talked about the legacy they've had here with women's athletics. How big a part did that play for you in your decision? The commitment here is just incredible and it's known nationally that Texas has great commitment to all sports and to women's sports in particular. If you ask 10 coaches out there what the best job in the country is, nine, nine and a half or even 10 will say 'The University of Texas.' We all feel that way. It's not just right here in this great state, it is all over the country. And with Chris Plonsky, I'll tell you, I had the good fortune to work with Chris with USA Basketball on a committee -- she was in charge of the committee -- many years ago, and it was at that point that I thought if I ever have the opportunity to work for Chris and with Chris that I would jump on it, because she is such a great leader for women in particular, for everyone in general, but for women in particular.
Can you talk about recruiting in Texas? I think that was another great draw to come to Texas. This great state is full of tremendous talent. We've come in [to Texas from Duke]. I've got a freshman that is going to Duke, she'll be at Duke, that other school over there ... Karima Christmas, who had signed with Duke last year, so its been just a tremendous place [to recruit]. When you look at all the classes down the line, there is so much talent in this state that you really don't have to go far to be great.
How's your singing voice, and do you know the UT school song 'The Eyes of Texas'? Not yet, but I'm working on it. They just got me a cell phone and it rang for the first time yesterday and it was 'The Eyes of Texas' playing, so don't worry, it will be ringing in my ears!
What do you like so far about Austin, because it's a very special city? It really is, but I haven't had a lot of time to get out and about. I went to a really good Mexican restaurant last night though, and I love Mexican food. I've been downtown just a bit and everybody is so friendly. It's very eclectic to me. There is a lot going on.
I'm excited. When I get some time, which won't be for a long while, I'm really looking forward to getting to know the city. I talked to my [new] team yesterday and I said I'm going to be relying on you a good bit early on just to find my way around and I'm sure they'll help me through.
Do you know anything about the Big 12 Conference and the big rivals here? The one rival? I'm still learning, but yes, I know the Big 12. Every year we have played schools in the Big 12. They have such a great TV package as well that I see them all the time on TV.
I've been informed not to ever wear red, so I'm working on that! I'll figure it all out, and I know people will help me through as I get to know the conference much better. It's an unbelievable conference both academically and athletically. They have the highest quality basketball. When you look at the fan support, they've led the nation in attendance, oh, I don't know ... how many years? Chris [Plonsky] probably knows. OK, the last five years, so the attendance is great, the atmosphere is tremendous and the competition will makes us better. Every single game will make us better, and that's what you want.
Is there one single thing that made you take the job? Quite honestly it was the people, the meetings that I had with some people, and that's why I knew this would be right. I knew the facilities already because we had been here already. I had the facts and the figures, and it came down to all those meetings that I had. You know [men's basketball coach] Rick Barnes, Rick can talk now! We talked for probably four hours. Mack [football coach Mack Brown] and I sat down together, we had real conversations, heart to heart conversations.
Now, with Augie [baseball coach Augie Garrido], you all know him -- he just blew in and blew out, but what he said affected me. [Women's track and field head coach] Bev Kearney, what she said affected me. I thought, I want to be surrounded by these great people. Chris Plonsky affected me. Her leadership, how motivated she is, how excited she is. She's going to push me and I want to be pushed. I'm going to work my tail off, I can guarantee you that.
I'm excited and I'm ready to go, but its still exciting to me to feel like you are surrounded by greatness.
I want to know your impressions of this program, how Texas Basketball started and how it has evolved: I thought it was the first program that really made a commitment to women's basketball. Long, long ago before other programs were committing. The financial support that they put in, emotional support, I mean everything. They really put an emphasis on women's sports in general, but women's basketball in particular and you just saw it grow and you saw it flourish.
In recent years, you know, it's hit a little down time, but I think Jody's done such a great job here and I think part of the reason that she did step down was because she wanted to bring back the greatness. Times have changed and kids have changed. I spend a lot of time instant messaging kids and emailing and text messaging and talking on the phone and really developing those relationships and its very time consuming, it's very emotional. I think Jody loved being a coach, but I think she's ready now for the next chapter of her life as well. I feel like it's a perfect time for me to come in and for us to bring back that greatness.
Two-part question: Why have you been successful and was that sweater already in your wardrobe or did you have to buy that this morning? (Note: Goestenkors was wearing a sweater a shade of burnt orange.) To answer the first part -- I guess because I work hard and I surround myself with great people. I bring in to the programs the people that I want to be around. My players ... I'm not going to bring in somebody that I don't enjoy being with. I love to develop relationships and I just think the whole package is important as far as getting to know your kids, bringing in the right kids, working together, having a common goal. Then, let them go out and play and find a way through video tape or whatever it takes to find your opponents weaknesses and attack them.
I just feel very fortunate I think to bring in and be surrounded by great people.
The sweater... I know it's not quite the right color, but it's as close as I could get. When Chris Plonsky said that we were having the press conference, I opened up my closet and looked through my things, because I didn't have time to shop. It's been a whirlwind, so I just looked in my closet and there was not a thing. And then, in the very back, I saw this sweater and I was like 'oh my gosh, it's pretty close' and I took it out. It still had the tags on it! I don't know when I bought it, but it was meant to be, that's for sure.