The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Coach Gail email: Aug. 14
08.14.2007 | Women's Basketball
Hi, Longhorns fans!
I am reaching into the email "mailbag" for lots of different questions this week. Thanks again for writing in. I am trying to vary the topics discussed each week, so don't despair if I have not answered your question yet!
Right now, it's quiet around Bellmont Hall and Cooley Pavilion as the student-athletes finished with summer school last week. My team has dispersed for the next few weeks, and they are on their own in terms of working out and staying fit during this short break before they return to campus for Student-Athlete Orientation Week. Each one of them did a wonderful job with their summer work, and I know they are continuing to work out during this time. When they get back, we'll all be ready to get to work right away and start putting our stamp on Texas Basketball! The coaching staff is so excited and is eagerly anticipating the start of preseason when we can work closely side-by-side with our athletes.
Until next week!
Hook 'em,
Coach Goestenkors
Steve from Tulsa, Okla.
Coach, welcome and hook 'em. As you know, you're joining a revered group of coaches at UT, both past and present. When Coach Brown came on board in 1998, one of his first orders of business was to welcome Coach Royal as a mentor and consultant. Perfect, smart, and classy. Like Mack, you follow a beloved legend. What are your thoughts about keeping Coach Conradt connected to the program?
Steve, thanks for writing in. I appreciate you asking this question. Jody is a legend and a tremendous ambassador of our game, of the state of Texas, of UT, and of this program. She and I have a wonderful relationship and she will always be connected to me and this program. I greatly value her insights and opinions.
Johnny from Austin
Hey Coach, welcome to Austin! We're season ticket holders for quite some time. The question I have for you is this: how much conditioning do you have in store for our gals with the up-tempo game? I want to see the other team run ragged, but I hope ours don't pass out, too!
We will be spending a great, great deal of time with our strength and conditioning workouts, Johnny, so no worries about our players and conditioning! We understand that if you want to be a great running and pressing team, then you need to be in outstanding mental and physical shape as well, since a key element in all this will be our players' ability to fight through mental fatigue. We will spend a good deal of time having everyone in the best shape of their lives, I can promise you that! I hope you continue to support the program and I look forward to meeting you!
Chelsea from Kingsville, Texas
How long do you anticipate it taking for the Longhorns basketball program to be a championship-caliber team, like your Duke squads?
It is hard to put a time frame on that, Chelsea. Our goal is to work hard and build a championship program. That is why we all are here! There is no true timetable, since success depends on a myriad of variables like recruiting, health, injuries and the like. We are hard at work helping develop our student-athletes academically, athletically, mentally, socially and spiritually. Each component is critical in building a championship program, and we are on our way!
Amy from Los Angeles
I am wondering, have you read the recently published Pete Maravich biography? And, did "Pistol Pete's" playing style have any influence on you as a kid? A player like him certainly did run with the ball, but he might not catch your eye (as a recruiter) since he didn't pass so much. Any comments? Thanks!
Amy, thanks for the questions! Two new biographies came out this year on Maravich -- one called "Pistol" by Mark Kriegel and the other is "Maravich" (by Wayne Federman and Marshall Terrill). Unfortunately, I have not seen either biography yet, although I've heard great things about each one, but trust me, I will certainly get to them once I have some free time -- in about three years! LOL! I have, however, watched all of Pistol Pete's teaching tapes. He has several of them and they are exceptional. He was one of my favorite players of all time.
Margarita from Dallas
Coach Gail, I have read your bio and you have inspired me. You're an amazing and strong woman and I respect you highly. You never quit and you always keep striving to meet the expectations you set for yourself. I'm a 5'4" Mexican-American, and a lot of people tell me I have all the odds against me. They say that because I am so short that I won't make it in basketball. What do you think I should do to get noticed?
First of all, Margarita, thank you so much for your kind words -- they are very touching.
To tell you the truth, as a basketball coach, it doesn't matter to me how tall you are -- what matters to me is how big your heart is and what your skill level is.
So, if I were you, I would set as my goal very high -- to become the very best point guard in the country. Work on all aspects of the game, offensively and defensively. Based on your size -- if you don't grow any more! -- you'll have to master shooting the deep 3-ball [3-point shot] in order to spread the defense out. You also will have to be able to get by people and find the open player, as you'll find it difficult to score inside. You want to learn to create opportunities for your teammates. If you have great passion, a vision and tremendous leadership, you can do ANYTHING you want. Good luck!
Rosie from Austin
Hey Coach! What's been the biggest change from coaching Duke to coaching Texas?
George from Port Lavaca, Texas
What is going to be the biggest challenge here at Texas that you didn't have to worry about at Duke?
Rosie and George, since you both asked similar questions, I thought I would answer them together. Here are my biggest challenges right now. First, to establish myself here and build my own University of Texas legacy after leaving my comfort zone and the tradition that we built at Duke. Second, moving to one of the nation's best public universities from a great private school like Duke has built-in challenges, as I am learning the in's and out's of being at a state university. Third, the challenge of negotiating my way around my new city. Austin is lots bigger than Durham, N.C. But rest assured, my staff and I are loving every minute here in the Lone Star State!
Michael from Austin
Coach G: Real simple -- Carolina BBQ or Texas BBQ?
Oooh, that's a tough one, Michael, but I have to admit ... it is Carolina BBQ right now! Don't worry, though -- I have only had Texas barbeque once so far, and until I get the chance to experience more Texas BBQ all around Central Texas, my vote stays with Carolina 'cue. I know that will change soon, however, once I get established here in Austin and have time to sample more Texas cuisine. I look forward to it!
