The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Catching up with Coach G
02.01.2008 | Women's Basketball
The 15-6 Longhorns are incorporating the trademark style of play that Coach Gail Goestenkors instilled in her Duke University players as she built the Blue Devils program into the national powerhouse that it is today -- an up-tempo, full defensive pressure style of play.
Much has been chronicled about Coach G, her arrival at Texas and the early work that she is doing with her coaching staff to build the UT program into a national contender, year in and year out.
In addition to being the driving force behind Texas Basketball, Coach G also serves as an assistant coach with USA Basketball and will travel to Beijing, China, with the USA contingent for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
She also is active as an ambassador for the women's collegiate game, serving on the Board of Directors of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).
Below is a look at Coach G "off court" and what her last few months have been like as she adjusts to Austin and all things Texas.
CATCHING UP WITH COACH G
To help me deal with the stresses involved in coaching, I: Love to read and workout. I try to do both every day.
Right now, if I could describe my team in a few adjectives, those adjectives would be: hard-working, interesting, fun-loving, growing and improving
What has been the best book you've read since moving to Austin? "Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust," a wonderfully inspiring autobiography by survivor Immaculee Ilibagiza. I encourage everyone to read it.
Are you as completely enthralled with Mexican and Tex-Mex fare as has been written, or are you branching out in your dining choices? I have ALWAYS loved Mexican food and now I have the best in the nation to choose from. I never tire of eating Mexican food, and as long as my waistline can handle it, my goal is to eat at every place in Austin.
What is your favorite thing about Austin? There are already so many things I love about Austin but it all boils down to the PEOPLE. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming -- and our fans have been wonderful and supportive. It didn't take long for me to feel exactly at home here in this wonderful city.
Have you noticed any habits that you've picked up after moving to Austin? Besides saying "Get Hooked!" and "Hook 'em" and quickly flashing the "Hook `em, Horns" sign now, I don't know of any habits I've picked up yet -- except trying to stay off IH-35.
What have been your "Welcome to Texas" moments (things that just stand out and make you think "So THIS is Texas!")? I have already had so many wonderful moments here at Texas. To name a few: throwing out the first pitch at the Longhorns baseball game last May (it was a two-bouncer!); listening to singer/songwriter Ruthie Foster entertain while sitting outside for the "Blues on the Green" concert series; going to see Esther's Follies; visiting the Texas Book Fair and listening to singer/songwriter and pianist Marsha Ball sing and entertain the crowd; serving as the official starter at the "Keep Austin Weird" race; eating downtown and watching all the zany people out on 6th Street on Halloween night; running with my staff in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this past November; going to my first UT football game; and getting my first pair of cowboy boots.
Those are all some of my favorite early memories, and I feel quite sure there will be many, many more.
