The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women’s Basketball’s Blair Schaefer named WBCA Thirty under 30 honoree
03.27.2025 | Women's Basketball
Schaefer lands on the list of elite women’s basketball coaches.
ATLANTA — Texas women's basketball assistant coach Blair Schaefer has been honored by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association by being selected to the Thirty under 30 list.
The WBCA Thirty Under 30 special recognition program was established to honor 30 of the up-and-coming women's basketball coaches age 30 and under in the sport at all levels of the game. The criteria include community service, mentorship and impact of others, professional manner and attitude and professional association involvement.
"Blair has been an integral part of my programs both at Mississippi State as a player and then as an assistant player development coach, then moving on to The University of Texas and assuming the role of being thrown into the role of Director of Basketball Operations and then moving into a full-time assistant coaching position two years ago," Texas head coach Vic Schaefer said. "She has worked her way up through every position possible in the game and has always excelled at each stop. Her mentorship with our current roster, including Madison Booker, who was a First Team All-American as a freshman has been very impactful.
Blair is in her third season as an assistant coach with Texas women's basketball. She has helped mentor Madison Booker to All-America honors in each of her first two seasons in Austin. Blair constantly spends time in the gym with players and they praise her for the impact she is having on them.
"Blair has helped me so much over the years," Shay Holle said. "She has always been so approachable and supportive to me and my growth as a player and person. Early on in my basketball career, I struggled with confidence and understanding what was wanted out of me and Blair was always there to break things down for me and be a place of comfort. Blair understands this program better than anyone, having played in it and now coaching in it. It's so nice having someone on staff that knows exactly how it feels to be in our position and how we can thrive in our roles."
Schaefer was an accomplished player at Mississippi State and helped the Bulldogs to a pair of appearances in national championship games. In her senior season she started all 39 games and was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team. She ranks fifth in MSU history for career 3-pointers at 175 and third in program history in 3-point percentage.
"As a position coach of our guards she has helped develop an incredible group this season including two impactful freshmen in Bryanna Preston and Jordan Lee," Vic Schaefer said. "She has excelled in her role as a recruiter, and has helped bring in two outstanding classes, the last two seasons. Her communication skills and her relationship building has allowed her to not only communicate with our current team, but also to help recruit our future team. She is part of a staff that leaves no stone unturned, and has our kids prepared to play week in and week out in the Southeastern Conference. She continually shows up every day with incredible energy. She is a tireless professional, and gives of herself to our student athletes, and our staff in a very selfless manner. Her professionalism, work ethic, and competitive spirit allow her to be elite."
