coach gary blair wife
He would drive me to ball games and couldnt come in and watch (due to NCAA rules), so he would sit in the parking lot and work with what whatever Internet we had around 2000. I love competition. Idont need a rocking chair or a plaque or anything like that. We missed last year.. . So after 18 months and seven days I sprinted back to Texas to finish my last year of school. Sometimes you grow up, and sometimes you grow. You could tell Cheryl was the next coming. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and Sam Houston State University, where he played baseball. Weve got plenty of time for that, Bjork said The great thing about the timing from only that perspective is you have all season to analyze, look at the landscape of college basketball, see what coaches are out there, see what the future holds and be able to analyze what that landscape is. But hes still the most positive man and most popular coach in this town. After this season his 50th coaching Blair will retire and leave a stamp the size of Texas on the game of basketball. Since then, the team has won more than 70 percent of its . He got the nickname "The Worm" from playing pinball back in the day. [3] For the first time in his career, however, one of Blair's team suffered a losing season. Theheat doesn't bother me as long as I can play golf early in the morning. All rights reserved. And you see how that turned out.. He was 239-18 at South Oak Cliff. A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, the 76-year-old Blair has a career record of 838-333in 36 seasons at Stephen F. Austin, Arkansas and Texas A&M. I was always standing and coaching. I had to have someone with me who could build the program up and I needed someone I could trust. The Aggies (22-10) are a third seed in the NCAA Tournament, and a favorite to emerge from the first two rounds in College Station and wind up in the Sweet 16 in Raleigh, N.C. My job was to massage the egos. I get people to work with me, find out about them and get to know their strengths. Well hold on to these and were not finished recruiting.. "She's seven years younger than I am, so we'll see.". [3], Blair's first head coaching experience at the collegiate level came at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. But I made an attempt to get them all here.. 9 Replies | 2,868 Views | Blair will become just the third women's coach, along with Tennessee's Pat Summitt and NC State's Kay Yow, to have a court named for them. Like Blair, Slocum is the winningest coach in A&M history in his sport. [3], In the summer of 1996, while his Arkansas team was in their offseason, Blair spent several months in Taiwan as the assistant coach of the U.S. Jones Cup team, which won the gold medal and became the first U.S. team to be undefeated at the Jones Cup tournament. He was stationed in Okinawa during his duty. After his tour, he lived in the Los Angeles area, running a restaurant in Costa Mesa and Culver City. But there werent a lot of high school coaching jobs available. After the season, the Texas A&M Board of Regents approved a one-year contract extension through 2012, and a $150,000 salary raise to $800,000 annually. [9], Blair was inducted into the Ladyjack Hall of Fame during halftime of the Ladyjacks game against the Aggies on December 2, 2008. We support him.. Gary, who has three years remaining on his A&M contract, has shown no signs of slowing. Would be hard to leave that. I left the high school game in 1980 when Barmore and Hogg called me up. Conference tournament champion, List of college women's basketball coaches with 600 wins, "Big 12 Coaches Owe Much to Louisiana Tech", "Q&A with Texas A&M women's hoops coach Gary Blair", "Pepperdine Timeout 4 HIV/AIDS Tourney Up Next For No. I play golf about four days a week in the mornings. [15], On February 20, 2008, Blair posted his 500th career win as a head coach at Reed Arena against the Iowa State Cyclones.[16]. "They just feed off each other so well.". . He led the Aggies to the NCAA national championship in 2011. Pam Green went on to star at Missouri. He has led the Aggies to five conference titles, including the 2021 SEC regular-season title and the 2011 national championship. Flash02. The game was tied at 45 all, when the USA hit several free throws to take a lead they would not give up. And a volleyball coach, and a track coach. He just mentioned his fiance during halftime of the Ark/Aub game - I know I'm out of touch, but I had no idea he was even divorced, much less ready to get married again! He stresses offensive rebounding and defense to his teams,[2] and his 2007 Texas A&M team ranked among the nation's best in scoring defense, blocked shots, and steals. Every game is a Super Bowl to me.. Whether you're walking for exercise or playing pickleballlike my wife does on Monday nights. He coached for 37 years closing with Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball, who he coached from 2003 until his retirement in 2022. Ive missed too many ball games, too many cheerleading things, he said. Im a builder, so I had to build that Stephen F team. After I completed my failure in architecture, I had to sit out a semester and a summer before I could come back, and by that time baseball was over. Texas A&M coach Blair to retire at end of season, The top 35 women's college basketball players in the transfer portal, Ex-Louisville star Van Lith picks champion LSU, New Big Ten boss Petitti ready to lead 'new era', Wake Forest's Spear, top-5 ACC scorer, in portal, Survey: Male athletes unsure of Title IX process, Oregon State AD Barnes released from hospital, S. Carolina brings on former Oregon PG Paopao, Ex-Iowa St. guard Donarski transferring to UNC, How Hailey Van Lith's transfer impacts NCAA champion LSU. Blair coached Debra and Kim Rodman on one of his state title teams their brother Dennis used to play Ping-Pong and talk about basketball with Blair at the school. "She had white scrubs on and looked like a nurse. Be humble, or youll stumble, Blair said. They used to ride in vans and wear tube socks. The team, unranked in the national polls, received a No. Im not like Bush 41, but like Bush 43. He figured he had a few more years left in him. Blair eventually took the leap and made the move, joining Sonja Hoggs staff as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech, which went to four Final Fours and won two national championships while Blair was on the coaching staff. Im very honest with the kids and their parents: when you earn your playing time, you will get your playing time. He is listed in the top 35 of the all-time winningest NCAA Division I women's basketball coaches, and he is one of the few coaches to guide three different schools to national rankings and NCAA Tournament berths. Sometimes, we can agree to disagree. We have a little travel in our plans, and I have a busy month of September coming up. TexAgs is an independent site and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. 3 in the country and be 30-0? responded Blair, before having a little fun at the expense of one of college basketballs all-time powerhouses. I remember thinking that I wished I could somehow stop time., GARY BLAIR, head womens basketball coach at Texas A&M University since 2003, led the Aggies to an NCAA national championship in 2011. "He has a lot of wisdom. Gary Blair provides an update on retirement and life after basketball. I ended up coaching women's basketball because there wasn't a coaching job when I took the PE job at South Oak Cliff. Hes bald and Ive got a full head of hair, so Im loving it. In his 37 years as a collegiate head coach, Blair only suffered two losing seasons,[2] and has reached postseason play 28 times, including 23 NCAA Tournament appearances and Final Four appearances in 1998 with Arkansas and 2011 with Texas A&M. I turned it down to stay with the women. Theyre not going to honor me after we beat their butt on the court, Blair said. Bryce Young vs. C.J. Early in his first season, he offered four free tickets to a game during an interview on a local radio station. I try to take the time to really reflect on my career and to really enjoy each and every moment of these last games of my career.. Thought it was strange she never moved to College Station. Senior captain Jordan Nixon admitted she was caught off guard when Blair informed the team this would be his final season. Division regular season champion He was with me two or three years. It took me two weeks to make up my mind. You could get it done at those smaller venues back then. Blair, with a slight grin, also realized the game in the Erwin Center offers the chance for a jab at A&Ms (still) biggest rival and new Longhorns coach Vic Schaefer, his former top assistant at A&M. Request a review copy, Professors: 9 Replies | A&M returns two starters and eight letter winners from the team that went 25-3 and won the Southeastern Conference regular-season championship last season. If youve ever spent any time with Blair, you know the story or pieces of it, anyway. But he drew in others, like Sydney Colson and Danielle Adams around the same time, both of whom were on the Aggies 2011 national championship team. I have a lot of responsibility, a lot of flexibility, and I argue with my assistants all the time. The beers were in the apartment office where she walked in, so I told my friends, 'I'm going to get a beer. Blair still marvels at the serendipity that brought him to coaching. I just need an arena with 94 feet to be able to compete., - Gary Blair on being honored in opposing gyms this season. But the time has come.. Blair joined TexAgs Radio on Monday morning to discuss life after basketball and so much more. He should do it on his terms. The eternally quippable Metcalf, Lemons and Garrido all have since passed on to that coaches comedy club in the clouds, but theres at least one old-school coach in the region still owning the fastest facetiousness in Texas. He also started perfecting recruiting. It will be a symbol of all those that helped build this program and all the Aggies that battle on that court, not just in women's basketball, but in men's basketball and volleyball as well. looking toward the stands, where my grandson was . The numbers speak for themselves. Wed take the kids home after practice just load up cars take them home. We cant get separation on teams, no one plays us close, our defense is solid but were not stopping people theyre scoring on us. People ask me how retirement is every day. The couple doesn't really discuss where they'll end up. Things get started with the dinner Thursday, May 6 at the Brazos County Expo at 6 p.m. Plates are $20 for all-you-can-eat catfish. Where is this coming from?, We understand. On Thursday night, Blair will coach the Texas A&M womens team at home for the last time, as the school names the court at Reed Arena after him. An emotional, philosophical and nostalgic Gary Blairformally announced on Thursday that he will retire as Texas A&Ms womens basketball coach following the upcoming season. What is the foundation for building a good team culture? A&M's Blair, Arkansas-based wife make marriage work. We're trying to redo my study and our game room. He netted a national APSE second-place finish for breaking the Dennis Franchione secret newsletter scandal in 2007, and his coverage of Texas A&Ms move to the SEC from the Big 12 also netted a third-place finish nationally in 2012. Only two tickets were claimed. 2023 Maroon & White LP. From 1993-2003, he was the head coach at Arkansas. When I got to Arkansas I needed a national recruiter, so I hired Tom Collen from Purdue. Hes helped me a lot off the court, too.. That allowed me to hire Mike, and it was the best hire Ive ever had. As older coaches, we have to change with todays kids. Not too many players transfer from Texas A&M. . It took 10 more years before he decided to step away. On March 29, 2011, Gary Blair led the program to its first ever Final Four appearance by defeating top-seeded Baylor 58-46. He loved their passion, the camaraderie, the hunger to win. Blair, 76, has won 838 games in his career at Stephen F. Austin . 15th seed Troy in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. A Dallas native, Blair was the head coach at South Oak Cliff High school from 1973-1980. Joni Taylor is doing very well. He began his career as an assistant at Louisiana Tech between 1980-85 as the Lady Techsters won two national titles, including the first NCAA women's basketball tournament in 1982 season. Slocum has always been active in the Bryan-College Station community. I pull for all the older men and women. I could sit there and feel at ease with the decision after I talked to R.C., Blair said. [2] During his five seasons there, Louisiana Tech reached the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament four times, winning two national championships. Since integration, there were no volunteers. While there he coached with Leon Barmore, who was co-head coach with Hogg at Tech for Blairs last three seasons in Ruston, La., before Barmore took over the program. There is the good, the bad and the ugly of social media. [20], Gary Blair was named the assistant coach of the 1996 R. William Jones Cup Team. I didnt start coaching until I was 27. . What Im trying to do is max out every day. How did you get into womens basketball, and where did you get your basketball knowledge? Been divorced for about 4 years. We stayed another five years. The Louisiana Tech position paid $22,500 and also provided a six-year-old brown station wagon. He was previously head womens basketball coach at the University of Arkansas and Stephen F. Austin State University. I just need an arena with 94 feet to be able to compete.. The Aggies open Blair's final season with an exhibition against Oklahoma Baptist at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Reed Arena in College Station. As he had done at every stop so far, Blair got to Nacogdoches a small town in East Texas and started winning. All of them are still committed to us. I'm trying to adjust. In other sports Im pulling for the veteran coaches. Great for Gary. He's nine wins from being the winningest basketball coach (men's or women's) in Texas A&M history. Barbara Brown McCoy went on to be a standout guard at Stephen F. Austin before going into high school coaching herself. Every possession is a game in itself. You cant ask for much more.. He is a natural at making anyone feel like an old friend, and that went a long way as he continued to build up every program he touched. We won state the next year in 1977. Garrido won five national titles while leading Cal State Fullerton and Texas, while Blair achieved what few figured possible in inheriting the Big 12s worst basketball program in 2003: a national title in 2011. All three of us were six months apart in age. Bill to earn a bachelor's degree in health and physical education with a minor in journalism from Texas Tech. Seems like a disproportionately hostile response. It won't be difficult to go see the team play, but it will be difficult to realize that I have a seat. She coached a gold medal team for USA Basketball, and that always helps in recruiting. The first five years at Tech we were national champs, national champs, second, third, and Elite Eight. Todays kids live in the moment. The Aggies (14-12, 4-10 SEC) will miss the NCAA Tournament this season unless they stun in the conference tournament. Blair said in a statement on Thursday. [12], Much of his recruiting is done in-state,[15] and Blair says that he recruits students for their offensive showing and then teaches them to play defense later. "Having my name on that beautiful floor is a humbling experience. Well, I get the opportunity to have about 35 to 38 still left in me this year. This portable Cubii under-desk elliptical is $129 off today. [3][4], Blair is also actively involved with the community. He just mentioned his fiance during halftime of the Ark/Aub game - I know I'm out of touch, but I had no idea he was even divorced, much less ready to get married again! [4], In his seven seasons at South Oak Cliff, he set a state record with five consecutive state tournament appearances and a 239-18 record. And thats OK. He bowled on a faculty team with their mother, Shirley. In his eight years with the school, he compiled a 210-43 record, including 25 wins in just his second season as a head coach. That team, that year, Blair said. I play golf in the mornings and try to walk all the time. Blair led the Aggies to the national championship in 2011. We have recently updated ourPrivacy Policy. She was a nurse at Parkland Memorial who was moving into The Square apartments - Gary's longtime stomping grounds - in Dallas. Before anyone wanted him on a field, though, a group of young ladies needed him on a court. Its also important to get kids involved in other things on campus besides basketball. Legendary Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair retired at the end of the 2021-22 season, but he is still a fixture in and around Aggieland. They asked for volunteers to coach (girls) basketball (at South Oak Cliff), and the girls next door asked me if Id coach. 42 (UConn wins Dance; WBB ratings boom), 'I'm very honored and humbled': Gary Blair discusses Hall of Fame honor. Coachs Chair: Gary Blair, Texas A&M University, No. Can you talk about how you assembled your infamous coaching staff at Arkansas? I'm a sports fan. Gary Blair is the son of Lee, a plaster foreman, and Jean, a housewife. Right now, it's a mess in college athletics. Texas A&M named 2021 SEC Coach of the Year Joni Taylor as the eighth women's basketball head coach in program history on March 23, 2022. [8] After winning the first state championship, he was offered the head baseball job he had been waiting for, but he turned it down to remain coaching the women's teams. Blair endorsed her as his eventual successor. COLLEGE STATION - Gary Blair was in mid-swing in a water volleyball game that summer day in 1978 when an angelic figure - at least in his single state of mind - distracted him from the not-so-serious task at hand in his apartment's pool. You cant explain how special it is to see your team work that way and win those games.. 3 with eyes on more, while the men have not even played since Jan. 30. Back then I felt like the girls needed me. I almost found out (against Georgia earlier this month) when we got beat in overtime. I have enough energy. teacher, while waiting for an offer to coach the baseball team, but when asked to coach the girls' team, he accepted. The Astros gave four underdog pitchers a shot. 13 UCLA contains Stanford to avenge previous loss, Coaches credit mental strength of athletes during pandemic season, Indiana, Arizona are first-time dancers in the Elite 8, Clutch Nixon, Aggies ready for the Sweet 16. Blair, 76, has won 838 games in his career at Stephen F. Austin, Arkansas and A&M, where he arrived in 2003. You name it. After serving on former Georgia coach Andy Landers' staff in Athens from 2011 to 2015, Taylor had a breakthrough season in 2020-21, as the Lady Bulldogs went 21-7 and advanced to the SEC . I told Sue that two things have to happen: you have to come with me and my wife has to come with me. "[5], After his graduation from Texas Tech, Blair hoped to find a high school baseball coaching job in Lubbock, but he was offered the physical education coach gig[tone] at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, a predominantly Black school. The next year, it became a paid thing. Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair, 76, announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of this season. Following his high school graduation in 1963, he enrolled at Texas Tech University, where he failed out of architecture, and moved to California to become a restaurant manager. I brought Sue Donohoe with me, who was a great recruiter and a real people person. "Aggieland is a special place and has always been my destination," Blair said. "That makes this harder on Gary. Im not playing kids just to keep them from transferring. Brent is the author of four published books about Texas A&M, three related to A&M athletics. Hed built a program from scratch and helped bring visibility to girls basketball in the state. [5] He earned his master's degree in education from the school in 1974. Texas A&M announced on Thursday that its basketball court will be named in honor of retiring women's coach Gary Blair. How will you know when its time to retire? You dont ever say that, but sometimes youve got to admit somebody might be better than you particularly in the changing world that were living in today.. 2023 Maroon & White LP. Those were special years.. The following year his team, which consisted of 9 freshmen and sophomores, won 23 games and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament. He had to be a sports fan. 5,245 Views | It worked, and I dont know if it could ever work again with the egos that the three of us had. I was an architecture major at TTU and a walk-on for baseball. The game, the players. Two days later, the Aggies defeated Notre Dame 76-70 in the championship game to win the tournament for the first time in school history. The team's success was noticed by their fans, who increased home attendance enough to allow the school to rank in the top 12 of NCAA Division 1 attendance leaders. After a divorce between Blair and his wife of 30-plus years, Blair married Kyla Gay in 2020. After 10 years in Fayetteville, Ark., Blair would make another move this time to a flailing Texas A&M team that was always sitting near the bottom of the Big 12 standings. After a strong first day of draft, Houston is the place to be. Here's how to score the best deals on tickets, plus all the free promotions you won't want to miss. I am missing work, and I am missing relationships. Search by keyword, author, title, and more.. My friends sentme pictures. It's good to be back. She's a great manager of people, and I think I've done a pretty good job of managing people, too.". Post-spoiler alert: The NCAA chose Austin, and the Longhorns advanced to the College World Series. [3] With a Number 6 seed[2] to the NCAA Tournament (A&M's first such invitation since 1996), Blair became only the fourth coach in NCAA history to take three different schools to the NCAA Tournament,[3] although this became his only appearance where his team lost in the first round. We won state again. So many things happened that I will never forget . [10], As the head coach of the women's basketball team at Arkansas, Blair compiled a 198-120 record. Reflection is a good time instead of procrastination, which I've done for a long time. As for life after coaching, Blair said quality time with his family is at the top of his list. This is a reflection year more than anything, and I'm trying to get organized. Our fans were getting restless, he offered in his typical bemused delivery. Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial. I thought Id be a baseball coach, but after four and a half years of college I quit for a while and went to California to take a summer job as a restaurant manager. I had to put silk flowers in the urinals at away games because we always had to use the boys locker room as visitors. Hes eager for that final year of competition. All the ones youve met and coached and had in your life. 500 With Win Over ISU", "Aggies claim first NCAA women's basketball championship", "Texas A&M women's coach Blair to retire at season's end", "Coaching great Blair inducted into Ladyjack Hall of Fame", "Southland legends Dumars, Blair to enter Conference Hall of Honor", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gary_Blair&oldid=1149421149, 2007 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Coach of the Year, 2006 Women's Basketball News Service National Coach of the Year, 2002 Texas High School Basketball Hall of Famer, 1995 Women's Basketball News Service National Coach of the Year, Five-time District VI Converse Coach of the Year, This page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at 03:53. I just want to be the ordinary Joe about town. I THINK she heads up the Arky nursing school. [24] His credentials include 28 years of head coaching experience at Stephen F. Austin, Arkansas and Texas A&M with a 71% lifetime winning percentage, along with the 2011 Division I National Championship.[25]. He loved the players. In womens basketball, we went to state the first year we could go to state in 1976. Theres 17 other national championships we didnt win. I was the head coach for basketball, volleyball, track and cross country for eight years, and I loved it. You played baseball in college. Congratulations on his upcoming (I assume) nuptials! No way did I think I would still be coaching now. Blair used to play ping pong with Dennis. You can buy a ticket early or pay at the door. Vic Schaefer came with me when Tom took the Colorado job. ", Texas A&M naming court in honor of retiring Blair, The top 35 women's college basketball players in the transfer portal, Ex-Louisville star Van Lith picks champion LSU, New Big Ten boss Petitti ready to lead 'new era', Wake Forest's Spear, top-5 ACC scorer, in portal, Survey: Male athletes unsure of Title IX process, Oregon State AD Barnes released from hospital, S. Carolina brings on former Oregon PG Paopao, Ex-Iowa St. guard Donarski transferring to UNC, How Hailey Van Lith's transfer impacts NCAA champion LSU. 10-2 This Year. The first year we were a Cinderella team and went to the Final Four. We (coaching staff) spent two hours last night with current recruits, Blair said. A few of them came in and said they needed a basketball coach, he said. Longtime Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair announced Thursday that this season will be his last with the Aggies, with the 76-year-old . He didn't get drafted by the Detroit Pistons until he was 24. Why now? Last: There are not any replies to this post yet. Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial. We all want to make this season special for us and for him.". Brent was named national beat writer of the year by the Football Writers Association of America for 2021, the first Texan to earn the honor, but hes most proud on the sports front of earning Dayton Invitational Basketball Tournament MVP honors in 1988. Those were the programs, and then they died out to start the 1980s. Thomas Graning, FRE / Associated Press COLLEGE STATION The shortest. "This is an incredible honor," Blair said. He was raised in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Dallas. "But I've done Fayetteville. The wit and wisdom of Blair, 75, will again be on a national stage starting at 5 p.m. Monday, when the second-seeded Aggies face No. He announced in October that this would be his final season after 19 seasons at Texas A&M. At each new place, there was a new challenge and something to build, but it was always worth it, he said. "His decades-long championship-caliber coaching acumen and recruiting ability has transcended many generations of women's basketball players and his impact will be felt long after he hangs up the whistle.". During his stint at Arkansas, the womens game evolved in a way Blair had always hoped to see. Joni Taylor. You want to see people compete. . What else can they do to us? Blair wondered Monday night of the selection committee. Why UConn starts at No. I got the girls involved in an intramural program, and that's when Title IX was passed. I sat down two days ago on his front porch and listened to his problems and everything he has done. None of the big six major cities in Texas had womens athletics before Title IX. My weakness is Im not hard enough to fire someone. Who was No. I love it enough. He grew up playing baseball, and as a 128-pound center fielder at Bryan Adams High School, he received all-city honors in 1963. Save on AeroGarden indoor herb growing kits at Amazon, Create a bonsai tree out of bricks with this $40 LEGO set, Preorder 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' today, Astros vs Phillies: How to get tickets and free swag this weekend, There are a ton of great patio furniture sets on sale right now. Around that time, the school offered him the head baseball job hed coveted. Available, Media:
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