Spring Break
Longhorn coach adjusts to Big 12 competition
By: Kenny Ryan
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News
The University of Texas women's basketball team has a sight on its sideline that hasn't been spotted in 31 years, a new head coach. Jody Conradt, who had coached the Longhorns since 1976, stepped down in 2007. Her replacement, Gail Goestenkors, arrived in Austin with an impressive résumé and a drive to win.
Goestenkors was head coach of the Duke women's basketball team since 1992. While coaching the Blue Devils, Goestenkors accumulated a 396-99 record, an 80 percent win rate. She was recognized as national coach of the year five times and made four appearances at the NCAA Final Four.
"[Accepting the head coaching position at UT] was the opportunity for a new challenge," Goestenkors said. "I love Duke. I always will love Duke. I had some great experiences there, but I was at a time in my life where I knew that I was either going to stay at Duke for the rest of my career and be very comfortable and happy, or I was going to take a chance and accept a new challenge to really go outside my comfort zone. I think anytime you do that, you grow tremendously."
Despite all the accolades and wins Goestenkors has accumulated, one accomplishment has eluded her, the national title. She says Texas is the place where she can capture her first.
"My goal is to build a championship program, a program which challenges for national titles year in and year out. Texas has been and should always be about winning championships. That's what I told my new players when I met with them last April when I took this coaching job. We need to think like national champions in everything we do."
Goestenkors also puts emphasis on helping her athletes develop and graduate, which she said is as important as winning.
"I feel the strongest obligation always to my players. [I want] to graduate all my players and help them develop intellectually, socially, spiritually and athletically. I want to be a part of their growth process. One quote I love is, 'Our chief want in life is someone to make us do what we can.' And I tell my players, I want to be that person who can help you do all you can, on and off the court."
Goestenkors was head coach of the Duke women's basketball team since 1992. While coaching the Blue Devils, Goestenkors accumulated a 396-99 record, an 80 percent win rate. She was recognized as national coach of the year five times and made four appearances at the NCAA Final Four.
"[Accepting the head coaching position at UT] was the opportunity for a new challenge," Goestenkors said. "I love Duke. I always will love Duke. I had some great experiences there, but I was at a time in my life where I knew that I was either going to stay at Duke for the rest of my career and be very comfortable and happy, or I was going to take a chance and accept a new challenge to really go outside my comfort zone. I think anytime you do that, you grow tremendously."
Despite all the accolades and wins Goestenkors has accumulated, one accomplishment has eluded her, the national title. She says Texas is the place where she can capture her first.
"My goal is to build a championship program, a program which challenges for national titles year in and year out. Texas has been and should always be about winning championships. That's what I told my new players when I met with them last April when I took this coaching job. We need to think like national champions in everything we do."
Goestenkors also puts emphasis on helping her athletes develop and graduate, which she said is as important as winning.
"I feel the strongest obligation always to my players. [I want] to graduate all my players and help them develop intellectually, socially, spiritually and athletically. I want to be a part of their growth process. One quote I love is, 'Our chief want in life is someone to make us do what we can.' And I tell my players, I want to be that person who can help you do all you can, on and off the court."
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