The USA team won the game and the championship 7262. Brent Zwerneman is a staff writer for the Houston Chronicle covering Texas A&M athletics. Texas A&M's Gary Blair Texas associate head coach Johnnie Harris has worked alongside Vic Schaefer since 2007. Gary Blair cuts down a net after winning the 2011 national championship. When theyre young we do a lot of individual practices to keep improving their skill level. She's a great manager of people, and I think I've done a pretty good job of managing people, too.". Im very honest with the kids and their parents: when you earn your playing time, you will get your playing time. [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. 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. Vic turned it down and came with me to Texas A&M, and Amber stayed. He said thats the right time to retire because the program is strong and he needs to spend more time with his wife, Kyla, and their children and nine grandchildren. "We couldn't have done this 20 years ago, because we didn't have cellphones.". That will be enough., Its time to go do the other things in life. No wonder he is coaching so long gotta reestablish himself. And I truly love it. The Louisiana Tech position paid $22,500 and also provided a six-year-old brown station wagon. But things have changed so much. I dont hire bobblehead dolls. 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. Since then, the team has won more than 70 percent of its . The team finished third in the Big 12, and reached the semifinals in the Big 12 Women's Championship Tournament. The beers were in the apartment office where she walked in, so I told my friends, 'I'm going to get a beer. Last: There are not any replies to this post yet. After a strong first day of draft, Houston is the place to be. 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. Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair to retire at end - ESPN When I got to Arkansas I needed a national recruiter, so I hired Tom Collen from Purdue. Conference regular season champion Not too many players transfer from Texas A&M. I have enough energy. You cant ask for much more.. 0 Replies | He surpassed former men's coach Shelby Metcalf this season with 443 victories at A&M to become the winningest basketball coach in school history. Wishing you all the best in your retirement. "He has a lot of wisdom. Blair went 210-43 in eight seasons at SFA before moving on to the University of Arkansas. Blair will leave Aggieland as the winningest coach in Texas A&M history. Blair, 65, also became the oldest women's coach to win a national championship. looking toward the stands, where my grandson was . See our updatedPrivacy Policyto find out more about cookies and how we use your data. Thats my strength. Head Coach. I started out with something else in mind and I ended up on this path, coaching all these young women over the years. 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. During his stint at Arkansas, the womens game evolved in a way Blair had always hoped to see. I'm trying to adjust. Coach Gary Blair and the A&M women are ranked No. When I max out, Im juggling lot of hats. [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. All ex-players and all ex-coaches think we have one more (game) left in us, Blair said. 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. . 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. You think of all the people over the years, he said. 9 Replies | Ive had such a great career, he said. Its time to sit up in the stands and do what you dosecond guess the coaches.. "This is an incredible honor," Blair said. A&M (23-2) not only believed it deserved one of the four top seeds as SEC regular-season champion, but the Aggies were mystified they were shoved under the Texas Longhorns roof for the opener. Im a product of Title XI, as I was the first man to coach women in the city of Dallas. They put me into the office to work and I had a great year. You could tell Cheryl was the next coming. That allowed me to hire Mike, and it was the best hire Ive ever had. Blair used to play ping pong with Dennis. 3 with eyes on more, while the men have not even played since Jan. 30. I took the job at Stephen F and I was smart enough not to replace (longtime Louisiana State coach) Sue Gunter or Leon Barmore when he wanted out (of Louisiana Tech). All of them are still committed to us. He didn't get drafted by the Detroit Pistons until he was 24. [7] He also started the boys and girls golf team, and served as its first coach as well. I was an architecture major at TTU and a walk-on for baseball. Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair to retire at end - ESPN Every possession is a game in itself. Blair, 76, has won 838 games in his career at Stephen F. Austin, Arkansas and A&M, where he arrived in 2003. They were ready to go. a reporter reminded Blair he had defeated Nebraska in the 2010 Big 12 tournament when the Cornhuskers were 30-0 and ranked No. That team, that year, Blair said. Blair led the Aggies to the national championship in 2011. Been divorced for about 4 years. I'm going back and reading everything, whether it be older 12th Man Magazines or responding to letters. Fantasy women's basketball: Will the addition of Candace Parker shake up fantasy values on the Aces? Guard Destiny Pitts said Blair has influenced her beyond basketball. I enrolled in May, 1969 when everyone was trying to stay out. Whatever social media tells them to do, they live it in that moment. "I am fortunate that my health is still great, and I believe that I can still make an impact on our student-athletes and that I can give all my effort every single day. Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial. [3][4], Blair is also actively involved with the community. 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. "She doesn't have a job and I don't have a job," Gary said. For me, hes been almost like a grandfather, she said. He said he intends to serve A&M, the Bryan Rotary Club and his charities for Special Olympics and those with special needs. I knew him from Sam Houston State when I was at Stephen F. He was making $44,000 at Sam Houston and I brought him in at $55,000. They made it to the UIL Texas state tournament five years in a row and won the title three times. Then-UT baseball coach Augie Garrido had no qualms predicting the NCAAs intent when determining whether Texas or the University of Houston, the latter of which sported the better record that season, would host a super regional in 2014. It took 10 more years before he decided to step away. We opened that arena in the 1983-84 season and we played Cheryl Miller and USC in the opening round (of the NCAA Tournament) and we got beat at home. Hes the winningest coach in Texas A&M history with a 430-170 record in 18 seasons. It was the best decision.. He's nine wins from being the winningest basketball coach (men's or women's) in Texas A&M history. He coached for 37 years closing with Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball, who he coached from 2003 until his retirement in 2022. Todays kids live in the moment. In basketball I stayed in shape, but I couldnt shoot a lick. According to Brown-McCoy, most of the girls had never traveled outside of the Dallas area. He was raised in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Dallas. . I could sit there and feel at ease with the decision after I talked to R.C., Blair said. Joe McKeown, the head women's basketball coach at Northwestern delivered the introduction speech by videotape. [7], In October 1980, Blair was offered an assistant coaching job at Louisiana Tech by then-head coach Sonja Hogg. 3:36p, 3/5/20. Exam copy availability, Swaim-Paup-Foran Spirit of Sport Series, sponsored by James C. 74 & Debra Parchman Swaim, Nancy & T. Edgar Paup 74, & Joseph Wm. 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. Now Texas A&M women's basketball head coach Gary Blair is ready to welcome everyone back this year for the 18th annual event to help support Special Olympics. A Dallas native, Blair was the head coach at South Oak Cliff High school from 1973-1980. Joni Taylor. 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. I do not miss that, but I miss the evaluations. A Dallas native, Blair was the head coach at South Oak Cliff High school from 1973-1980. 978-1-62349-536-7 Cloth Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. What can you say about it? I just want to be that guy that hopefully did it the right way.". Request a review copy, Professors: The game was tied at 45 all, when the USA hit several free throws to take a lead they would not give up. He thanked a myriad of administrators, coaches and current and former players for his success. 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. Blair, 76, has won 838 games in his career at Stephen F. Austin . [9], Blair was inducted into the Ladyjack Hall of Fame during halftime of the Ladyjacks game against the Aggies on December 2, 2008. He ranks 12th in Division I history and fourth among active coaches. The games and wins, sure. But also, just excited for him. Well, I get the opportunity to have about 35 to 38 still left in me this year. Its been a great ride, Blair told The Athletic. I just need an arena with 94 feet to be able to compete.. 28 color photos. I pull for all the older men and women. Blair stated, "It wasnt the right fit or the right time. Blair endorsed her as his eventual successor. The game, the players. Wed take the kids home after practice just load up cars take them home. ", "I love Aggieland, and I love Fayetteville," Gary said. So, with both drenched in successful careers, how have the two made a long-distance marriage work? I had to have someone with me who could build the program up and I needed someone I could trust. Why now? [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]. Bill to earn a bachelor's degree in health and physical education with a minor in journalism from Texas Tech. (Elsa / Getty Images). He has led the Aggies to five conference titles, including the 2021 SEC regular-season title and the 2011 national championship. In November of that year, I made the decision to take the Louisiana Tech assistant job. 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. Aggies associate head coach Kelly Bond-White has been with Blair all 15 years in the program, and assistant coach Bob Starkey has been there for six. As for life after coaching, Blair said quality time with his family is at the top of his list. [3], It was during his time at SFA that Blair met his future assistant coach Vic Schaefer, who was coaching the Sam Houston State Bearkats (one of SFA's main rivals) at the time. Nan drove in from Fayetteville on Friday night in time for the Aggies' first-round NCAA Tournament game against Albany starting 5:35 p.m. Saturday in Reed Arena. Theyre not going to honor me after we beat their butt on the court, Blair said. [20], Gary Blair was named the assistant coach of the 1996 R. William Jones Cup Team. It was very good. I get people to work with me, find out about them and get to know their strengths. Stroud: Analyzing two pro days, Q&A with Texans chairman Cal McNair on GM, new coach and draft, Entering 2nd season, Jeremy Pea a celeb who doesn't act like one. He was in my third-period PE class. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and Sam Houston State University, where he played baseball. The team won 23 games (losing 9), the third-most victories in school history and a tie for the most victories in conference play ever (11 wins, 5 losses in conference). Then I joined the Marine Corps. He also started perfecting recruiting. 2023 Maroon & White LP. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and Sam Houston State University, where he played baseball. Thanks Coach. Going into the season, he ranked eighth among active Division I coaches for career coaching victories. We have a little travel in our plans, and I have a busy month of September coming up. He has photos of them in his office at A&M, former players and their families grinning alongside him. 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.. teacher, while waiting for an offer to coach the baseball team, but when asked to coach the girls' team, he accepted. "I initially stayed behind because our son (Matt) was a senior in high school," Nan said of why she's never left Fayetteville, Ark. 8 b&w photos. Gary Claude Blair (born August 10, 1945)[1] is a retired women's basketball head coach. I dont want kids to transfer, I want them to realize when they come back to a reunion like the one we had (earlier this month). A&M's Blair, Arkansas-based wife make marriage work - Chron 2,868 Views | Timing is everything in coaching. The British Open is coming up. Ive missed too many ball games, too many cheerleading things, he said. I ended up at South Oak Cliff in physical education and I was just waiting for a baseball job.. 9 seed for the NCAA Tournament and reached the NCAA Final Four. 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. The Blairs own a home in the Traditions development in Bryan that Nan designed. [10], As the head coach of the women's basketball team at Arkansas, Blair compiled a 198-120 record. The USA came back, but was still behind at halftime. He was previously head womens basketball coach at the University of Arkansas and Stephen F. Austin State University. Only the last five years in high school we were allowed to go to state. That was a special time for the game, he said. "[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. Great for Gary. Coach's Chair: Gary Blair, Texas A&M University He saida conversation with former A&M football coach R.C. "It's a French country house, and probably the only one in Bryan-College Station," Gary said. She coached a gold medal team for USA Basketball, and that always helps in recruiting. In 1977 we won our first state championship, and they asked me to be the head boys basketball coach and the coordinator of junior varsity football. 3. Whether youre shopping Way Day 2023 or Walmart, theres an al fresco set for you. 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. However, I know that it is time for this to be my final season. Ive never fired a person in my life, back to restaurant manager days. [3] Blair was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. All rights reserved. A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair. Ive got some (players) who can mimic me pretty good, and theyre usually right on. You know, I think I could coach till I am 80, Blair, now 76, said. Try a week on us. You can't stay inside the whole day. Rodman is a sports fan. Brent met his wife, KBTX-TV news anchor Crystal Galny, in the Dixie Chicken before an A&M-Texas Tech football game in 2002, and the couple has three . 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. At that time where were no coaching jobs, so I took a PE teacher job, and I volunteered to be the golf coach. I didnt want them to go back home because at that time there were a lot of single parents out working, which meant kids had a lot of time between 4 and 7 p.m. to get into trouble. The Aggies have won four conference titles and made 12 straight NCAA Tournament appearances that have included five Sweet Sixteen berths, three trips to the Elite Eight, and a National Championship in 2011. Prairie View A&M wants to leave the Texas A&M University System. Slocum, who has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments, helped him make peace with his decision. 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 . What I haven't gotten to do is spend a lot of time with my granddaughter and grandson.". Search by keyword, author, title, and more.. Blair arrived at Texas A&M in 2003,[11] taking over the Big 12 Conference's worst team, which had not had a winning season in seven years. I was always standing and coaching. I just want to be the ordinary Joe about town. Sometimes I want to do things with my wife and my grandkids. In the spring of 1977, Blair and the Bears won their first state championship. 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! "Then our daughter (Paige) and I started a business together, grandchildren had come along, and things just kept moving on.". Brent met his wife, KBTX . They offered me the head baseball job and a football coordinator job, but I turned them down to stay with the women. Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair, 76, announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of this season. "My wife and I want to do some traveling starting next summerwe've got a lot of places picked out," Blair said. He also has four grandchildren: Logan, Lola, Landry and Reagan. 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Gary Blair is the son of Lee, a plaster foreman, and Jean, a housewife. Now divorced, Blair has a son and a daughter, and three grandchildren. Taylor succeeds hall of famer Gary Blair and is inheriting a program that is one of eight schools in the past 20 years to have a national title. Been divorced for about 4 years. In other sports Im pulling for the veteran coaches. But hes still the most positive man and most popular coach in this town. Like Blair, Slocum is the winningest coach in A&M history in his sport. Oct 28, 2021. South Carolina's Aliyah Boston recorded her 20th straight double-double, an SEC record, as the Gamecocks rolled in Texas A&M coach Gary Blair's final home game. I think its just time for me to stop.. 1 of 5 Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair talks with his players in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt at the women's Southeastern Conference tournament Wednesday . They asked for volunteers to coach (girls) basketball (at South Oak Cliff), and the girls next door asked me if Id coach. The girls asked me if I'd coach them. [3], In the 20062007 season, Blair's Aggies again scored over 20 wins and reached the NCAA Tournament, this time as the fourth seed, and advanced to the second round of the tournament. 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. [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. Overall, Blair has 852 career wins, 12th all-time in Division I history, and has led the Aggies to 16 NCAA tournaments, eight Sweet Sixteens, three Elite Eights and five conference titles along with the the 2011 national championship. He has also held his "Celebrity Golf Classic" to benefit Special Olympics for over 15 years; recently, the program has raised over $100,000 annually. She is the answer going forward with this program.. GARY BLAIR, head women's basketball coach at Texas A&M University since 2003, led the Aggies to an NCAA national championship in 2011. During my last year at South Oak Cliff, we went 40-0 with perhaps one of the best teams ever. Finish last in your league, and they call you an idiot, said Lemons, Texas basketball coach from 1976-82. I think we shared that reaction, Nixon said. "It's who's going to retire first who's going to win that battle," said a grinning Gary, 66. 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. It didnt take long five successful seasons for others to come calling for Blair. I'm going to sit down and enjoy watching. Thanks David it's great to hear from Coach Blair Aggie Legend! Fantasy women's basketball: Whose numbers could fall in 2023? None of the big six major cities in Texas had womens athletics before Title IX. 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. You played baseball in college. "She had white scrubs on and looked like a nurse. TexAgs is an independent site and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. I usually ask experienced coaches how young people have changed since you first began coaching, but you have 45 years of experience. I love it enough. Before anyone wanted him on a field, though, a group of young ladies needed him on a court. In the family: Kelly Bond-White, Texas A&M associate head . Sport makes us better. I turned it down to stay with the women. He was also inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2023. The one thing I want to be able to do is that I want to leave on good terms. In the NCAA tournament, the team lost to eventual national champion Tennessee. I have no regrets and just hold my colleagues, my players and the game in such high regards. 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. [15], On February 20, 2008, Blair posted his 500th career win as a head coach at Reed Arena against the Iowa State Cyclones.[16]. It took me two weeks to make up my mind. He published his autobiography, A Coaching Life, last year. tears streaming down the faces of former players . I actually fell in love with the kids, and to this day its still the best job Ive ever had, because it gave me the confidence to do what Im doing now. Early in his first season, he offered four free tickets to a game during an interview on a local radio station. We kept winning in every sport, and I was the head coach of all four women's sports at South Oak Cliff. Gary Blair - engaged? | TexAgs Bryce Young vs. C.J. Blair joined TexAgs Radio on Monday morning to discuss life after basketball and so much more. Abe Lemons once described the difference between coaching and most other jobs. I dont need a rocking chair or a plaque or anything like that. What Im trying to do is max out every day. Blair joined TexAgs Radio on Monday morning to discuss life after basketball and so much more. The transfer portal, the constant debates about compensating athletes, a pandemic that canceled high school basketball seasons and an NCAA Tournament, the changes in recruiting in a world that has turned to virtual meetings at a high rate Blair would rather sit back and watch the game evolve around all of the new challenges rather than be in the midst of it. Ive been at basketball schools all the way, to (A&M). [14], Following their successful season, Blair was named the Women's Basketball News Service National Coach of the Year. "But he was nice looking.". Well, I wasnt busy coaching baseball, so I jumped on that chance. Leon Barmore was the Bobby Knight of womens basketball. Blair is a member of seven halls of fame, including the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. "Having my name on that beautiful floor is a humbling experience. Sometimes you have to wait for things. Hes helped me a lot off the court, too.. All the ones youve met and coached and had in your life. He handled the defense, and it was the first time Id really turned over the defense to an assistant coach. Im a builder, so I had to build that Stephen F team. Senior captain Jordan Nixon admitted she was caught off guard when Blair informed the team this would be his final season. He got the nickname "The Worm" from playing pinball back in the day. They used to ride in vans and wear tube socks. . Gary Blair Court at Reed Arena will be officially dedicated during a pregame . He led the Aggies to the NCAA national championship in 2011. But the time has come.. We stayed another five years.