Joni Taylor is doing very well. 2:28p, 3/5/20. Blair said in a statement on Thursday. All of them are still committed to us. 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. It was very good. [12], Blair is married to Kyla Blair and has four children and nine grandchildren. In his final season with the Lady Razorbacks, the team finished the season ranked 24th nationally and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Great for Gary. But you dont change your values and your principles, and when those kids were sitting there with their parents, I had respect from them with their family. Thats a long-winded answer but thats who I am.. I never sat down during our games for 19 years. This outlines how and why we collect, store and use your personal data when you use our website. Gary Blair Court at Reed Arena will be officially dedicated during a pregame . Gary Blair Court at Reed Arena will be officially dedicated during a pregame ceremony on Feb. 24 when the Aggies face South Carolina. I ended up coaching women's basketball because there wasn't a coaching job when I took the PE job at South Oak Cliff. 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. A group of girls from South Oak Cliff were ready to play any and every sport they could. Like Blair, Slocum is the winningest coach in A&M history in his sport. Not too many players transfer from Texas A&M. In basketball I stayed in shape, but I couldnt shoot a lick. Blair joined TexAgs Radio on Monday morning to discuss life after basketball and so much more. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and Sam Houston State University, where he played baseball. Blair still marvels at the serendipity that brought him to coaching. "She doesn't have a job and I don't have a job," Gary said. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. I had to play the Title IX card to get a director of basketball operations. In the 1970s the kids had to wash their own clothes. Nestled between the central and eastern parts of Texas, A&M was in proximity to loads of basketball talent in hotbeds for the sport like Houston and Dallas. 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. Here's how to score the best deals on tickets, plus all the free promotions you won't want to miss. As for life after coaching, Blair said quality time with his family is at the top of his list. Leon Barmore was the Bobby Knight of womens basketball. He can tell you all about their kids, their jobs, their successes. I told Sue that two things have to happen: you have to come with me and my wife has to come with me. You can buy a ticket early or pay at the door. At the time of the offer, Blair was making an annual salary of $22,000. All three of us were six months apart in age. I miss all that, but it's time for the next chapter. "I've got nine grandkids that I want to go spend more time with. Y'all keep playing.' Request a review copy, Professors: I had a rule for my kids that they had to play all of (the sports). 10,331 Views | I want to be known in this community as more than just a basketball coach, and people appreciate that. "When they're together, you can just tell how much they care about each other," A&M guard Sydney Carter said. You cant explain how special it is to see your team work that way and win those games.. [3], Overall, in his first three years as the head coach of the Aggies, A&M home attendance increased 156%, with a school-record 11,088 fans watching the team play Baylor University. Fantasy women's basketball: Whose numbers could fall in 2023? Soon-to-retire Texas A&M women's coach Gary Blair talks with South Carolina counterpart Dawn Staley before the top-ranked Gamecocks' 89-48 victory Thursday night. Athletic Director Ross Bjork said that she would be among those under consideration. How did you get into womens basketball, and where did you get your basketball knowledge? This is a reflection year more than anything, and I'm trying to get organized. Brent is the author of four published books about Texas A&M, three related to A&M athletics. I get people to work with me, find out about them and get to know their strengths. I think we shared that reaction, Nixon said. [7] He was initially the boy's P.E. Whether you're walking for exercise or playing pickleballlike my wife does on Monday nights. Coach Gary Blair and the A&M women are ranked No. But the way you saw their confidence grow, the way they lit up in the gym and had so much fun and worked so hard. Beyond the trophies, beyond the impressive won-lost record compiled over more than four decades of coaching, beyond even the ungrudging professional respect he has achieved among his peers in a fiercely competitive occupation, Gary Blair values the images, moments, and memories collected during a life spent doing what he loves most: coaching . I will not be second-guessing. 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. It didnt take long five successful seasons for others to come calling for Blair. I can tell you everything about Wimbledon because I got to watch a lot of it. 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 children: Will, Zoe and Brady. [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. What is the foundation for building a good team culture? You want to see people compete. Joe McKeown, the head women's basketball coach at Northwestern delivered the introduction speech by videotape. I didnt start coaching until I was 27. Todays kids live in the moment. [4], National champion [13], The following year the Aggies improved, earning a postseason invitation for the first time since 1996. He knew all the kids and traveled to see them. Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire. 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. How can you be No. He was raised in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Dallas. At age 27, he used his G.I. I was always standing and coaching. A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair. . Abe Lemons once described the difference between coaching and most other jobs. kissing my wife on the floor of Conseco Fieldhouse . The girls asked me if I'd coach them. . Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair announced on Thursday that this season will be the last of his historic career. [21], Blair has received the following honors over his coaching career:[22], Blair was inducted in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in June 2013. If its about money, Garrido said with a wry smile, well play in Austin.. 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. I was in the middle of that with recruiting. How will you know when its time to retire? It was back then Old Dominion, Louisiana Tech, Long Beach State, Western Kentucky and Cheney State that were the big dogs. [3] Despite Blair's winning record at Arkansas and taking the program to its first ever Final Four just four years earlier, then-women's program athletic director Bev Lewis relieved Blair of his coaching duties after the season. I enrolled in May, 1969 when everyone was trying to stay out. 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. Its time to sit up in the stands and do what you dosecond guess the coaches.. "Thank you and Gig 'Em. Blair went 210-43 in eight seasons at SFA before moving on to the University of Arkansas. In 2003, Gary was hired from Arkansas to revive the Big 12's worst program in A&M. There is the good, the bad and the ugly of social media. Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial. We stayed another five years. When he told us, we were a little surprised because we know that he could keep coaching if he wants to. TexAgs is an independent site and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. That team, that year, Blair said. Tennessee coach Kellie Harper and Texas A&M coach Gary Blair meet after an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Scott Keller/The Daily Times via AP) It worked, and I dont know if it could ever work again with the egos that the three of us had. I dont know whats more important to them. He was only 5-foot-11. They made it to the UIL Texas state tournament five years in a row and won the title three times. Social media is now as important as the three-point line. The Astros gave four underdog pitchers a shot. I do not miss that, but I miss the evaluations. He was also interviewing for the New Mexico State job, which he didnt want to take. Welcome back, Gary", "Built from scratch: Blair, Texas A&M on a roll", "Women's head coach Gary Blair seeks more improvement through patience", "It's strictly business for Texas A&M on this visit to California", "On women's basketball: Texas A&M completes tournaround", "Blair picks up No. Division regular season champion She was the first 6-3 kid who could play all five positions. After this season his 50th coaching Blair will retire and leave a stamp the size of Texas on the game of basketball. I have a lot of responsibility, a lot of flexibility, and I argue with my assistants all the time. Ive got some (players) who can mimic me pretty good, and theyre usually right on. That will be enough., Its time to go do the other things in life. She will be somebody we will keep an eye on throughout the year just as we will a lot of different coaches around the country.. Only the last five years in high school we were allowed to go to state. They were ready to go. I'm going back and reading everything, whether it be older 12th Man Magazines or responding to letters. A Dallas native, Blair was the head coach at South Oak Cliff High school from 1973-1980. The games and wins, sure. Available, Media: Blair, 76, has won 838 games in his career at Stephen F. Austin . Meanwhile, Nan had advanced through the nursing ranks, winning numerous honors along the way, and was 11 years into a teaching career at Arkansas when her husband was hired to coach the Aggies. You cant ask for much more.. [3], Blair made history with his 19971998 team. The NCAA Tournaments first round is being held in San Antonio, San Marcos and Austin because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the rest of the tournament in San Antonio. Im not playing kids just to keep them from transferring. Blair didnt find it easy upon his arrival from Arkansas nearly two decades ago. 978-1-62349-536-7 Cloth The USA came back, but was still behind at halftime. Pub Date: 01/27/2017 He didn't play high school sports because South Oak Cliff was so hard to make teams back in those days. 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. She was ahead of her time. Texas A&M was picked to finish second in the SEC preseason coaches' poll, and is ranked No. I was used to that for 50 years, but now, it's a little bit different. 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 . 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. Those were special years.. Bobby Knight would have a hard time coaching today, and Barmore. ". The USA team won their opening seven games, behind the scoring leadership of Sheri Sam, who averaged 13 points per game. 2023 Maroon & White LP. In the 200708 season, Blair led his squad to a school-first NCAA Elite Eight appearance and a 298 overall record. I hired him from $72,000 to $14,000, and he had kept up with everything through his high school, and he knew so much about recruiting nationally through AAU. "She had white scrubs on and looked like a nurse. Thats when we brought in Johnnie Harris, who did a wonderful job for me. The team also won the 2008 Big 12 conference tournament title. 9 Replies | So special, in fact, that when Blair was offered the opportunity to move up to the collegiate basketball level and coach at Louisiana Tech in 1980, he was unsure if he would go. "But I've done Fayetteville. Blairs coaching tree includes Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer and Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors, whose teams Texas A&M faces in Southeastern Conference play. He figured he had a few more years left in him. I just need an arena with 94 feet to be able to compete., - Gary Blair on being honored in opposing gyms this season. For his efforts, Blair was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame. [7] He also started the boys and girls golf team, and served as its first coach as well. "[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 sport was narrowly on his radar in 1972 when he was a PE teacher at South Oak Cliff in Dallas. He coached for 37 years closing with Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball, who he coached from 2003 until his retirement in 2022. He has been a member of Rotary International for more than 20 years. Massive ranch up for sale near Texas next big state park, Texas man catches giant alligator snapping turtle, releases it, Family gets largest known jail-death settlement in Texas, 3,800-acre San Antonio-area property to become Texas state park, Police: Possible sighting of Cleveland, Texas shooter was false, Uber ranks Houston among most 'forgetful' U.S. cities, Texas college baseball player hit by stray bullet mid-game, You can own your own cave system for a cool $875k, home included, Former KPRC 2 anchor Dominique Sachse to launch podcast Monday, Texas House passes bill to decriminalize marijuana, Watch: Fire breaks out at Houston's Traders Village, Texas to host national hot air balloon championship this summer, Massive Coastal Bend ranch up for sale near Texas next big state park, Texas man catches massive alligator snapping turtle, then releases it back into the wild, Family gets largest known jail-death settlement in Texas: 'We wanted justice', Property north of San Antonio set to become a new Texas state park, Possible sighting of Cleveland, Texas shooter was false, police say, Uber ranks Houston among the most 'forgetful' U.S. cities, Texas A&M University-Texarkana baseball player hit by a stray bullet mid-game. But the time has come.. Sometimes you grow up, and sometimes you grow. His two sisters were over six foot. Flash02. Blair is a member of seven halls of fame, including the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. 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. 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. [12] In his first season with Texas A&M, Blair worked very hard to attract fans to the women's basketball games, and by the end of the season attendance had increased 71 percent over the previous year, the best increase in the Big 12 Conference. When you work with the top players in the country, they get to see why you're one of the top coaches in the country. We have a little travel in our plans, and I have a busy month of September coming up. The couple doesn't really discuss where they'll end up. I could sit there and feel at ease with the decision after I talked to R.C., Blair said. Reflection is a good time instead of procrastination, which I've done for a long time. Back then I felt like the girls needed me. 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. You know, I think I could coach till I am 80, Blair, now 76, said. Going into the season, he ranked eighth among active Division I coaches for career coaching victories. Bill to earn a bachelor's degree in health and physical education with a minor in journalism from Texas Tech. Hed built a program from scratch and helped bring visibility to girls basketball in the state. Around that time, the school offered him the head baseball job hed coveted. ", "I love Aggieland, and I love Fayetteville," Gary said. 6.12 x 9.25 x 0 in 288 pp. Bryce Young vs. C.J. Humility. I took the job thinking this will be good for a year or two. There wont be another one (like him), A&M mens basketball coach Buzz Williams said of Blair. Sometimes, we can agree to disagree. We won state again. Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial. [20], Gary Blair was named the assistant coach of the 1996 R. William Jones Cup Team. I got the girls involved in an intramural program, and that's when Title IX was passed. On Thursday night, Blair will coach the Texas A&M women's team at . He was underpaid, he worked around facility issues, he had to better himself as a coach. Search by keyword, author, title, and more.. [3] At South Oak Cliff, Blair coached Debra and Kim Rodman, Dennis Rodman's sisters. Blair stated, "It wasnt the right fit or the right time. I'm a sports fan. This portable Cubii under-desk elliptical is $129 off today. It wasnt long before we saw he was a money-making machine. "Having my name on that beautiful floor is a humbling experience. All rights reserved. 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. Hes a five-time winner of APSE National Top 10 writing awards for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News, including in 2021 breaking the bombshell college football story of the decade: Texas and Oklahoma secretly planning a move to the SEC. Thats my strength. The USA team was dominant, winning their games by an average off 33 points per game. Idont need a rocking chair or a plaque or anything like that. Head Coach. . Thirty-four years later, Nan still thinks so - and the two have a mutual attraction. [4] He would coach under Leon Barmore, who replaced Hogg. We kept winning in every sport, and I was the head coach of all four women's sports at South Oak Cliff. Thought it was strange she never moved to College Station. The game was tied at 45 all, when the USA hit several free throws to take a lead they would not give up. What else can they do to us? Blair wondered Monday night of the selection committee. Then had Amber Nichols Shirey, who ended up staying there she is still the director of basketball operations there. He bowled on a faculty team with their mother, Shirley. Ive missed too many ball games, too many cheerleading things, he said. "Then our daughter (Paige) and I started a business together, grandchildren had come along, and things just kept moving on.". He loved their passion, the camaraderie, the hunger to win. The joy that bursts out of Gary Blair as he talks about his storied career simply cant be contained. Oct 28, 2021. Didn't realize I said something inappropriate. GARY BLAIR, head women's basketball coach at Texas A&M University since 2003, led the Aggies to an NCAA national championship in 2011. I can get something out of all three of those. Over the past 19 seasons, the program . It's good to be back. Theheat doesn't bother me as long as I can play golf early in the morning. Sometimes you have to wait for things. My all-city friend came to see us play the other day, and hes the bench warmer now. Our fans were getting restless, he offered in his typical bemused delivery. Weve lost recent games to South Carolina and Tennessee, but we were right there until the last possession. Coach Blair has been a tireless advocate for women's basketball in general and was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. I play golf about four days a week in the mornings. I started out with something else in mind and I ended up on this path, coaching all these young women over the years. I THINK she heads up the Arky nursing school. He published his autobiography, A Coaching Life, last year. I pull for people whove had to go through things. What's tough right now is that Tuesday was the first day on the road for all my coaches. All rights reserved. Blair will complete a 50-year coaching career when this season ends. Slocum has always been active in the Bryan-College Station community. He was also inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2023. After his tour, he lived in the Los Angeles area, running a restaurant in Costa Mesa and Culver City. [14], Following their successful season, Blair was named the Women's Basketball News Service National Coach of the Year. 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. 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. The team, unranked in the national polls, received a No. 0 Replies | Mobile phones. 1 in top 25 women's college basketball preseason rankings, Predictions for all 32 women's college basketball conference races, 2022 women's recruiting class rankings: Trio of Pac-12 teams lead the way. [19], On October 28, 2021, Blair announced he would retire from coaching at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. Joni Taylor. [2] During his five seasons there, Louisiana Tech reached the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament four times, winning two national championships. Gary, who has three years remaining on his A&M contract, has shown no signs of slowing. Well hold on to these and were not finished recruiting.. Chennedy (Carter) hit a three and I thought we would pull it off, but Georgia controlled the OT. Request a review copy, Professors: He ranks 12th in Division I history and fourth among active coaches. TexAgs is an independent site and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. The USA team won the game and the championship 7262. He even gave out his home address for the lucky first four who showed up. You have to get outside. "This little, good-looking redhead walked by," Blair said. We support him.. We missed out on plenty of them, he said, laughing. I miss talking about the game I watched the other night. Gary Blair - Women's Basketball Coach - Texas A&M Athletics - 12thMan.com Gary Blair Title Head Coach Twitter CoachGaryBlair E-Mail gblair@athletics.tamu.edu THE BLAIR FILE COACHING HONORS Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: 2013 New York Athletic Club Winged Foot Award: 2011 flashbulbs popping as the Aggie Band played triumphantly . 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. We were up five in OT and we struggled so much, but Georgia played great. Texas A&M's Gary Blair is retiring. [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. The only friend Ive ever hired is Vic; everyone else I hire for their strengths. 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). We (coaching staff) spent two hours last night with current recruits, Blair said. 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. 0. I dont hire bobblehead dolls. Title IX came in 1972, and schools had to put womens athletics in larger cities, whereas before they had only existed in small towns. Gary Blair became Texas A&M's coach in 2003. Post-spoiler alert: The NCAA chose Austin, and the Longhorns advanced to the College World Series. I just need an arena with 94 feet to be able to compete.. [3] Blair was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. The Make or Break For Jimbo's Tenure, Cromartie taking shots at the coaching staff. "But he was nice looking.". In 36 years as a head coach, he has had 35 winning seasons, 30 20-win seasons and 41 postseason victories, which ranks fifth among active coaches. The key to keeping a good sense of humor through this long stroll called life? Kelly Bond-White has been with me 21 years, he said. 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. Blair, 65, also became the oldest women's coach to win a national championship. When R.C. . Hes the winningest coach in Texas A&M history with a 430-170 record in 18 seasons. That is the trait Blair has most in common with Garrido, the iconic UT baseball coach who died three years ago this month from complications following a stroke: a super sharp wit masking a sharper drive to win. Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair will retire after the 2021-22 season, officially making the announcement in a school release Thursday morning. Early in his first season, he offered four free tickets to a game during an interview on a local radio station. 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. Her first impression of the convivial coach and his recruiting ability? Thanks David it's great to hear from Coach Blair Aggie Legend! 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. Blair and Homer Norton, who coached football from 1934-47, are the lone two A&M coaches to win national titles in the three major sports at the university: football, basketball and baseball. I just want to be the ordinary Joe about town. We missed last year.. And you see how that turned out.. His teams have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 15 consecutive seasons. I turned it down to stay with the women. Sonja Hogg is the first lady of college basketball: she knew how to dress, how to press, and she knew how to recruit. I was the head coach for basketball, volleyball, track and cross country for eight years, and I loved it. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and Sam Houston State University, where he played baseball. "She's seven years younger than I am, so we'll see.". I had to put silk flowers in the urinals at away games because we always had to use the boys locker room as visitors. 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 . 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. But there werent a lot of high school coaching jobs available. "I always evaluate myself on: Am I giving everything I have, is my health good and am I still able to make an impact on young lives?" . When the federal civil rights law was passed in the summer of 1972, schools all over the country that hadnt implemented athletic programming for girls were scrambling to do so. He is a stepfather to her two children, Callie and James, and is also a father to Paige and Matt Blair from his previous marriage with Nan Smith. I dont need a rocking chair or a plaque or anything like that. Generator vs power station: Which one is right for you? He was with me two or three years. Been engaged a year to a wonderful lady. (Elsa / Getty Images).

Plattsburgh State Hockey Roster, Shuttle To Galveston Cruise Port, Articles C