coach gary blair wife

Like Blair, Slocum is the winningest coach in A&M history in his sport. See our updatedPrivacy Policyto find out more about cookies and how we use your data. He figured he had a few more years left in him. (Elsa / Getty Images). Well, I wasnt busy coaching baseball, so I jumped on that chance. Humility. . All of them are still committed to us. He is the kind of guy who meets you once, sees you years later and remembers your name and some small random fact from a conversation you had. Gary Blair Court at Reed Arena will be officially dedicated during a pregame . 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. The game was tied at 45 all, when the USA hit several free throws to take a lead they would not give up. I got the girl's coaching job by default because nobody else wanted it. Why now? Rodman is a sports fan. Blair still marvels at the serendipity that brought him to coaching. He has photos of them in his office at A&M, former players and their families grinning alongside him. On Thursday night, Blair will coach the Texas A&M women's team at . 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. We won state the next year in 1977. After this season his 50th coaching Blair will retire and leave a stamp the size of Texas on the game of basketball. Blair stated, "It wasnt the right fit or the right time. 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. 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. The sport was narrowly on his radar in 1972 when he was a PE teacher at South Oak Cliff in Dallas. I told Sue that two things have to happen: you have to come with me and my wife has to come with me. What else can they do to us? Blair wondered Monday night of the selection committee. Blair didnt find it easy upon his arrival from Arkansas nearly two decades ago. How can you be No. All rights reserved. I left the high school game in 1980 when Barmore and Hogg called me up. During his last six seasons, his teams were consistently ranked in the final AP Top 25 polls. I played ping pong and basketball with Dennis Rodman when he was a kid. 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. Last: There are not any replies to this post yet. Blair is one of only three all-time DI womens basketball coaches to lead two different teams to the Final Four, and is one of eight coaches to lead three different teams to the NCAA Tournament. Texas A&M said nearly 60 of Blair's former assistants or players became head coaches, including six currently at the Division I level: LSU's Kim Mulkey, Texas' Vic Schaefer, Arkansas' Mike Neighbors, Auburn's Johnnie Harris, Georgia Tech's Nell Fortner and Lamar's A'Quonesia Franklin. 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. All the ones youve met and coached and had in your life. For me, hes been almost like a grandfather, she said. Gary Claude Blair (born August 10, 1945)[1] is a retired women's basketball head coach. 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. A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, the 76-year-old Blair has a career record of 838-333 in 36 seasons at Stephen F. Austin, Arkansas and Texas A&M. The key to keeping a good sense of humor through this long stroll called life? The game, the players. All rights reserved. The team also won the 2008 Big 12 conference tournament title. I turned it down to stay with the women. 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. Blair, 76, has won 838 games in his career at Stephen F. Austin . 2023 Maroon & White LP. Joni Taylor is doing very well. "When they're together, you can just tell how much they care about each other," A&M guard Sydney Carter said. His teams reached the semifinals in the SEC tournament in both 2001 and 2002.[3]. In 1985, he landed his first college head coaching job at Stephen F. Austin. 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 love it enough. So many things happened that I will never forget . They were ready to go. Fantasy women's basketball: Will the addition of Candace Parker shake up fantasy values on the Aces. "They just feed off each other so well.". I will not be second-guessing. When I got to Arkansas I needed a national recruiter, so I hired Tom Collen from Purdue. Been engaged a year to a wonderful lady. When theyre young we do a lot of individual practices to keep improving their skill level. Sport makes us better. . Coachs Chair: Gary Blair, Texas A&M University, No. It was shocking. Im around all the other events; Im the only coach thats in a civic club. Dennis stayed and became the best he could be. "He has a lot of wisdom. Over the past 19 seasons, the program . He was in my third-period PE class. Blair is well-known and well-liked throughout the SEC. The couple doesn't really discuss where they'll end up. Thanks David it's great to hear from Coach Blair Aggie Legend! Our student body is 62,000 strong, and there are other things in life just as important as basketball. Request a review copy, Professors: Blair can keep going, listing players from those South Oak Cliff teams. You cant ask for much more.. 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. The girls asked me if I'd coach them. "This little, good-looking redhead walked by," Blair said. The next year, it became a paid thing. [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. I get people to work with me, find out about them and get to know their strengths. At each new place, there was a new challenge and something to build, but it was always worth it, he said. . Blair and Lewis did not get along, and their professional relationship became even more strained once the Arkansas athletic programs were divided and Lewis became the women's AD. 9 Replies | During his first season, the Lady Razorbacks won 15 of their 29 games, their first winning season in several years. From 1993-2003, he was the head coach at Arkansas. Chennedy (Carter) hit a three and I thought we would pull it off, but Georgia controlled the OT. We have a little travel in our plans, and I have a busy month of September coming up. . It was the best decision.. [3][4], Blair is also actively involved with the community. Gary, who has three years remaining on his A&M contract, has shown no signs of slowing. He coached for 37 years closing with Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball, who he coached from 2003 until his retirement in 2022. We were just coming off of a state championship team and I had just got married. Mobile phones. Well hold on to these and were not finished recruiting.. Texas A&M announced on Thursday that its basketball court will be named in honor of retiring women's coach Gary Blair. That team, that year, Blair said. 3. [3] For the first time in his career, however, one of Blair's team suffered a losing season. Unfortunately, these kids today, before they get finished with a practice theyre talking to their supporters, their friends or their mama about their bad practice. [20], Gary Blair was named the assistant coach of the 1996 R. William Jones Cup Team. I miss talking about the game I watched the other night. We stayed another five years. The years he spent at South Oak Cliff were some of his favorites. Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair, 76, announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of this season. In November of that year, I made the decision to take the Louisiana Tech assistant job. 1 and No. Melissa Gregg is a Dallas police officer. [4], National champion COLLEGE STATION - Gary Blair was in mid-swing in a water volleyball game that summer day in. Request a review copy, Professors: 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. The coming season will almost certainly include. I just want to be the ordinary Joe about town. I pull for people whove had to go through things. To me, thats the least of my worries. 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 b&w photos. Been engaged a year to a wonderful lady. His teams have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 15 consecutive seasons. The first year we were a Cinderella team and went to the Final Four. Hes eager for that final year of competition. 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. A&M is all about leadership. 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. 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. Ive had such a great career, he said. 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. He talks about his beginnings often, about the chances he was given and the opportunities he seized. They didnt miss. [4] He would coach under Leon Barmore, who replaced Hogg. 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. You could tell Cheryl was the next coming. Kelly Bond-White has been with me 21 years, he said. This portable Cubii under-desk elliptical is $129 off today. Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial. Its still difficult to describe the scene after the final buzzer sounded, because the moment was just so damned surreal, writes head coach Gary Blair following the conclusion of the title game of the 2011 NCAA Division I womens basketball tournament. I'm trying to adjust. Coach Gary Blair and the A&M women are ranked No. You cant explain how special it is to see your team work that way and win those games.. He got a U.S. Army draft notice in 1969, and decided to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, completing a two-year tour of duty. The beers were in the apartment office where she walked in, so I told my friends, 'I'm going to get a beer. We have recently updated ourPrivacy Policy. 23 in the AP preseason poll. I have enough energy. If its about money, Garrido said with a wry smile, well play in Austin.. But I made an attempt to get them all here.. Im not like Bush 41, but like Bush 43. I have a lot of responsibility, a lot of flexibility, and I argue with my assistants all the time. . He was with me two or three years. I apologize. [14] This marked the first time in Aggie history that the women's basketball team had earned consecutive NCAA tournament berths. Theheat doesn't bother me as long as I can play golf early in the morning. He never meant to coach womens basketball. ", "It's really special for us to be playing in his last season," Aggies guard Destiny Pitts said. "But I've done Fayetteville. According to Brown-McCoy, most of the girls had never traveled outside of the Dallas area. In the family: Kelly Bond-White, Texas A&M associate head . Gary Blair is the son of Lee, a plaster foreman, and Jean, a housewife. She was a nurse at Parkland Memorial who was moving into The Square apartments - Gary's longtime stomping grounds - in Dallas. Vic turned it down and came with me to Texas A&M, and Amber stayed. When he told us, we were a little surprised because we know that he could keep coaching if he wants to. Every possession is a game in itself. 2, Connecticut?. The first five years at Tech we were national champs, national champs, second, third, and Elite Eight. [14], Following their successful season, Blair was named the Women's Basketball News Service National Coach of the Year. "I've got our kids and grandkids up in Arkansas with me," Nan said. Her first impression of the convivial coach and his recruiting ability? 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. [3] Blair was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. Whether youre shopping Way Day 2023 or Walmart, theres an al fresco set for you. [4] He also played a year of baseball for the Red Raidershe was a defensive center fielder with self-described poor hitting skills. [3], Blair made history with his 19971998 team. What I haven't gotten to do is spend a lot of time with my granddaughter and grandson.". 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. Theres 17 other national championships we didnt win. I had to play the Title IX card to get a director of basketball operations. Texas A&M coach Gary Blair, against Mississippi earlier this season, has his own style of wit and wisdom. flashbulbs popping as the Aggie Band played triumphantly . Part of that attraction stems from the old line about absence making the heart grow fonder, considering the last quarter of their 32-year marriage has been spent separated by what Nan dubs "nine hours and 15 minutes" of asphalt. 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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. Its time to sit up in the stands and do what you dosecond guess the coaches.. Thats when we brought in Johnnie Harris, who did a wonderful job for me. I want to be the first coach at A&M to leave since Bear Bryant, on his own terms. [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. Bobby Knight would have a hard time coaching today, and Barmore. 2,868 Views | He is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and Sam Houston State University, where he played baseball. 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. 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. Been divorced for about 4 years. Im a builder, so I had to build that Stephen F team. Blair is one of only three all-time DI women's basketball coaches to lead two different teams to the Final Four, and is one of eight coaches to lead three different teams to the NCAA Tournament. . Congratulations on his upcoming (I assume) nuptials! I dont hire bobblehead dolls. Hes a treasure not only on the floor but off the floor.. All rights reserved. Finish last in medical school, and they call you a doctor.. Hes helped me a lot off the court, too.. Blair joined TexAgs Radio on Monday morning to discuss life after basketball and so much more. He loved their passion, the camaraderie, the hunger to win. Theres no one in my generation who will ever eclipse his achievements. [19], On October 28, 2021, Blair announced he would retire from coaching at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. So after 18 months and seven days I sprinted back to Texas to finish my last year of school. 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. You have to get outside. ", 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. I'm going back and reading everything, whether it be older 12th Man Magazines or responding to letters. Early in his high school career, he was the most average guy that you had ever seen. I think we shared that reaction, Nixon said. I have no regrets and just hold my colleagues, my players and the game in such high regards. His teams won three state Class 4A championships, in 1977, 1978, and 1980, and finished as the runner-up in 1979 by only two points. My friends sentme pictures. Senior captain Jordan Nixon admitted she was caught off guard when Blair informed the team this would be his final season. What is the foundation for building a good team culture? He loved the players. 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. Conference regular season and conference tournament champion 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. He knew all the kids and traveled to see them. We missed out on plenty of them, he said, laughing. 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. Blairs final season with the Aggiesbegins on Nov. 9 against A&M-Corpus Christi at Reed Arena. 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. We're trying to redo my study and our game room. [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. "Thank you and Gig 'Em. [3], Blair's first head coaching experience at the collegiate level came at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. 9 seed for the NCAA Tournament and reached the NCAA Final Four. Brent is the author of four published books about Texas A&M, three related to A&M athletics. Gary Blair is the son of Lee, a plaster foreman, and Jean, a housewife. Thirty-four years later, Nan still thinks so - and the two have a mutual attraction. Bill to earn a bachelor's degree in health and physical education with a minor in journalism from Texas Tech. 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. Schools all send me away with a gift basket and the kindest words. He handled the defense, and it was the first time Id really turned over the defense to an assistant coach. Can you talk about your experience coaching at Louisiana Tech, at the dawning of womens collegiate basketball? That will be enough., Its time to go do the other things in life. It didnt take long five successful seasons for others to come calling for Blair. Sonja Hogg is the first lady of college basketball: she knew how to dress, how to press, and she knew how to recruit. We were in Okinawa when everyone was trying to pull troops back. Fantasy women's basketball: Will the addition of Candace Parker shake up fantasy values on the Aces? Only two tickets were claimed. I want to be known in this community as more than just a basketball coach, and people appreciate that. 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. 42 (UConn wins Dance; WBB ratings boom), 'I'm very honored and humbled': Gary Blair discusses Hall of Fame honor. The USA team won their opening seven games, behind the scoring leadership of Sheri Sam, who averaged 13 points per game. Right now, it's a mess in college athletics. The one thing I want to be able to do is that I want to leave on good terms. 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. The following year his team, which consisted of 9 freshmen and sophomores, won 23 games and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament. That was a special time for the game, he said. It was middle-class and tough, and it had turned 100 percent black in two years. "We couldn't have done this 20 years ago, because we didn't have cellphones.". 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. I flunked out of architecture, which didnt make me eligible for baseball. Thats my strength. I even watch WWE. So Blair, then a hip 33 and coach of South Oak Cliff High's girls basketball team, strolled into the office and coaxed the manager to introduce him to Nan Smith. The USA came back, but was still behind at halftime. What can you say about it? . [6], When head women's basketball coach Marsha Sharp retired from Texas Tech in 2006, Blair got calls from his friends to take over the position. So, with both drenched in successful careers, how have the two made a long-distance marriage work? [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. 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. The team, unranked in the national polls, received a No. And a volleyball coach, and a track coach. 0. Those impressive accomplishments arent good enough for Blair, who began his career in 1973 as a coach at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas. 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. Texas A&M's Gary Blair Texas associate head coach Johnnie Harris has worked alongside Vic Schaefer since 2007. A Dallas native, Blair was the head coach at South Oak Cliff High school from 1973-1980. Brent is the author of four published books about Texas A&M, three related to A&M athletics. Slocum, who has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments, helped him make peace with his decision. 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. Blair will leave Aggieland as the winningest coach in Texas A&M history. Generator vs power station: Which one is right for you? After his tour, he lived in the Los Angeles area, running a restaurant in Costa Mesa and Culver City. 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.

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