Conversation: Brian Hosfeld and Tonya Johnson
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Brian Hosfeld
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Tonya Johnson
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You both are fairly new to the University of Texas and the city of Austin. What were your first thoughts upon arrival at UT about the University, the volleyball program and the city?
Tonya Johnson: When you think of Texas you think of tradition, first class, and about people who are doing things the right way in the athletics world.
Brian Hosfeld: When you think of Austin, you think of one of the nicer places to live in the Big 12.
TJ: Austin is really a great city and I really love living here.
As the Horns get ready for their first appearance in the Sweet 16 in six years, what are your thoughts on the team's success so far this season?
TJ: I think ourplayers have worked hard to get to this point. It started in the spring and has carried over to now. Going to Europe and having that great team bonding experience in the spring and then most of them being here for summer school and working out together all summer has had a lot to do with our progress. It is very exciting. I know what it feels like as a player and now I know what it feels like as a coach. It is that same excitement, but just from the other side of the coin now.
BH: It started from the get-go in terms of working with Tonya and (Head Coach) Jerritt (Elliott), it has been a lot of fun to come to the office and the gym everyday. It is the same with the team. They are a great group of women who put in a lot of time and effort in, and they are fun to be around. So that makes it a lot easier for us as coaches. Back in the beginning of August we had a good idea that we could have a lot of success this year. Fortunately everything has come together and we are still working on it.
What do the Longhorns need to do to continue their success this weekend in Green Bay, Wisc.?
BH: The team needs to be determined to make whatever they want to happen, actually happen. It seems like we have been pretty successful and focused to make the outcome go the way that we want it to. Our formula will not change too much.
TJ: I think the key to our success this year has been the serve and pass game and I think that is going to be important again on Friday.
Four freshmen have made an outstanding contribution to the team this season. Talk a little about those contributions and what the freshmen have meant to the success of this team.
TJ: I think that we got some players to commit to our program who are all about winning. They have been successful in high school and they have come to the next level wanting to continue their winning ways. They have been a great addition to our team and they have been a joy to coach and be around everyday. They are part of the reason why it is fun to go to the gym everyday. They are a great group of kids along with the upper classmen and you know that they are going to come to practice every day and work hard.
BH: We have been successful because they have been able to adjust and adapt to the collegiate game, school life, and things that they have to deal with being students here. They have done a good job adjusting and it has not affected their game.
Mira Topic and Bethany Howden have been through a lot during their four years at Texas, but they have really persevered and been great leaders for this year's team. How much of a joy has it been to have the opportunity to play a part in the development of these two great players?
TJ: Since I have been here it has been a pleasure to watch Mira and Bethany grow up and take some responsibility and mature. I think they have done a good job leading our team this year both on and off the court. They'll both be sorely missed next year.
BH: They are both forces to be reckoned with and it has really been nice to have that kind of talent in the gym to work with and be around.
Talk about their leadership on the team.
TJ: I think the younger players aspire to be just like them and they want to play at the level that Mira and Bethany play at night in and night out. They have shown them how it is done and hopefully they will follow in their footsteps.
What is an average day like in the life of a University of Texas volleyball coach?
BH: For me it is all about watching a lot of film. I try to help prepare our team and talk to Jerritt about what practice adjustments we need to make and what areas we need to develop. I think it has been a plus having coached against Texas to still have that mindset to notice our weaknesses and develop those parts of our game.
TJ: I do more of the administrative stuff to help take the pressure off of Brian and Jerritt. That way Brian can help prepare our team and Jerritt can worry about the team. I also spend time with recruiting, trying to get the best players possible to come here. I think a lot of people think we just show up everyday at the gym. They don't know the stuff that goes into the everyday life of us being in the office and in staff meetings talking about volleyball and what we can do to make our team better. There is so much more that goes into it than what the average Joe may think.
In preparation for games?
BH: From my end, it involves trying to collect information from anybody we know that has played the opponent and can give us any insight. We watch a lot of film and put together scouting reports and talk as a staff so when we go in the practice gym we can try to somewhat duplicate what the opponent is doing without our team really knowing specifically what we are doing or why we are doing it.
TJ: I handle all the travel stuff and get all of the meals taken care of because they are growing women and they need to eat. I just make sure that side of it is taken care of so once we leave all we have to worry about is getting our team prepared to play.
Brian, you have been on the other side of the coin, coaching against Texas. Talk a little about what that experience is like and how your thoughts of Texas have changed since you joined the Longhorn staff.
BH: I think there is a pride issue and you are always proud of the school that you are at. Texas is a very special place and having the women's athletics department the operates and is administered separate from the men's has really been a wake up call of how things can be done and how they should be done. I think they are doing things the right way. I think the biggest change has been buying into the pride, tradition and the winning attitude.
During the season I have asked a couple of players to describe their perfect day in Austin, Texas. Now I would like the two of you to describe your perfect day in the capital city.
TJ: I haven't had a perfect day in a long time. I look forward to the day when I can spend the whole day at my new house and finish unpacking and not have to worry about leaving home at 7 a.m. and getting home just in time to go to bed. Brian has had a perfect day, though.
BH: What's that?
TJ: The day Ella (Brian and his wife Jaimie's daughter, born Sept. 9) was born!
BH: I know. I was trying to think of the perfect day when you wake up at 4 a.m.. and I get to feed her and hold her and burp her and change her and then I would watch some film. Then I would go grab some breakfast after drinking half a pot of coffee to stay awake and then go to the office and hope everybody isn't mad at me because I'm late. Then get some things done and go to the gym and have fun playing and practicing. Then I would go home to have dinner with my sweet wife and daughter and then take the dog for a walk.
TJ: The perfect day for our team involves not having to go to class, not having to go to practice and sleeping all day.
BH: And then showing up for a match on Wednesday. (Both Laughing)
Fact Attack: Brian Hosfeld
Favorite Place in Austin? My new house.
Volleyball: In the sand / On the court: In the sand because I could play with my wife who played on the beach. In the sand with my wife, in a rematch with (Jerritt) Elliott and his wife, Sarah.
If you're not on the court you're: In the office or changing diapers.
Which reality show would you be on? I would like to help that guy on Extreme Makeover Home Edition. We could build a house for somebody.
You would rather be: Wakeboarding out on the lake.
Dinner for four. Who is there, dead or alive? My wife Jaimie, my daughter Ella, and my dog Studly (a pug).
What did you eat for dinner last night? Homemade fried rice.
What is in your CD player right now? Sublime "What I Got".
Neat / Messy: I'm both neat and messy. My office is messy, but my house is neat.
When you think of The University of Texas, you think? The beginning of a dynasty.
Fact Attack: Tonya Johnson
Favorite Place in Austin? Hyde Park Bar & Grill
Volleyball: In the sand / On the court: On the court. I hate the sand.
If you're not on the court you're: In the office
Which reality show would you be on? American Idol
You would rather be: In South Florida — relaxing.
Dinner for four. Who is there, dead or alive? My grandmother, Boris Cojo, and Martin Luther King.
What did you eat for dinner last night? I had chicken fingers and a salad from Texadelphia.
What is in your CD player right now? A mix of Gospel music.
Neat / Messy: It depends on where I am. My office is messy, my room is messy, but the rest of my house is clean.
When you think of the University of Texas, you think? Champions
