Goestenkors introduced as Women's Basketball head coach
AUSTIN, Texas -- Gail Goestenkors, who led the Duke University women's basketball program to four NCAA Final Four showings since 1999, has been named women's basketball head coach at The University of Texas. The announcement was made Thursday by UT Women's Athletics Director Christine Plonsky. Goestenkors was formally introduced as the third coach in Texas women's basketball's history during a highly-anticipated press conference held on the UT campus. The press conference attracted a throng of media, UT Athletics and UT community well-wishers and fans to the 95-minute session held in the Carpenter-Winkel Centennial Room in Bellmont Hall. Goestenkors replaces legendary Hall of Fame coach Jody Conradt, who retired on March 12 after 38 illustrious years as collegiate head coach, the final 31 as Texas Basketball mentor. Conradt ranks No. 2 in all-time men's or women's basketball coaching victories, having registered a 900-307 overall record. Goestenkors, 44, comes to UT after a distinguished 15 years as Duke's women's basketball head coach. She directed the Blue Devils program from 1992-93 through the 2006-07 season. "The University of Texas is a special institution and we believe it attracts people with good hearts and great minds," noted Plonsky. "Gail Goestenkors' legacy continues to build. She coaches champions. More important, Gail is devoted to young people and is committed to their growth and development as individuals. Gail possesses skill, integrity and class. She is a leader in the profession, and her qualities perfectly align with our vision and goals for the future of Texas women's basketball." This year, Goestenkors coached Duke to a 32-2 record and to the program's 13th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance. The Blue Devils, which went a perfect 14-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, were 2007 NCAA Sweet 16 participants. In her Duke tenure, Goestenkors led Duke to an unprecedented seven consecutive 30-win seasons from 2000-01 to 2006-07. That broke the NCAA record of six consecutive 30-win seasons which Duke held with Louisiana Tech. Her all-time coaching record after 15 seasons stands at 396-99, for a winning percentage of 80 percent. "I am extremely excited to be coming to The University of Texas and to be part of the excellence that The University is noted for," stated Goestenkors. "This is an incredible new challenge for me and signals a new life chapter. I have great appreciation for the legacy that Jody Conradt has created in the sport of women's basketball, and feel honored to inherit the program she has built here at UT. To follow such an icon in women's athletics is an honor. There is a wonderful tradition of excellence in academics and athletics at The University of Texas. I look forward to becoming a member of this great Longhorn athletic family and welcome this tremendous opportunity to make Texas women's basketball a national-championship contender, year in and year out." Following the press conference, Goestenkors was scheduled to fly to Atlanta to receive the 2006-07 Naismith Award as National Coach of the Year Thursday evening. The Naismith Award is the fifth National Coach of the Year honor for Goestenkors this year. She also was recipient of the Associated Press, U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), Russell Athletics/Women's Basketball Coaches Association and ESPN.com national coaching honors. Goestenkors also currently serves an an assistant coach for the USA Basketball Senior National Team. Under Goestenkors' direction, Duke advanced to four NCAA Final Four berths in the last nine seasons, with two NCAA National Championship Game appearances (1999, 2006). In total, her Duke squads also made eight NCAA "Elite Eight" showings (1998, '99, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06) and 10 NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances (1998, '99, 2000-07) during their streak of 13 consecutive national championship berths. Additionally, Duke has dominated ACC play during Goestenkors tenure, earning eight ACC regular season championships and five ACC Championship Tournament titles (ACC records, chart to right). A noted recruiter, Goestenkors had national top-five recruiting classes from 1999-2005. As Texas women's basketball's third head coach, Goestenkors follows Conradt, head coach from 1976-77 through this season. Rod Page served as head coach in UT's first two varsity intercollegiate seasons (1974-75 and 1975-76). To get on the women's basketball season ticket mailing list to receive material as soon as the 2007-08 schedule is finalized, please contact UT Athletics Events, Sales and Services at 512-232-3865 or email UTHoopsCentral@athletics.utexas.edu.
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