Progression

[Seattle4UT]

Coach G's third season is off to a 5-3 start. ESPN has called this year's Longhorns the strongest in Coach G's helm at Texas. Usually, it takes 3-4 years before one can really surmise whether a coach was the right hire or not.

I did a little research to find out how Coach Jerritt Elliott of the Women's Volleyball team progression at Texas:

2001: 17-14 (9-11 conf) 6th, NCAA 2nd round
2002: 23-09 (13-4 conf) 4th, NCAA 2nd round
2003: 15-14 (10-10 conf) 7th, no tourney appearance
2004: 26-05 (16-4 conf) 2nd, NCAA Region Semi
2005: 24-05 (17-3 conf) 2nd, NCAA 2nd round
2006: 24-07 (16-4 conf) 3rd, NCAA Region Final
2007: 27-04 (19-1 conf) 1st, NCAA Region Final
2008: 29-04 (18-2 conf) 1st, NCAA Final Four
2009: 28-01 (19-1 conf) 1st, NCAA Final Four*

* - season not over yet.

It wasn't until Coach Elliott's 4th season where things started to fall for Texas.

While I've been hopeful for a quick start for Coach G's helm at Texas, I can't be too critical until Coach G has had a chance to recruit a full 4 years of players that fit with her system.

It's still frustrating to see Texas A&M and Baylor in the upper echelon of Women's BB in the State of Texas.

I know, baby steps. It would be a nice change to see Texas make a serious challenge in this year's conference play. Blowouts by UConn and Tennessee did a lot of harm IMHO in my confidence for this year's team.

Fight on Lady Longhorns!!!

 

[BabHorn]

and when you talk about four years of recruiting her players, don't forget that will not be until she starts her fifth year since the recruits from her first year were already signed by Coach Conradt. Actually, only Kat is left from that recruiting class. Coach G is getting there, just not overnight like some expected or hoped for.

 

[Rexy]

I would also add that although Yvonne, Ashley, and Ashleigh were Coach G's first class to sign - since early signing is in November and she just got here that summer, she did not necessarily recruit them in the traditional sense because recruiting starts years before signing. I'm not saying they were not "her" recruits - but it is different when you are located in a program and recruit from that program for years. It will take time for her to establish her recruiting base in Texas and get those relationships with the HS coaches firmly established. You know, this is the "good old girl" state. You don't automatically get to be a "good old girl" you have to develop, nurture and cultivate those relationships. The recruits will come, it'll just take a little time. Pat Summitt calls Micki DeMoss the best recruiter she ever had. That has to be a plus for us - again, down the road.