Interview w/ Texas A&M's Head Coach Gary Blair

September 11, 2018

Listen to The Houston Roundball Review's interview with Texas A&M Head Coach Gary Blair. Coach Blair discusses his 2018-'19 squad which has 9 sophomores including Chennedy Carter. Last season, Carter was the National Freshman of the Year. Coach Blair also mentions the Aggies' schedule for '18-'19; and, he describes how he got into coaching plus how long he plans to continue coaching.

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00:26 -- Rather than the term icon, Coach Blair prefers I-Can / the 2018-'19 team

"I can coach this game. I can give back to this game; and, I can recruit this game."

"We've got a strong class of 9 sophomores, 2 juniors, and 2 seniors."

"We lost a lot of points; and a lot of rebounds; and a lot of leadership. But, this is what A&M is built on whether you're a student-athlete or not. A&M is built on leadership."

"So, don't tell me what we've lost. I'm going to tell you what we have; and, what we have is a group that really bonded together this summer."

04:25 -- Coach Blair's expectations for Chennedy Carter in her sophomore season

07:20 -- Practice sessions in the summer

09:10 -- Non-conference schedule

10:45 -- Conference schedule

11:37 -- Rice Owls and Houston Cougars

13:23 -- Keeping up with the other women's basketball teams in Texas

"It's not good for the game. I promise you. But, at the same time, we have to adjust to today's generation."

"We sign a kid for four years; and, hopefully, it will turn into a 40 year degree from Texas A&M."

"There's no such thing as being successful all the time when you're 18 years old. You've got to experience a little bit of failure; then, pick yourself up and go forward."

16:59 -- How he got bitten by the coaching bug

"I'll tell you all about failure. And success. And picking your way up. And not having a lot of money. And teaching for seven thousand dollars my first year."

20:05 -- My best job was my first job -- Dallas South Oak Cliff High School

"I felt needed. They needed me; and, I needed them."

21:35 -- Coach Blair dancing: "junk in the trunk"

"But, I promise you. I will never, never do that one minute thing again. I'll do some others with the kids; but, I will not do that one because that went viral. That was worse than my Dougie. My Dougie was better than that."

23:38 -- Tradition of tossing out candy before the games

"I copied it from Van Chancellor."

25:50 -- How much longer he plans to coach

"I'm going to go as long as you go; and, you're a lot younger than I am. What am I gonna do when I retire?"

27:38 -- The WNBA Finals

"I'd love for my friend Dan Hughes to beat my other friend Mike Thibault."

"Back when the Comets were winning, it (the W) was good back then; but, I guarantee you it's twice as good (now) as it was back then."

"What their salary they're getting in the WNBA is like Uber-money for the NBA guys."

29:45 -- The top college teams in '18-'19

"I really like, in the SEC, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Georgia, ourselves, and Missouri. I will say those teams had the most coming back; and, none of their coaches graduated either."

32:26 -- Conclusion

"Let's get the (Women's) Final Four there. Let's get the Crickets' fields going. Let's enjoy all the schools that's around Houston; and, let's just have a good year."

"Remember, I'll retire when you retire; and, you're a whole lot younger."

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