Blair Holds Press Conference Following Announcement of Final Season
Oct 28, 2021 | Women's Basketball
Watch, listen to or read quotes below from Gary Blair's press conference following the announcement that 2021-22 will be the final season of his hall of fame career.
In addition, you can see what Jordan Nixon, Destiny Pitts and select coaches from across the country had to say.
You can also hit the RSS/Subscribe button on the audio file below to subscribe for free to our Studio 12 Texas A&M Athletics podcast and have the audio automatically download to your mobile device.
Gary Blair Press Conference
“The best thing ever is for a coach to have laryngitis, and I’ve got it. I’ll make some statements and I’ll ramble sometimes. You’re probably wondering about the timing. Is it right for me to retire right now? I’ve been thinking about it for the last couple of years that I’ve had to answer these questions. It’s right for my basketball program right now, that’s the most important thing. It is right for the university. It is right for my recruits, and it is right for my current players and our staff. We spent two hours on the phone last night with our recruits, who you all do not know about yet. All of them are still committed to us, but you know what happens in recruiting. The little snakes in the grass start working behind the scenes. With that being said, we’ll hold on to these, and we are not finished recruiting. My staff has done a tremendous job with this class. This is the best class, if we finish things up right, that we will have had since Kayla Wells and that crew came in.
"I’ll tell you, timing, and going through everything, the person who helped me the most is the most popular coach at Texas A&M. You’ll say, ‘Who’s that? Is it Buzz (Williams), Jimbo (Fisher), Jo (Evans)?’ No. It’s R.C. Slocum. I sat down two days ago on his front porch and listened to his problems, and everything that he has done. I could sit there and feel at ease with the decision after I talked with R.C. When he got fired, he could have gone to LSU, Baylor, Houston or a lot of other places. But he said that ‘This is home. It feels right.’ I sat there and just listened to him on how he could express himself with everything that he is going through. The things he’s going through are unbelievable, with cancer and everything else, he still has three more treatments. He is still the most positive man and the most popular coach in this town. I want to be like R.C. It’s simple. I want to be able to handle everything and still be a part of this community.
I’ve always done one thing. I’ve always been able to hire people that were better than me in certain areas. This will be my third staff that I have right now. My third staff, with a couple of individuals in between, and every one of them have been great. The tree keeps growing, and it keeps growing because of the brand. It is so easy to sell Texas A&M. I wanted to make sure that the message is going to be mine, and that the narrative is going to be mine. It’s centered around doing what is best for this basketball program and this university going forward.
One of my former players stopped by, she’s on her way back to Oklahoma. Aaliyah Wilson has been rehabbing down here, and I just told her how much she has meant to our program, and how much she has meant to me personally. It’s amazing to see how much she has grown. Now, here she is, going overseas to play even though she got injured in the next-to-last game in the WNBA season. I already had a call from Ciera Johnson, and another one from Khaalia Hillsman. They’re all overseas playing, and it’s probably about 4 a.m. where they are right now. That’s how much they keep up with this program. The former players, the current players and some of the players we have coming in the future – the family of coaches that I’ve had, their support staff, the families that I have had the privilege of sitting in their living rooms and recruiting their daughters to come here, even the ones that I’ve lost in recruiting – they’re all still a part of the Aggie family. If I lost you, I don’t ever forget about you, and in today’s world, some of them end up coming back.
This program was built by going door to door in Park Meadows, where I used to live. I had a TV camera follow me around and watch me trying to give out free tickets to explain our program. I used to stand out in front of the Exxon gas station on Highway 6 at University Drive. I would go out to the schools in College Station and give out tickets, asking people to try us out. That’s how you build things. For all of the other coaches and administrators in the room, get out of your damn cubicle, and meet the people of this great city. Get out of your cubicles and let them know who you are, and what you’re bringing to the table. That’s what makes this place so special. It’s all about the relationships that we make along the way.
I’ve got a bucket list, which none of you care about, but you’re going to hear it anyway. Twelve things. I shot my age at Pacific Grove this summer in Carmel. That’s called the poor man’s Pebble Beach. That is going to be my goal going forward. I want to shoot my age all the way until I am about 109. I want to travel with my wife Kyla (Blair), and we have so many places that we want to go see. We have four kids between us and nine grandkids: Logan, Lola, Landry, Reagan, Ryan, Maddie, Jackson, Luke, Kate and we have room for a tenth. Particularly if my son has a boy. He has a girl now, but I want that name to keep going. He’s my last chance there.
I want to take this team – this team – not last year’s team or the 2011 squad, I want to take this team as far as we can take it. It’s going to be a “we.” It’ll involve everyone going out there and preaching the word. The brand of Texas A&M is at an all-time high. Sometimes it’s not about all of the wins and losses on the scoreboard. It’s about all of the relationships and the process behind making this thing work. This program and this university is in great hands.
I want to serve my school: Texas A&M. I want to serve my rotary club: the Bryan Rotary Club. I want to serve the Bryan-College Station community. I want to serve my charities: the special Olympics and special needs kids. I want to honor my former schools: Dallas South Oak Cliff High School, Louisiana Tech, Stephen F. Austin, Arkansas and Texas A&M. Each program has made me a better coach and a better person. I want to show respect to all of my mentors and family members that helped me along the way. They have meant so much.
My pet peeve in life is that adults never admit to mistakes. We have 18 to 22 year-olds that we coach who say ‘My bad.’ We need to say that more often as adults instead of justifying our actions. I want you to think about how you can live your life going forward to be a part of change, be a part in making this place even better than it is. Number 11 on the list: if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. We have a top-ten staff here teaching, coaching and recruiting at a high level. Kelly Bond-White has been with me for 21 years, Greg Brown is back there, Vernette Skeete, Christina Richardson – our new director of operations, Sydney Carter and Claudia Walker, who is the director of me. She runs all of our personality, and she’s been through it all. I have so many new members of this staff, but they all came to A&M because they believe in the family tree. They believe. A&M is a destination school. This is my destination, and I will always be in the stands following every single one of you.
I’ve got a challenge coin for almost everyone in this room, but I didn’t expect so many of you to be here. This should be my 50th year coaching, and my last year. In my first year, I coached the golf team. In the 49 years since I’ve been coaching basketball, volleyball, cross-country and track & field. On that coin, I honor all of the people that have helped me along the way. You’ve heard me say this before, so for all y’all who are into rap, I’m into a little bit of country. There are some lyrics that stuck out to me, ‘When you’re old and gray and look back on your life, what will you be able to say? I did it the right way.’ I did it the Aggie way. That’s what all of us should be able to say.
We’re going to be playing in front of real fans, not cardboard cutouts. I told my administration, I don’t care if we won the National Championship, I was not going out on a COVID year. When I can see 106,000 out there at a football game or 7,000 at a volleyball game or all those fans at Aggie soccer matches. I want people to stand up, and I don’t want them to come out to honor me. I want them to come out and be a part of the 12th Man and make a difference. That’s our role. We aren’t always going to be favored, but we will always find a way.
The first game is next Wednesday’s exhibition against my golf partner, who I bring in from Oklahoma Baptist. I bring him in for the member gifts at the golf course because he’s a lot better than me, but I will be a lot better than him on the court. That game is free, and you better get there early because all of the seats are going to be open for everybody.
I want to think Bill Byrne, John Thornton, Penny King, Jeff Schmahl and the members of that first administration that hired me. I want to think them for bringing me back to this place. This will always be my home. I wanted to be sure that I knew when to go, not be pushed out or told to go. I wanted to be able to go out on top. That’s where this program is. It’s been good. I want to thank Ross Bjork and Kristen Brown and all of the other administrators for helping me get through this. They helped me do what’s best for my former players, this present team and the groups we have coming up. They have been very patient with me because, like all ex-players or ex-coaches, we always think we’ve got one more in us. Well, I get the opportunity to have about 35 to 38 games still left this year. That’ll be enough. It’s time. It’s time to go do the other things in life, and sit up in the stands doing the same thing that all of you do: second-guess the coaches. That’s what you’re supposed to do.”
On how to handle the distractions fueled by his impending retirement…
“They’re not going to honor me after we beat their butt on the court. I don’t need a rocking chair or plaque or anything like that. I just need an arena with 94 feet to be able to compete. That’s all a coach in any sport wants. We just want to compete. Is it going to be a distraction? Probably. But I’ve handled the media all my life, and my God, I’ve given you candy. I’m fixing to give you a challenge coin, and what are y’all fixing to give me? Just give this program credit. Sixteen-straight NCAA tournaments, 16-straight 20-win seasons. That should be enough.”
On why this is the right time to retire…
“To tell you the truth, it’s because I’m tired of answering questions about when I’m going to retire. I’ve been getting that question for five years straight. My opponents have been using it against me in recruiting, and I’m tired of answering it. They need to be selling their program instead of worrying about ours. Sometimes I want to be able to do things with my wife and my grandkids. I’ve missed too many ball games. Too many cheerleading events. My grandson was here two weeks ago during the Alabama game for his college visit, and he ended up on the field with all those people. I was smart. I stayed up in the stands with a recruit. That’s why its time. It’s time because somebody who might be better than me could get the job done better. You don’t ever say that, but sometimes you have to admit that someone is better than you, especially in the changing world that we are living in today.”
On Texas A&M’s standing among other collegiate programs…
“This school is more than just a football school. It can win in everything. That’s what we’re trying to do, whether it’s swimming, equestrian or whatever, we win. We are a destination school. That’s what we have to sell for all of the people that come to work for us, whether they come from the east coast or the west coast or wherever.”
On the team’s reaction to his retirement…
“I had a little bit of a voice at 5:15 yesterday afternoon, but it gradually started disappearing. I think that my older kids like Jordan (Nixon), Destiny (Pitts) and Kayla (Wells), they understood. They’ve been around the block. They understand what we have built and what we will continue to build. The program is bigger than Gary Blair. The program and the school is bigger than the individual. When you put on your jersey, the front says Texas A&M. It doesn’t say Gary Blair.”
What They're Saying…
Arkansas Head Coach Mike Neighbors
“I wouldn’t be here today without Coach Blair giving me an opportunity as a young high school coach with a big dream. I wouldn’t be at Arkansas without his years of guidance, mentorship and friendship. He has been so good for our game, and I am glad he is going out the way he is – with a lot of style.”
Auburn Head Coach Johnnie Harris
“Congratulations, Coach Blair on a well-deserved retirement following a Hall-of-Fame career. Thank you for being both a teacher and a mentor. I am extremely appreciative of all the lessons learned working beside you. The impact you have left on the game is an important part of your legacy. Thank you for growing the sport of women’s basketball.”
Iowa State Head Coach Bill Fennelly
“Coach Blair is a true legend in every way. Obviously he has won many games and a National Championship, but his greatest victories are the impact he has on our sport and so many young people. We will all miss his stories and the media will miss his press conferences that truly only Coach Blair could provide. I am sure his Aggies and the 12th Man will make this season special in so many ways while he gets his tee times ready. I am honored to call him a friend.”
LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey
“That sucker. He gets to go enjoy retirement while the rest of us stress, right? Gary Blair got his start at Louisiana Tech for those of you who don’t know. I was a freshman, and he was hired by Sonja Hogg and Leon Barmore out of South Oak Cliff High School. Guess who he brought with him? You ever heard of a guy named Dennis Rodman? Well his older sister taught him everything he knows. Her name was Debra Rodman, and so I got to play with Debra Rodman. Gary was at Louisiana Tech the entire time I was a player, and then he took the Stephen F. Austin job the year after I graduated. That’s when there was a change at Louisiana Tech when I got talked into going to help Coach Barmore. I could tell some of the funniest stories about Gary Blair. I guess you could say that I knew him when he was first getting started as an assistant. I coached against him during my time at Baylor, and we had some classic matchups. One of the things that I will always remember about Gary, is the very first NCAA Tournament Baylor ever went to. It was my first year, and we played against his Arkansas team at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Of course, he was better than I was, and he beat us. Then once we both ended up in the Big 12, we had some classic battles. I still am waiting for that thank-you call for the national championship he won in 2011. We played each other four times that year. Two in the regular season, one in the conference tournament, and then for some reason the NCAA thought it would be great for the game to make us play in the elite eight again. It was great for the crowd. It was great for the fans. But he beat me in that game, or his team did, and they went on to win the National Championship. So, Gary… he’s just, Gary. He's a good guy. We need more in the business like him. I don’t know about staying in it until you’re 76 years old. I can’t see many people doing that this day and age. But kudos to him for sticking around this long and staying healthy. Go enjoy retirement Coach Blair. I look forward to playing against him this year. They won the league last year, and I imagine they’re intent on doing it again.”
Former Oklahoma Head Coach Sherri Coale
“Coach Blair has had extraordinary success at every single stop of his storied career. He has been a lifelong champion for female athletes, a coach who believes devoutly in the women’s game. Coach Blair poured himself not just into his players and his program, but into his campus and his community as well. He was constantly selling and promoting and engaging with the fans. The sports world will miss the sideline presence of this champion for the women’s game.”
Texas Head Coach Vic Schaefer
“Thank you coach, for everything. Your impact in our great game is everlasting and far-reaching. You’ve made a difference in so many people’s lives, including mine. You are admired, appreciated and loved.”
Press Conference Quotes: Jordan Nixon
On her reaction to Coach Blair’s retirement…
“Well, I didn’t know what we were going to talk about when he pulled the captains into his office. I thought it was just going to be something about team play and how we were going to do in the coming games and scrimmages. It was shocking. I think one of you asked about how the team took it. I think we shared the reaction of just like, why? Why now? Where is this coming from? But again, I mean, Coach Blair touched on it, we understand. The numbers speak for themselves. He’s done tremendous things in the game of basketball, beyond the impact that he’s had on the countless number of people he’s coached. You can’t hope for anything more. So he should end it on his terms. He shouldn’t be forced out, not that that would happen. We support him, and we’re happy for him that he’s making this decision.”
On if Coach Blair’s retirement will add any pressure to the season…
“I think pressure comes with a lot of negative connotations, whereas we want to play for him just as much as we want to play for each other, for Texas A&M University, for former players and for the people who are a part of this organization. There is definitely not any pressure. I think it’s a good thing. It’s fuel. Let’s do this for Coach Blair. Let’s make this the best season yet. That’s always the goal, right? Be better than you were the year before. This is a lot of excitement, and you know, one day at a time we are going to savor these moments.”
On what she will miss most about Coach Blair…
“Coach Blair is just a funny guy when it comes to some of the things he says. I say that because sometimes, I just look and think, ‘What did you just say?’ Those moments, I call them Blair-isms, at least that’s the term we’ve come up with for those. I’ll probably just miss his humor and his spirit.”
On what brought her to Texas A&M…
“I’m from New York City, and I spent my freshman year in South Bend, Indiana, at the University of Notre Dame. Now I’m in College Station, Texas in Aggieland. I mean, it’s a journey, right? I don’t know how I ended up here, but I do know that I’ve fallen in love with Aggieland. Stepping on this campus, walking into Reed Arena and feeling accepted and loved. It’s just a feeling that you get. It’s so hard for me to describe two and a half years later. I’m so happy that I made the decision to be here. Yes, Gary Blair did play a huge, huge part in that, but I don’t know. It’s just something about it. Something about being here.”
Press Conference Quotes: Destiny Pitts
On the experience of playing for Gary Blair…
“For me, it’s been inspiring in a sense. And when I had decided to transfer from the University of Minnesota, I was looking for a place that had a family atmosphere. So, when I came to A&M on a visit, I had fortunately come before COVID hit, so I was able to see the impact that he had on the community and his players. I think the most special thing for me when I came to visit was the number of players that had come back. That doesn’t happen everywhere. So, you see how many people are willing to come back and invest in him and the team, that just means a lot. He’s been almost like a grandfather to me. He has a lot of wisdom.”
