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Post by kiyoat on May 12, 2022 8:05:58 GMT -6
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Post by kiyoat on May 27, 2022 10:55:42 GMT -6
Nice YoteCast interview with new assistant Taylor Ignoto goyotes.com/sports/2019/8/28/yotecast-podcast.aspxA couple of quotes cherry-picked: What was it like to coach at Utah State under Kayla Ard?I played (collegiately) in the Midwest, then coached in the Midwest the next 4 or 5 years. So to get out West was a really good experience... I learned a lot just by having to recruit in a different region. And the level of play was really fun as well. What attracted you to USD?...Kayla is awesome. You get her on the phone for 5 minutes, and she's so energetic, so excited, so passionate. She is in it for all the right reasons.... She wants to help these young women grow on a personal level, on the court, and in their next step in life... that was extremely attractive to me... She's so well-liked in this profession. She talked to me for like 20 minutes, and I was fired up... before she even offered me the job.... ... but also, this program speaks for itself. The success here, they've been so good, year-after-year. Four straight NCAA appearances, and the Sweet 16. So there's just so much buzz and excitement going around this program... Is there pressure to keep it going?... There's definitely a little bit of pressure, but it's fun, right? That's why we're in coaching.... We're gonna keep this thing going. We want that excitement around it. We'll keep bringing in the South Dakota kids, and what we have coming back, and maybe a couple pieces as well from the portal (or wherever), but... it's a challenge that we're embracing. That's what makes coaching fun! |
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Post by kiyoat on Jun 6, 2022 10:20:32 GMT -6
The last YoteCast interview with the WBB staff: Gabby Johnson goyotes.com/sports/2019/8/28/yotecast-podcast.aspxsome quotes: Q: What have you learned about yourself through your coaching experience?GJ: (I've learned about) being very honest with our kids. I tend to demand a lot, and have high expectations... but you can't do that unless the kids can trust you and respect you.... When I first started coaching I was very guarded... (now) I'm an open book for them. Q: You've been at Valpo recently. How would you compare the MVC with the Summit?GJ: (In both conferences) there's always the one or two "top dogs" that run the show, but there's always that "middle pack" that can sneak one on you.... I've watched Summit and USD games before. I think (the two conferences) are very similar. I think you've gotta have a plan, and you have to defend every single night.... USD's gonna have a target on their back, even with the loss of five starters. These kids have been there, they just have less experience on the floor... Q: What made you think (USD) was a good spot for you?
GJ: The winning tradition... These facilities are unreal... I honestly can say (as someone who loves recruiting) that I knew without a doubt that I could sit a kid in Kayla's office, and that kid would be enamored with that energy that she brings in, (talking about) what USD has done in the past. That's huge for me, because assistant (coaches) can only be so good with recruiting, right? It's about the head coach. If a head coach can sell a kid on their vision, that's the most important piece. That was something I was really drawn to. I have no doubt that we can get a kid excited, and that Kayla's gonna finish the job. It's every assistant coach's dream.Q: Women's Basketball in this state gets a lot of attention. Fans come out for it. They're coming off of an incredible season... how exciting or challenging is it to build off of what is currently there?GJ: The opportunity to be an assistant here where you can make an NCAA tournament, but also to see there's an expectation, I think that drives you. And you know that your fans are going to be behind you when that happens, that's a really exciting thing. That's what makes USD special.With the changes with NIL and transfer portal, how do you build a culture that people want to be a part of, but knowing that they will have opportunities to look elsewhere?GJ: I think that starts with the beginning of your process. Kayla and I have had multiple conversations about our visions of recruiting. I just think it's really important to build relationships.... why are we rushing to offer people? Let's build a relationship with them. Especially at USD and some mid-majors, if you can build a relationship with a kid, there's a loyalty that's built in... Let's be the school that takes our time in recruiting... a kid that wants it quick and shiny may not be the best fit for USD... |
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Post by usdguy99 on Jun 6, 2022 12:38:08 GMT -6
Are we ever going to get any transparency in relation to Kayla's contract or Pete's in that same vein?
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