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Do you ever pick up the phone and use past coaches as a reference also?
Always, always. That’s how you build knowledge. I’m the type of the person who feels you can always learn and there are a lot of great coaches that I’ve played for so I don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and ask questions and learn more about the game of basketball. I’ve called quite a few.
How has your transition from playing to coaching gone for you? Has it been what you expected?
It has been what I expected. It’s kind of funny because now I look back and now that I am coaching it makes me appreciate every coach that I’ve ever had. It appears to be easy, but there is a lot of work, a lot of preparation. You realize coaching is not a 9-5 job, it seems like the day never ends with dealing with practice, recruiting, community service, game preparation, film preparation, making sure your athletes are contributing in the classroom and are on task - it’s a lot of responsibility.
How has coaching helped you ease your transition out of playing?
Obviously, you never want your career to end. I think, had my knee not limited me, I would still be playing. I feel like I could still go, but when doctors look at your knee and say it doesn’t look so good on x-rays and stuff like that, then you stop. But just me being able to be a part of the game again and giving the young ladies everything that’s been taught to me, I think that’s rewarding as well. So if I can’t play I’d love to be able to give back to the game has given to me over the years.
I think I have been very fortunate; I have been very blessed with the opportunities I’ve had. I’ve played basketball on every level, so for me that’s been a blessing. Walking away from the game there were no second thoughts or no bitter emotions because I’ve been able to experience basketball at every level. I don’t second-guess it because I know I gave 100% every time I stepped out on the floor and I knew that if there came a time when I couldn’t give 100% then it would be time for me to move on.
Is there something about playing that you don’t miss?
The wear and tear on the body, that’s about the only thing. But I still get out there. The great thing for me is I can get out there with my players and I can compete with them.
Being part of the very first Storm squad, was there a sense that you were part of something special?
I think that it’s definitely special because you are a part of making history with the first WNBA franchise in Seattle and of course it’s going to hit closer to home for me because this was where I played college ball and to have the opportunity to still be around the fans who had supported me my whole career at Washington - the same people who were season ticket holders for the Storm - that was definitely a special feeling.
You played overseas for a few years. How did playing abroad differ from playing in the WNBA?
I played in Greece and Israel, and I think when you play overseas you’re definitely called on to be a leader. You’re brought over there to score lots of points for your team and that’s the different aspect of it there as opposed to the WNBA where you’re part of a cast. Over there you’re pretty much the team and the expectations are even greater because the weight of winning and losing falls on your shoulders because you are the American.
How did your time with the Storm help you to prepare to join the coaching ranks?
The discipline and the hard work that you had to put in helped; it was pretty much the first time in my life where the roles for basketball had changed for me, going from always being a starter to going to the Storm and actually having to learn a lot about the game that I didn’t understand. My greatest knowledge and learning about the game of basketball came from Lin Dunn, breaking down the game and helping me understand the game of basketball. And I’m still in contact with Michelle Edwards, Semeka Randall and have conversations with them. What you can say about a Storm team, even with Coach (Anne) Donovan, you get after it and you work hard and I think that carries over into an individual’s attitude when they become a coach as well.
Is it helpful for you to be able to call up past teammates who are now coaches themselves?
I call them all the time; I talk to Kate Paye and them to try to get some ideas. You keep that network for life, because we all have played against each other at some point or met in high school or went to camps with one another. So once you meet people in the basketball arena, it becomes a lifetime friendship. It’s a close network and you will remember the days when you were out there sweating, running suicides and working hard.
Are there coaches in your past that influence how you approach coaching now?
I think I can take something from a lot of coaches that I’ve had the privilege of playing for. I take things from Chris Gobrecht, I take things from Lin Dunn, and from Coach (June) Daugherty. I can call any of those individuals and obtain the information I need. Along life you take little bits of pieces, like if you play for Chris Gobrecht, outside of basketball she teaches you life lessons about how to be a strong woman. From Lin Dunn you take her understanding, knowledge and enthusiasm. So you can take different things from each coach in your life. I’m only a phone call away from anybody and I don’t hesitate. I’m like a sponge and I want to learn so I try to gain as much knowledge as possible. Now we have Tia Jackson as the coach for the University of Washington, I can even call her up.
What are your long-term goals for you coaching career?
Right now my goal is to learn as much as possible about the game and hopefully an opportunity to come someday to be a head coach, but for me that’s so far in the future, so my goal right now is to learn as much as possible. I have an opportunity to work with Kelly Warnke here at PLU and it’s been a great experience for me.
What’s a favorite memory of yours from your time with the Storm?
Haha, you have to understand there are so many. I’ll have to do is say “Lin Dunn” and that right there will spark a whole lot of memories. I used to call her “a riot” because there is never a dull moment with her. You can’t just pinpoint one thing - with Lin Dunn around there’s always going to be a funny moment, and that’s the best way to sum it up.
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