The San Antonio Stars’ new head coach, Vickie Johnson, is no stranger to the franchise. Johnson played for San Antonio from 2006-09 after signing as a free agent as the first piece of their eventual 2008 Western Conference title team. She played under the guidance of head coach Dan Hughes, joined Hughes’ staff as an assistant in 2011, and now succeeds Hughes following his retirement.

“Dan has done so much for my career. In 2006, when I decided to come to San Antonio as a player, he promised me that he would give me my first coaching job and he did,” Johnson told WNBA.com. “Dan is a great man, a great coach, and one amazing thing that I will take from him is being a good person, being an honest person.”

Johnson began her decorated WNBA career with the Liberty, with whom she spent nine years. A two-time WNBA All-Star, Johnson was the first player in WNBA history to record 4,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in a career. At the time of her retirement, Johnson was the WNBA career leader in games played with 410. She still ranks 25th all-time in career points (4,243) and 14th in assists (1,205). She’s played in five WNBA Finals, including the 2008 Finals with the Stars.

Johnson has plenty of playing experience, but her last six years with the team as an assistant have better prepared her for her new role as head coach. She knows the system and has built relationships with current players, including Kayla McBride and Moriah Jefferson, the young backcourt duo who Johnson believes will be leaders of her team.

“Watching the growth is so fulfilling, teaching these players how to raise their game to a whole other level,” she said. “They haven’t even tapped into the talent that I have seen in them in the last six years as their assistant coach.”

She has also built a relationship with Ruth Riley, who assumed the franchise’s general manager position at the start of 2016. The two played against each other in the league while Johnson played for New York and Riley played for Detroit. Eventually, they played together in San Antonio before Johnson had to opportunity to coach Riley as a Stars assistant.

“It’s a great thing to have her now as my GM — a player that understands the game, has played the game, loves the game, that’s committed to women’s basketball and committed to the W and helping these young ladies to not only play the game, but also be their best at the game,” Johnson said. “She brings so much more than just knowing the rules of being a GM or the WNBA. She understands what it takes to win championships. She won a couple in Detroit, so she understands. It’s just a great thing for me to be able to work with her. We have the same vision, we have the same goal, and that’s to bring out the best in these young players and teach them and grow with them. We want to win a championship together and to build something special in San Antonio, just like our men’s team.”

Johnson’s vision for the team is clear.

“My goal is going to be the same as when I signed in 2006 — my goal is still to win a championship, as a head coach now. I won’t settle for anything less than that. I’ll do whatever it takes to get that done.”