Whether by accident or with intent, almost all of UNM head women’s basketball coach Yvonne Sanchez’s assistant coaches have some connection to the Mountain West Conference or The Pit.
More than 500 fans gathered Thursday in the Club Level of The Pit to witness Sanchez formally introduce her coaching lineup and listen to them recount their philosophies and memories of the league and The Pit.
Assistant coach Anthony Turner served as a defensive coordinator for 12 years and coached at MWC schools, including UNLV and San Diego State, and he just left Boise State. He said his familiarity with the conference could help UNM succeed.
“I really feel like all of that has been a prelude,” he said.
“All of the experiences that I’ve had have been preparation for this tremendous opportunity.”
Assistant Vicki Hall, who played professional basketball for 17 years, said the The Pit’s atmosphere reminds her of her college days at Texas.
“We were No. 1 in the country in fan support,” she said. “And I haven’t seen something like this, right here today, since then.”
For Erin Grant, her experience at The Pit wasn’t so long ago.
She was a part of the 2003 Texas Tech team that had eliminated the Lobos in the Sweet 16 at The Pit. Before coming to UNM, Grant was an assistant coach at UT Arlington and will be instrumental in getting Texas recruits to come the University. The Lobos start the 2011-12 season in Texas against Grant’s alma mater.
“It was great to play in front of all of you guys, and I loved the support,” Grant said. “But this time, it will be you guys backing our program and our team.”
Sanchez said she and her coaching staff are dedicated to helping the Lobos reclaim their place atop the Mountain West Conference.
“I’m going to dare to dream big,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of my friends coach at the Final Four, and our staff would like to be there, not observing, but coaching in it.”
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
