Texas Tech named Krista Gerlich as the eighth head coach of the Lady Raider basketball program. Gerlich returns to Lubbock after guiding the UT-Arlington Lady Mavs to three 20-win seasons and taking them from a 4-win team to numerous post-season appearances.

Gerlich was part of Texas Tech’s National Championship team in 1993 and had her number 21 retired after a career where she ranks 3rd in career assists, 3rd in three-point field goals, 4th in three-point percentage and 13th in scoring.

“I can’t put into words how excited I am to be entrusted with rebuilding the Lady Raider basketball program, which is near and dear to my heart,” Gerlich said. “I can’t wait to get to work on taking this program back to where it’s supposed to be, where it has been and where everyone in the Texas Tech community expects it to be. I’m looking forward to meeting the current Lady Raiders, embracing them and their journey, and helping them write a better ending to their careers at Texas Tech, because they deserve it.

“I believe that Texas Tech is a pot of gold for every sport, and that’s illustrated by how well each program succeeds on a national level year in and year out. There is no reason that Lady Raider basketball can’t do that too, because we’ve already seen it done. We know we have the support, and I am looking forward to bringing that positive excitement and authentic love for the program back to my alma mater.”

Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt said that he is excited to introduce Gerlich, and Texas Tech will hold a press conference tomorrow.

“I am excited to announce Krista Gerlich as our next Lady Raider basketball coach,” Hocutt said. “Coach Gerlich has been outstanding as a head coach at both UT-Arlington and West Texas A&M, and her track record as a student-athlete at Texas Tech speaks for itself. I believe that she is the right person to lead our women’s basketball team and I am excited to see what she and the Lady Raiders accomplish in the seasons ahead.”

Oddly, as part of the official press release is mention of a public intoxication from 2015. I don’t know that this was relevant in an introductory press conference. This almost felt as if the athletic department was letting us know that they turned over every stone and this was the only impropriety on Gerlich’s record. I am sure I have been publicly intoxicated so I certainly will not throw any stones.

Gerlich follows Marlene Stollings, who was fired after numerous allegations of abuse surfaced that led to Stollings’ termination.

First on Stollings list of things to do is recruit the players currently here and sell herself as an individual and program builder.

I hope Gerlich has a tremendous amount of success and she can take the Lady Raider program back to it’s rightful place in the NCAA Tournament.