What They're Saying…
Arkansas Head Coach Mike Neighbors
"I wouldn't be here today without Coach Blair giving me an opportunity as a young high school coach with a big dream. I wouldn't be at Arkansas without his years of guidance, mentorship and friendship. He has been so good for our game, and I am glad he is going out the way he is with a lot of style."
Auburn Head Coach Johnnie Harris
"Congratulations, Coach Blair on a well-deserved retirement following a Hall-of-Fame career. Thank you for being both a teacher and a mentor. I am extremely appreciative of all the lessons learned working beside you. The impact you have left on the game is an important part of your legacy. Thank you for growing the sport of women's basketball."
Iowa State Head Coach Bill Fennelly
"Coach Blair is a true legend in every way. Obviously he has won many games and a National Championship, but his greatest victories are the impact he has on our sport and so many young people. We will all miss his stories and the media will miss his press conferences that truly only Coach Blair could provide. I am sure his Aggies and the 12th Man will make this season special in so many ways while he gets his tee times ready. I am honored to call him a friend."
LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey
"That sucker. He gets to go enjoy retirement while the rest of us stress, right? Gary Blair got his start at Louisiana Tech for those of you who don't know. I was a freshman, and he was hired by Sonja Hogg and Leon Barmore out of South Oak Cliff High School. Guess who he brought with him? You ever heard of a guy named Dennis Rodman? Well his older sister taught him everything he knows. Her name was Debra Rodman, and so I got to play with Debra Rodman. Gary was at Louisiana Tech the entire time I was a player, and then he took the Stephen F. Austin job the year after I graduated. That's when there was a change at Louisiana Tech when I got talked into going to help Coach Barmore. I could tell some of the funniest stories about Gary Blair. I guess you could say that I knew him when he was first getting started as an assistant. I coached against him during my time at Baylor, and we had some classic matchups. One of the things that I will always remember about Gary, is the very first NCAA Tournament Baylor ever went to. It was my first year, and we played against his Arkansas team at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Of course, he was better than I was, and he beat us. Then once we both ended up in the Big 12, we had some classic battles. I still am waiting for that thank-you call for the national championship he won in 2011. We played each other four times that year. Two in the regular season, one in the conference tournament, and then for some reason the NCAA thought it would be great for the game to make us play in the elite eight again. It was great for the crowd. It was great for the fans. But he beat me in that game, or his team did, and they went on to win the National Championship. So, Gary… he's just, Gary. He's a good guy. We need more in the business like him. I don't know about staying in it until you're 76 years old. I can't see many people doing that this day and age. But kudos to him for sticking around this long and staying healthy. Go enjoy retirement Coach Blair. I look forward to playing against him this year. They won the league last year, and I imagine they're intent on doing it again."
Former Oklahoma Head Coach Sherri Coale
"Coach Blair has had extraordinary success at every single stop of his storied career. He has been a lifelong champion for female athletes, a coach who believes devoutly in the women's game. Coach Blair poured himself not just into his players and his program, but into his campus and his community as well. He was constantly selling and promoting and engaging with the fans. The sports world will miss the sideline presence of this champion for the women's game."
Texas Head Coach Vic Schaefer
"Thank you coach, for everything. Your impact in our great game is everlasting and far-reaching. You've made a difference in so many people's lives, including mine. You are admired, appreciated and loved."
Arkansas Head Coach Mike Neighbors
"I wouldn't be here today without Coach Blair giving me an opportunity as a young high school coach with a big dream. I wouldn't be at Arkansas without his years of guidance, mentorship and friendship. He has been so good for our game, and I am glad he is going out the way he is with a lot of style."
Auburn Head Coach Johnnie Harris
"Congratulations, Coach Blair on a well-deserved retirement following a Hall-of-Fame career. Thank you for being both a teacher and a mentor. I am extremely appreciative of all the lessons learned working beside you. The impact you have left on the game is an important part of your legacy. Thank you for growing the sport of women's basketball."
Iowa State Head Coach Bill Fennelly
"Coach Blair is a true legend in every way. Obviously he has won many games and a National Championship, but his greatest victories are the impact he has on our sport and so many young people. We will all miss his stories and the media will miss his press conferences that truly only Coach Blair could provide. I am sure his Aggies and the 12th Man will make this season special in so many ways while he gets his tee times ready. I am honored to call him a friend."
LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey
"That sucker. He gets to go enjoy retirement while the rest of us stress, right? Gary Blair got his start at Louisiana Tech for those of you who don't know. I was a freshman, and he was hired by Sonja Hogg and Leon Barmore out of South Oak Cliff High School. Guess who he brought with him? You ever heard of a guy named Dennis Rodman? Well his older sister taught him everything he knows. Her name was Debra Rodman, and so I got to play with Debra Rodman. Gary was at Louisiana Tech the entire time I was a player, and then he took the Stephen F. Austin job the year after I graduated. That's when there was a change at Louisiana Tech when I got talked into going to help Coach Barmore. I could tell some of the funniest stories about Gary Blair. I guess you could say that I knew him when he was first getting started as an assistant. I coached against him during my time at Baylor, and we had some classic matchups. One of the things that I will always remember about Gary, is the very first NCAA Tournament Baylor ever went to. It was my first year, and we played against his Arkansas team at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Of course, he was better than I was, and he beat us. Then once we both ended up in the Big 12, we had some classic battles. I still am waiting for that thank-you call for the national championship he won in 2011. We played each other four times that year. Two in the regular season, one in the conference tournament, and then for some reason the NCAA thought it would be great for the game to make us play in the elite eight again. It was great for the crowd. It was great for the fans. But he beat me in that game, or his team did, and they went on to win the National Championship. So, Gary… he's just, Gary. He's a good guy. We need more in the business like him. I don't know about staying in it until you're 76 years old. I can't see many people doing that this day and age. But kudos to him for sticking around this long and staying healthy. Go enjoy retirement Coach Blair. I look forward to playing against him this year. They won the league last year, and I imagine they're intent on doing it again."
Former Oklahoma Head Coach Sherri Coale
"Coach Blair has had extraordinary success at every single stop of his storied career. He has been a lifelong champion for female athletes, a coach who believes devoutly in the women's game. Coach Blair poured himself not just into his players and his program, but into his campus and his community as well. He was constantly selling and promoting and engaging with the fans. The sports world will miss the sideline presence of this champion for the women's game."
Texas Head Coach Vic Schaefer
"Thank you coach, for everything. Your impact in our great game is everlasting and far-reaching. You've made a difference in so many people's lives, including mine. You are admired, appreciated and loved."