Former Lady Raider Krista Gerlich was introduced in a press conference that featured remarks from Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec and an introduction from Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt. Gerlich then had a lengthy statement that focused on the relationships she's built with players while coaching and the relationships she wants to build at Texas Tech.

"I've waited a long time to be here and do this." Gerlich opened. "This is the greatest day of my professional career because I've finally been chosen to lead this program."

"I'm proof that good things can happen in the year 2020." Gerlich continued as she talked about how strange the situation was to finally get her dream job during a pandemic being forced to do the press conference via zoom.

"I'm in the business of empowering women," Gerlich said directly to her team who were in attendance at the press conference. She then stressed the importance of confidence that the players need to have in themselves, the team, and her. Gerlich didn't only address the team. She also thanked Hocutt for standing in the fire and making the hire at the "right time."

If you know about Krista Gerlich, you know this isn't her first time at Texas Tech. She has had separate stints as a Lady Raider player and an assistant coach. You might remember her as a player with Kirkland on the back of her jersey. You'll recognize her jersey in the rafters of the United Supermarkets Arena as one of the few retired numbers in Lady Raider history.

A number of other current coaches have been in contact with Gerlich including Tom Stone, Tim Tadlock, Matt Wells and Chris Beard among others. Both Beard and Gerlich were assistants on the Men's and Women's staffs in the mid 00's under Bob Knight and Marsha Sharp respectively.

Gerlich got emotional talking about her former school and job at UT Arlington. She thanked the administration of the university and talked about how saying goodbye to those players was incredibly tough because of the relationships she's built with that team. She reiterated to the current Lady Raiders that she wants to build in Lubbock. "It's always about the players," Gerlich said. "I would not be standing here today if it wasn't for my former players buying in." Gerlich turned her attention to the current Lady Raiders. "Because of what they have achieved, great things are going to happen for us in the future."

"Loyalty, trust, hard work, and grit are a few of the things I look for when building a staff." Gerlich said when she announced some of her UTA staff had followed her to Lubbock.

You can watch the entire press conference with Coach Gerlich below:

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