Coach Curl Chat Wrap

Oct. 23, 2001

Joe Curl: Good morning. Looking forward to answering any questions you have for me.

Bill (Houston): Coach,
Congrats on your recruiting. Has it gone better than you thought it would so soon? How does it look for next year?

Joe Curl: Thank you for the congrats on the recruiting. It's going very much how we expected in the recruiting prospect. I'm very proud of the incoming class of five freshman we have this year.

Houston : Does your team solely rely on Chandi Jones She's good but kind of overrated Since the ACL injury has her game declined any?

Joe Curl: Our team does not solely rely on Chandi Jones, but Chandi is a very telented, and in my humble opinion, maybe under-rated. Do I think she's the next-level player right now as I speak? I don't think she's quite ready for the next level, but I do believe that in the near future, she will be ready for the next level. She has been 100 percent released to play and that's a tribute to her work ethic since he knee injury occurred last season. And, as I've said many times, the best thing about Chandi Jones' game is that she is a better person than she is a player. And I think she's a great, great player.

Steve (NYC)`: Coach, it's great to have you at the University. We look forward to greater success this year with the talent you've accumulated. What are your recruiting priorities for next year? Thanks and Go Lady Coogs!!!

Joe Curl: First I want to say thank you for your comment about being at the University. This is a great opportunity for myself and family, and I truly love the University of Houston.

In regards to the priorities of the upcoming recruiting class, we are being extremely selective. We can only sign two players this year and have offered two young ladies, and they won't sign until April. That's all I can really say about that at this time.

Rick (Katy): I am looking forward to bringing my daughter to watch the Lady Coogs again this season. I have two questions for you. First, is Chandi Jones fully recovered from her ACL injury? Second, do we have the right ladies to replace the ones we lost to graduation? My daughter is one of your biggest fans (5'7" and 12 years old in the 6th grade) and is hoping to play for you when she gets to the collegiate level. See you on November 18th. GO COOGS!

Joe Curl: I appreciate the comment and the support that you and your daughter have given myself and the Lady Cougars. Tell your daughter to keep shooting and rebounding!

In regards to Chandi, she has been 100 percent released to play. And in my opinion, we have done a great jib we have done a great job in getting recruits to replace the seniors of a year ago.

lee h-houston: who in conference usa is going to be your main competition for the conference championship ?

Joe Curl: What a great question! Time certainly is going to tell the true answer of that. But in my opinion at this time, there are several teams that will be fighting for the top spot in C-USA. C-USA has expanded to 14 teams this year, with the entry of TCU and East Carolina. But to get to the top contenders, there are a number of teams such as TCU, Tulane, UAB, Louisville, DePaul and we think the Lady Cougars are going to be right in the mix. Our goal is to compete for the conference championship. We were blessed last year to finish second on our side and get a first-round bye in the tournament. Our goal is to better that this year.

Carrie: I am a freshman point guard on the varsity squad. What should I be working on/can I do over the next three years to increase the chances of colleges noticing me? Thank you.

Joe Curl: A point guard's true asset to a team is make every one around her better. Your leadership is crucial. Your abilituy to communicate with your players on and off the floor is crucial. There are several things you can do to be recognized by colleges, starting with just doing the very best you can during the course of your season. Let the collegese that you have an interest in know that you're interested in them through a memo or letter, email, etc. Send them your schedule and get involved with summer camps at those particular universities so they can see you first hand in that environment. And of course, playing summer basketball and going to such things as the Whataburger Shoot-out in College Station, as well as other tournaments around the state and country.

Thanks for your question.

UH Fan!: What team goals have you set for the season and can you give us a quick synopsis of the incoming players? Best of luck this season!

Joe Curl: I'm very philosophical about this question. Ourt number one goal is to prepare mentally and physically to win the next game. But our overall goal s are to win Conference USA, win the C-USA Tournament and to make it to the NCAA Tournament and advance as far as we can with the goal of winning it all. These are all very high goals, but that is truly what our plan is.

John (Dallas): To what do you attribute your early success at UH? How did you change the attitude of the players, to make them believe they could compete?

Joe Curl: What a big-time question that is! The first part of that is that the University of Houston fights from a year-to-year basis, a common problem of perception versus reality. We needed to sell at a real early time to our players what a great opporunity that we all have to be at UH, which is a big-time university ofd research, education and business as well as many other fields of excellence.

Winning always comes down to doing all of the little things, and if you do the little things from play to play, from half to half, and game to game, winning takes care of itself. And once we've tasted that winning, and have that feeling, it's natural to want that feeling again and again. Such as the game in my first year against a great university in the University of Texas, with tremendous tradition and obviously a winning program. And I kept asking the players, "Why not us? Why not UH?" And again, doing the little things create winning and championships. I also will say winning is a process. There is no magic wand or shortcuts, you have to pay the price.

Again, I apprceciate your question.

LadyCoogs.com: Coach -- if you had to pick a starting line-up for the UTSA game, who would it be?

Joe Curl: That's a fun question. Coaches play that game in their mind all the time. But we are instilling into our players, it's not necessarily who starts, it's who finishes and contributes to the success of that particular game. But it's exciting to think of players such as Courtney Pastner at the point guard, Chandi Jones at the off guard, incoming freshman Shondra Bush at the forward spot, Valerie Muoenke at the post as well as 6'5.5" freshman Kiki Harris at the other post. And in just playing this quick game of who starts and who doesn't, wow, what a group coming off the bench!

Nicole Oliver, who probably will start for us, and in my opinion the best defensive player that we have, Angela Curl, probably our best shooter at 6'1", is probably our best overall all-around player and could probably start for us in four different positions. I could go on and on, and maybe the next time we have a chat, we can play this game a little further.

Henderson (Baton Rouge, LA): It's such a pleasure to see what you have done with this program. Can you tell us what to expect from this year's freshman crop?

Joe Curl: Thanks for your question from LA! What a great basketball state. I've signed many players from the state of Louisiana, one of which is standing over my shoulder watching me talk to you and now is the director of basketball operations here at UH for the Lady Cougars, Lesli Vollrath. She played at C. E. Bird High School in Shreveport. Our last year's starting point guard is from your home town of baton Rouge, Jessica Shanklin.

To get to your question, incoming freshman such as Sara Hinkley, who won three straight state championships, and ironically, broke Chandi Jones' state scoring record, will impact immediately. Ashley Cotton, who I have not yet spoke about, may have as much college potential as any incoming freshman in C-USA. At 6'3," she can play three diffferent positions and is quick as a cat, left-hander, runs the court, shoots the ball well, and brings a defensive presence inside and out. Kiki Harris, at 6'5" and maybe close to 6'6", runs the court like a guard, experience and strength can lead her to the door step of one of the next All-Americans at UH.

Shondra Bush, considered by most as the best player in Texas a year ago, is the real deal. She blew her knee out about a month of her high school season and with the tremendous work ethic this past summer, was released to play in the second week of Oct. We also have Jennifer Curl, my youngest daughter, who has a great feel for the game and being a coach's kid, understands what it takes to win. Crystal Simpson, another freshman, has been slowed with a nagging knee injury and had arthroscopic surgery three weeks ago and is working herself back into practice.

You can see in talking about these freshman, it's an exciting time for Lady Cougar basketball and thanks for your question.

Phillip: Coach Curl--have you made an effort to go after players in the inner-city schools in Houston? Have you found any players that are Division I material in those schools?

Joe Curl: Without question, our first priority is to recruit Houston, the greater Houston area, this part of our state, progressing to state-wide recruiting and if necessary, nationally. But we are making an absolute committment to recruit Houston first. There is no doubt , if we keep the talent at home, we can compete on the national level.

Wayne, Baytown: Coach, I hear Valerie Muoneke has gotten herself into great shape this year, can you comment on your expectations for her.

Joe Curl: I'm very proud of Valerie Muoneke. What a beautiful kid she is! She has been very committed toi getting herself into tremendous shape. During our last Sunday's coaches clinic, she was playing like a whompster (half woman, half monster)! Coach Chancellor from the Houston Comets was in attendance and immediately asked, "Coach, who is THAT? She can really play!"

Valerie should be very much an intrical part of the success of our team this year.

Nick, South Houston: Coach Curl, first let me say how much I enjoy all your tailgate functions, your infectious enthusiasm is as tasty as your barbecue. Could you please comment on what your looking for in a new AD.

Joe Curl: What a great question about what a great university is looking for in an Athletic Director.

Certainly Dr. Smith, UH's president, is in the dirver's seat in securing us a new AD. But I was asked what we were looking for in a new AD, and here are some traits that I think are crucial to this position: committed, work ethic, aggressiveness, a winner, experienced, a person who can deal with internal issues as well as getting out into the community and raising whatever awareness, and/or funds to continue the advancement of the overall university's athletic dept., and perception. This again is an exciting opportunity for the university to continue to move forward in all areas. And I also might say, I'm looking for someone who I consider to be a boss, a friend and someone who understands the value of not only women's basketball, but all sports from Olympic through sports such as football, men's basketball and others.

Coogahoopa (Houston): What is Courtney Pastner going to bring to the table?

Joe Curl: Courtney Pastner is someone I could talk about for the next couple of hours, but since practice is closing in on me, I'm only going to be able to answer a few more quick questions. In regards to Courtney, WOW!

What a competitor. Off the court, she's a 3.7-plus student, a kid who just exemplifies class. Her work ethic is second to none that I've ever coached. Her skill level is extremely high. And from time to time, people will question her size, but her size is not a question. The size of her heart makes her what she is.

If every coach would have the opportunity to coach a Courtney Pastner-type player, most of us would stay in coaching for a career and forget about selling insurance. I cannot say enough quality things about Courtney and what she brings to our program.

LadyCoogs.com: Coach, tell us what you expect from Kiki Harris and Shondra Bush this year--do either have a shot at Freshman of the Year in C-USA?

Joe Curl: Not only do Kiki and Shondra have the possibilities of getting some recognition, so do some of the other freshman. But to give you an example of recognition is to say the better our team gets and the success we have as a team, all players, returners as well as newcomers, all should have comsideration for numerous awards. Which is not our first priority in set of goals, but individuals will get awards as the team has success.

UH Rocks!!: What will be the one most important key to winning the conference this year? Who do you consider to be your biggest rival?

Joe Curl: Ok, I'm getting ready to shut this down and get to practice, but I'm going to answer this quality question first. But before I answert that question, I want to thank every one who has posted questions and well wishes. We are all family and we represent you, this community, the university, our athletic program and families.

The question posted is what one most important key to winning the conference is, and in my opinion, doing the little things better and mroe consistent day-to-day, week-to-week, game-to-game than our opponents. When I talk about little things, on the court is certainly starts with that we must be a vicious rebounding and defensive team game in and game out. Offense, from time to time, can be a little inconsistent, such as shooting percentage and things like that. But rebounding and defense starts and ends with effort. Effort is a key ingredient to winning.

We would like our fans who are in attendance to walk out Hofheinz pavilion, whether we win or lose, to say, "Wow. Those Lady Cougars really play hard. They play smart and they play together. They're fun to watch and their effort is not in question."

Again, I thank all the Cougars for posting questions and giving me this opportunity to thank you for your support. Eat 'em up, Coogs!

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

University of Houston Athletics

Coach Curl Chat Wrap

Related News

Related Videos