Krista Gerlich has guided a resurgence for the Lady Mavericks since being named head coach on April 11, 2013. Gerlich, who recently wrapped up her seventh season at the helm of the UTA women’s basketball program, has accumulated 289 wins as a head coach, including a program-best 121 with the Lady Mavs.
From her first season into the second, the Lady Mavs increased their win total by 13 from 4 wins to 17 wins, the second largest turnaround in Division I between the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. The Lady Mavericks battled through an injury-riddled 2015-16 campaign to post a 15-16 record. The team finished 34th nationally in scoring defense at 56.5 points per game - second in the Sun Belt.
Gerlich guided UTA to a 22-9 overall record, a second place finish in the Sun Belt and a berth to the postseason in 2016-17 as UTA went to the WNIT and participated in the postseason for the first time since 2009.
The 2018-19 season was a special one for Gerlich and UTA as they wrapped up the year with a 24-8 overall record and a 15-3 record in Sun Belt play. UTA tied the program record for single-season wins (24 wins; Donna Capps led Lady Mavs squad in 2006-2007 (24-9 overall)) and were ranked No. 25 in the final CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 Poll.
UTA earned the program's first Sun Belt regular season crown in 18-19 (4th overall; Southland Conference Regular-Season Titles in 2004-05, 2006-07, 2008-09) and earned an automatic bid to the WNIT, marking the sixth postseason tournament appearance and fourth postseason WNIT appearance in program history.
The 2019 Sun Belt Coach of the Year led the Lady Mavs to the program’s first postseason win and UTA finished the campaign leading the Sun Belt Conference in scoring margin (+11.0), field goal percentage (44%), three-point percentage (35.7%), assists per game (17.0) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2).
In the national rankings, the 2018-19 edition of the Lady Mavs ranked in the Top-50 nationally in multiple categories, including assists per game (17th), total assists (23rd), assist-to-turnover ratio (27th), scoring margin (35th), steals per game (35th), total steals (37th), FG percentage (37th), 3pt FG Percentage (37th), turnovers forced (39th), and win-loss percentage (43rd; .750).
The Lady Mavs wrapped up the 2019-20 season with a 21-11 overall record (14-4 SBC), securing Gerlich's third 20-win season in Arlington and the 11th overall for the Lady Mavs. UTA earned the No. 3 seed in the SBC Tourney and went on to defeat Texas State in the first round before falling to South Alabama in the Quarterfinals. Gerlich and the Lady Mavs were hopeful for a postseason tournament berth, but those hopes were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which canceled the 2020 Sun Belt Women's Basketball Championship, the 2020 NCAA Tournament and the 2020 Postseason WNIT and WBI.
The Lady Mavericks picked up a huge win on the road at Big XII foe Kansas State (57-53), giving UTA their first win over a Power 5 school since 2006 (Dec. 29, 2006 - 66-55 vs. Ole Miss) and snapping the Wildcats' 10-game home winning streak over non-conference opponents. In the regular season finale at ULM, the Lady Mavs defeated the Warhawks, 74-67, to give Gerlich her 120th victory as UTA head coach and make her the all-time winningest coach in program history, breaking a tie with Donna Capps.
Members of Gerlich’s first recruiting class at UT Arlington, Rebekah VanDijk and Cierra Johnson have cemented their names in the UTA and Sun Belt record books. VanDijk, the 2015 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and easily one of the best post players in UTA history, became the first player in program history to record more than 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career on the way to setting the UTA all-time rebounding record with 1,117, breaking a record that stood since 1979. In the UTA record books her 1,658 points rank third all-time, 9.2 rebounds per game fifth, 661 field-goals made in second, 354 free-throws made third, 502 attempted first and 203 blocks second. Her 46 double-doubles are most in program history.
Cierra Johnson, the lone Lady Mav hooper to be named SBC Defensive Player of the Year and SBC Player of the Year during her career, scored her 1,000th career point at Oral Roberts during the 2018-19 season to become the 19th woman in UTA history to join UTA’s 1,000-point club. Johnson, who had a great redshirt senior season after tearing her ACL during the 2017-18 campaign, finished her career with 1,396 points to rank seventh all-time on UTA career list and 315 assists to rank 6th all-time in Sun Belt history. She also finished with her collegiate career as the program’s all-time leader and steals (318), which placed her third all-time in the SBC.
PRIOR TO UTA
Prior to joining UTA in 2013, Gerlich spent seven seasons as the head coach at West Texas A&M University, where she compiled an impressive record of 168-53 in seven seasons with the Lady Buffs. Her teams won four consecutive South Division Lone Star Conference titles from 2007-10 and three consecutive Lone Star Conference championships from 2008-10.
While at WT, Gerlich became the quickest coach in WTAMU history to record 100, 125 and 150 wins. Gerlich guided the Lady Buffs to the NCAA Tournament in 2011-12 and a 30-4 record in 2009-10 as it was the first 30-win season for the Lady Buffs since 1994. The 2009-10 squad won the LSC title, the 11th in school history, and finished third in the NCAA South Central Regional tournament.
Gerlich guided the Lady Buffs to the Elite Eight in 2009 for the first time in 11 seasons as they finished 28-6 with their fourth-consecutive LSC South Division title and second-consecutive LSC Tournament championship. In her first season at WT, she guided the team to a 28-5 record in 2006-07 and a perfect 14-0 record in LSC league play, while earning Coach of the Year honors in the LSC South Division.
Prior to landing her first head coaching position at WT, Gerlich spent three seasons with another highly successful West Texas women's basketball program, serving as an assistant to Hall of Fame coach Marsha Sharp at Texas Tech. During her time in Lubbock, Gerlich helped guide the Lady Raiders to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a 24-8 overall record, a 12-4 Big 12 mark and a spot in the Sweet 16 during the 2004-05 campaign.
While on the Tech bench, Gerlich was heavily involved in almost every aspect of the program as she instructed preseason individual workouts, coached the perimeter players, reviewed film and handled game day preparations for the Lady Raiders. Throughout the school year she also assisted in the academic progress of the Lady Raider student-athletes.
Before returning to coaching with Texas Tech during the 2003-2004 season, Gerlich took some time off to start a family; she spent the 2002-2003 year teaching math at Hereford High School, where her husband, Bryan, was the athletic director and head football coach.
After graduating from Texas Tech in 1993 with a degree in exercise and sports science, Gerlich got her first coaching job at Lockney High School as the head girls' basketball coach.
From 1994-1997, she was the head girls' coach at Taft High School in San Antonio, Texas. Gerlich entered the college ranks as an assistant at UTSA from 1997-1999. Gerlich followed her position at UTSA by accepting the head coaching job at San Antonio Reagan High School from 1999-2000. In the inaugural season at Reagan, the team posted a 20-5 mark.
PLAYING CAREER
During a stellar playing career at Texas Tech, Gerlich played shooting guard from 1989-1993 and helped guide the squad to the 1993 National Championship, while picking up All-Southwest Conference honors three times. She also was named to the 1993 SWC All-Tournament team, the 1993 West Regional All-Tournament team and the 1993 Final Four All-Tournament team.
Gerlich was selected to the All-Time SWC team, while being named one of the Panhandle's Top 100 Athletes of the Century. During her senior campaign, she became Tech's all-time assist leader by finishing with 553 assists, which now ranks third all-time in program history. In 1993, she was named the NCAA Texas Woman of the Year. On Dec. 5, 1993, Gerlich's No. 21 was retired and now hangs in the rafters at the United Spirit Arena, making her one of just three Lady Raiders to have her number retired.
The Spearman, Texas, native was a three time all-state selection in basketball while attending Sudan (Texas) High and Spearman High School. She was a member of the 1987 state championship basketball team at Sudan HS, where her father, Jim Kirkland, was her high school basketball coach. In 1988, she helped Spearman HS claim the cross country state championship and was a four time all-state selection in cross country. She placed third at the 1989 state track meet in the 1600 meters.
PERSONAL
Born in Spearman, Texas, Gerlich was a three time all-state selection in basketball while attending Sudan (Texas) High and Spearman High School. She was a member of the 1987 state championship basketball team at Sudan HS, where her father, Jim Kirkland, was her high school basketball coach. In 1988, she helped Spearman HS claim the cross country state championship and was a four time all-state selection in cross country. She placed third at the 1989 state track meet in the 1600 meters.
Gerlich is married to Bryan Gerlich, who is also a Texas Tech graduate and a former linebacker on the Red Raider football team (1987-1992). The couple has a daughter, Bryn, and a son, Brayden.
Â
THE GERLICH FILE
Experience
UTA (2013-2020) – Head Coach
West Texas A&M (2006-2013) – Head Coach
Texas Tech (2003-06) – Assistant Coach
Reagan HS (1999-2000) – Head Girls’ Coach
UTSA (1997-99) – Assistant Coach
Taft HS (1994-97) – Head Girls’ Coach
Lockney HS (1993-94) – Head Girls’ Coach
Hall Of Fame
Inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame in fall 2014
Inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2003
NCAA Playing Career
Texas Tech (1989-93)
*Jersey (#21) retired by Texas Tech on Dec. 5, 1993
Education
Texas A&M-Kingsville: Master's in Educational Administration (1997)
Texas Tech: Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sports Science (1993)
Personal
Husband: Bryan
Children: Bryn, Brayden
Â
| Career Record |
289-147 (.663) in 14 seasons |
| UTA Record |
121-94 (.546) in 7 seasons |
| NCAA Tournament Record (including Div. II) |
5-5 (.500) |
| Postseason WNIT Record |
1-2 (.333) |
| Preseason WNIT Record |
1-2 (.333) |
| Sun Belt Regular Season Record |
79-51 (.608) in 7 seasons |
| Sun Belt Regular Season Championships |
2019 (Co-Champs) |
| Sun Belt Tournament Appearances (last) |
6 (2020) |
| Sun Belt Tournament Record |
2-6 (.200) |
| Lone Star Conference Championships |
3 (2008, 2009, 2010) |
| Sun Belt First-Team Selections |
Rebekah VanDijk (2017, 2018), Cierra Johnson (2019), Marie Benson (2020) |
| Sun Belt Second-Team Selections |
4 – Desherra Nwanguma (2014), Rebekah VanDijk (2015, 2016), Cierra Johnson (2017) |
| Sun Belt Third-Team Selections |
2 - Cierra Johnson (2016), Crystal Allen (2018) |
| Sun Belt Player of the Year |
1 - Cierra Johnson (2019; Co-Player) |
| Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year |
2 - Cierra Johnson (2017, 2019) |
| Sun Belt Freshman of the Year |
1 -Â Rebekah VanDijk (2015) |
| Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year |
1 - Marie Benson (2020) |
| WBCA All-American’s |
7 - Emily Brister (2007, 2008, 2009), Joni Unruh (2010), Jamie Simmons (2010), Devin Griffin (2013), Chontiquah White (2013) |
| Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) South Central Player of the Year |
2 - Emily Brister (2007, 2008) |
| Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) South Central All-Region |
5 |
| Lone Star Conference All-Conference Selections |
17 - Emily Brister (2007, 2008, 2009), Natalie Wheeler (2007), Courtney Lee (2009), Jamie Simmons (2009, 2010), Joni Unruh (2009, 2010), Megan McLain (2010), Holly Isaacs (2010), Aly Sherman (2011), Ariel Robertson (2011), Kenisha Harris (2012), Devin Griffin (2012), Ashley Leven (2012), Chontiquah White (2013) |
| Lone Star Conference Player of the Year |
5 - Emily Brister (2007, 2008, 2009), Joni Unruh (2009), Jamie Simmons (2010) |
| Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year |
2 - Courtney Lee (2008), Aly Sherman (2011) |
| Lone Star Conference Newcomer of the Year |
2 - Jamie Simmons (2010), Devin Griffin (2012) |
| Lone Star Conference All-Academic |
11 - Emily Brister (2007, 2008, 2009), Kylee Aleman (2007), Holly Isaacs (2008, 2009, 2010), Jamie Dreiling (2009), Joni Unruh (2009, 2010), Megan McLain (2010) |
| Lone Star Conference Academic Player of the Year |
3 - Emily Brister (2007, 2008, 2009) |
| Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Coach of the Year |
2 - 2009, 2010 |
| Sun Belt Coach of the Year |
1 - 2019 |
| Lone Star Conference South Division Coach of the Year |
2 - 2007, 2010 |
Â
GERLICH YEAR-BY-YEAR HEAD COLLEGIATE COACHING RECORD
| Year |
School |
Overall
Record |
Conference
Record (Finish) |
Conference
Tournament |
Postseason |
| 2006-07 |
West Texas A&M |
28-5 |
14-0
(1st, LSC) |
2-1 (Runner-Up) |
1-1 - NCAA DII South Central Regional |
| 2007-08 |
West Texas A&M # |
26-5 |
14-0
(1st, LSC) |
3-0 (Champions) |
0-1 - NCAA DII South Central Regional |
| 2008-09 |
West Texas A&M # |
28-6 |
10-2
(1st, LSC) |
3-0 (Champions) |
3-1 - NCAA DII Elite 8 |
| 2009-10 |
West Texas A&M # |
30-4 |
10-2
(1st, LSC) |
3-0 (Champions) |
1-1 - NCAA DII South Central Regional |
| 2010-11 |
West Texas A&M |
17-11 |
10-4
(4th, LSC) |
0-1 |
- |
| 2011-12 |
West Texas A&M |
19-10 |
16-4
(2nd, LSC) |
1-1 |
0-1 - NCAA DII South Central Regional |
| 2012-13 |
West Texas A&M |
20-12 |
14-6
(4th, LSC) |
2-1 (Runner-Up) |
- |
| 2013-14 |
UTA |
4-25 |
3-15
(10th, SBC) |
- |
- |
| 2014-15 |
UTA |
17-13 |
11-9
(T-4th, SBC) |
0-1 |
- |
| 2015-16 |
UTA |
15-16 |
10-10
(6th, SBC) |
0-1 |
- |
| 2016-17 |
UTA |
22-9 |
14-4
(2nd, SBC) |
1-1 (lost in Semifinals) |
0-1 - WNITÂ First Round |
| 2017-18 |
UTA |
18-12 |
12-6
(T-3rd, SBC) |
0-1 |
- |
| 2018-19 |
UTA * |
24-8 |
15-3
(T-1st, SBC) |
0-1 |
1-1 - WNITÂ First Round |
| 2019-20 |
UTA |
21-11 |
14-4
(3rd, SBC) |
1-1 (lost in Quarterfinals) |
- |
| CAREER TOTALÂ Â Â Â |
14 Seasons |
289-147 (.663) |
167-69 (.708) |
16-10 (.615) |
5 NCAA DII,
2 WNIT |
| UTA TOTALÂ Â Â Â |
7 Seasons |
121-94 (.546) |
79-51 (.608) |
2-6 (.250) |
2 WNIT |
# - Lone Star Conference Champions
* - Sun Belt Conference Regular Season Champions
Â
