Sherri Coale
Sherri Coale: A Pioneering Coach and Trailblazer in Women's Basketball
Full Name and Common Aliases
Sherri Coale is a renowned American women's basketball coach, best known for her 26-year tenure as the head coach at the University of Oklahoma. Her full name is Sherri Coale.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 22, 1959, in Kansas City, Missouri, Coach Coale is still active in the coaching world.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American, Women's Basketball Coach
Coach Coale has dedicated her life to developing young women into exceptional basketball players and leaders. She holds a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master's degree from Oral Roberts University.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Sherri was introduced to sports at an early age by her parents, who encouraged her to participate in various activities, including basketball. Her father, a coach himself, instilled in her the importance of hard work and dedication.
Coale's passion for basketball led her to play collegiate ball, eventually earning All-American honors while attending Oklahoma Baptist University. After completing her education, she began coaching at the high school level before joining the University of Oklahoma as an assistant coach in 1985.
Major Accomplishments
During her tenure at Oklahoma, Sherri Coale accumulated numerous accolades:
20 Big 12 Conference Championships: A testament to her ability to motivate and lead teams to success.
8 NCAA Final Four appearances: A remarkable achievement that highlights Coach Coale's exceptional coaching skills and team management expertise.
2002 NCAA Championship: The crowning jewel of her career, where the Sooners secured their first national title.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions include:
Developing the "Hard Work and Heart" philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of effort, dedication, and teamwork in achieving success.
Building a strong coaching staff, fostering an environment that encourages growth, trust, and collaboration among team members.
Establishing the Sherri Coale Foundation, dedicated to providing resources and support for young women's basketball players.
Impact and Legacy
Coach Coale's influence extends far beyond her impressive coaching record:
Inspiring a generation of female coaches: She has paved the way for more women to pursue careers in sports, breaking down barriers and promoting equality.
Empowering young women through education: The Sherri Coale Foundation provides opportunities for underprivileged girls to access quality basketball instruction, promoting personal growth and development.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Sherri Coale's remarkable career has earned her numerous accolades and recognition:
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction: A testament to her lasting impact on the sport.
WBCA National Coach of the Year award: A nod to her exceptional coaching skills and dedication to her craft.
Her unwavering commitment to developing young women, both on and off the court, has made Sherri Coale a beloved figure in the world of women's basketball.
Quotes by Sherri Coale
I do realize that we probably set the game back about 15 years by our turnovers. But to win in spite of that ... there must be some other things that you're doing pretty well.
I don't think there's ever been anyone who could touch what she's done. For her to separate herself from everyone in this day and age is really special.
If you can survive all that heat, you can exploit on the back side. Gary knows that. It's a risk he takes.
Iowa State played fantastic. When we were up by 10 points (with 6 1/2 minutes to play), Iowa State could have said 'we're done,' but they kept fighting.
I'm so proud of our kids. I thought they competed well and showed team unity throughout. I realize we set the game back 15 years with our turnovers. You throw it to them 32 times and win - we must have done something right.
I just watched film of Anne Donovan and Nancy Lieberman and Cheryl Miller, and I've never been on the floor next to them when they played. But I've never in my 10 years as coach been on the floor with anything like Courtney Paris.
I'm really glad that we have this carrot of going undefeated, to dangle out there in front of them to keep them directed and going after a prize. It's like a good hunting dog - they need something to chase.
I'm really proud of this team and what we've accomplished. Securing a Big 12 championship with games yet to be played is a pretty special accomplishment and we're not taking it for granted for one single second. We're just not going to celebrate it with all the euphoria yet, because there's so much out there still that we can do.
I'm fine with it. It does not really matter to me. You have to beat everybody at some point anyway.