2008 Woodie Awards
Coach leaves; assistant set to replace
By: Thomas Lawrence
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Sports
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Goodenbour departs after two winning seasons at the helm of the Wildcats, which included last year's trip to the NCAA West Regional playoffs, where the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves unseated the CCAA champion Wildcats to end their magical season.
Despite the loss of an excellent coach, Anita Barker, athletic director, appreciated the way UC Irvine contacted the athletic department for permission to speak to Goodenbour about the head coach vacancy. That is the correct, legal and ethical way to conduct such business, Barker said.
Goodenbour's departure came late in the off-season. Most hirings are done in the spring and early summer, Barker said.
Barker supports Goodenbour and said it was a good opportunity to coach a Division I program.
Barker has good reason to back up Goodenbour, considering the Wildcats' success since the beginning of her short tenure.
Goodenbour's two squads had an overall record of 52-11, including a conference title in 2008.
"Probably her hallmark is her defensive style," Barker said, citing the driving factor of Goodenbour's success as a college coach.
Barker added that along with this defensive prowess, Goodenbour's teams rely on multiple players to get the job done on both ends of the floor, avoiding superstar, isolation-style basketball that can lead to the doom of college teams with the best of individual talents.
Goodenbour heads to a UC Irvine team that has struggled in recent seasons, with a 7-24 team last year and a winning percentage of only .226.
Meanwhile, former UC Davis men's head coach and last year's first assistant coach, Brian Fogel, will take the reins of the program, looking to repeat a CCAA championship.
Fogel had immense success while at UC Davis, winning 66 percent of the Aggies' games played, and a trip to the 2000 Division II Sweet 16.
As Goodenbour's first assistant coach last year, Fogel already has the built-in relationships with returning players and a good idea of what it takes to be an effective head coach at the women's Division II level.
"It was a wise move to make a quick transition," Barker said.
The Wildcats bring back a strong roster this season, including Natasha Smith and Jade Smith-Williams.
The Fogel era begins Nov. 20 in a home game against Alaska Fairbanks.
Thomas Lawrence can be reached at
tlawrence@theorion.com
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