Andy Landers Retires from Georgia Women’s Basketball
After 36 years and over 850 wins, Andy Landers is retiring as Women’s Head Basketball Coach at the University of Georgia.
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Andy Landers is retiring as Georgia Women’s Basketball Head Coach.
Lander’s just completed his 36th season as head coach .
Landers is the only full time Women’s Basketball Head Coach the University of Georgia has ever had.
Landers won over 850 games as Georgia as head coach.
"“I feel blessed to have had the privilege of working at the University of Georgia for the past 36 years. Athens is a wonderful community where I have raised my family and had the unwavering support of my wife Pam, my daughter Andrea and my son Drew. I appreciate the support of a wonderful Bulldog Nation…our loyal fans…and the Fastbreak Club members. I owe a special thanks to Coach Vince Dooley for entrusting me with the challenge of building a successful program 36 years ago and to Greg McGarity for continuing that trust and support. A big thank you to Hugh Durham for being a young coach’s mentor…to Presidents Davison, Knapp, Adams and Morehead for their guidance and leadership…to all my former and present staff members and coaches who worked tirelessly to help make the success that we have a reality.”"
Landers never grabbed the ultimate brass ring of an NCAA Championship. He has that in common with the preponderance of his colleagues. But what he accomplished at Georgia is legendary and few coaches ever engineered the turnaround Georgia achieved with Landers at the helm.
Prior to Landers’ arrival, Georgia Women’s basketball was a state wide joke. Beaten regularly by in-state colleges, The Lady Dawgs record from 1973 to 1976 was 37-85. After Landers arrived in 1980, Georgia won the 1981 WNIT, played in the inaugural NCAA Tournament of 1982, advanced to the NCAA Final Four in 1983 and were 1985 NCAA runners-up.
“Andy has led our women’s basketball program on an incredible journey for 36 years, and his Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame recognition in 2007 is a testimony to his impact on the world of women’s college basketball,” J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity told Georgiadogs.com. “Andy has poured his heart and soul into our program, and his dedication to the remarkable athletic and academic progress of his student-athletes is sincerely appreciated by everyone associated with UGA. I will also miss working alongside my good friend. We wish Andy and Pam the very best as he heads into retirement.”
While the number of wins and the number of years is remarkable, what this writer will most remember is the depth and breadth of the affection shared between Landers and his players. While his on court demeanor was un-forgiving, the love between Landers and his players is truly special.