UT Arlington, Women’s Basketball Coach Krista Gerlich Agree on Contract Extension

By UT Arlington Athletics Department

Posted on April 20, 2016, April 20, 2016

 

Photo Courtesy of UTA Athletics

 

The University of Texas at Arlington and women's basketball coach Krista Gerlich have agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2019-20 season. Additional contract terms were not disclosed.

"We're pleased to have Coach Gerlich extended for an additional two years," UT Arlington Athletic Director Jim Baker said. "She and her staff have done a great job in the three years they have been here, and I am extremely excited about where this team is going and the future of the program both on the court and in the classroom. We are in great hands with Coach Gerlich at the helm."

Gerlich has guided a resurgence for the Lady Mavericks since being named head coach on April 11, 2013. UTA has earned two consecutive trips to the Sun Belt Conference Championship tournament, as well as garnering an invitation to the 2015 Women 's Preseason National Invitation Tournament. UTA achieved its first winning season since the 2008-09 season when the Lady Mavs went 17-14 in 2014-15, a 14-win improvement from the prior season.

"I am excited and very thankful to Jim Baker and Dr. Vistasp Karbhari for their support and belief in me and my staff with this extension," Gerlich said. "I think it shows they can see our vision and our efforts to continue to build the women 's basketball program here at UTA into a premier program in the Sun Belt Conference and Division I athletics.

"We have made great strides in the three years we have been here and this extension shows our team, our community, our university and our prospective student-athletes the university 's commitment to women 's basketball while giving us stability for our future. UTA is a great university that we will continue to showcase on a national level. I am thrilled to be at UTA and excited about our future."

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. Rebekah VanDijk led the Lady Mavs with 12.2 points per game and was named to the All-Sun Belt second team. Cierra Johnson was on the Sun Belt third team.

UTA is set to return eight student-athletes from this season 's squad, including VanDijk and Johnson.