In a handful of days, incoming first-years will not be the only "new kids" on Grounds at the University. With wide eyes and open ears, Virginia two newest head coaches -- Karen Johns and Mark Guilbeau -- will be trying their best, just like their younger first-year counterparts, to take in and learn as much as they can in their new surroundings.
"It has been a good experience so far," Johns said. "I am trying to get organized and get moving. It can get a little hectic, but so far it has been good."
Former Florida softball coach Johns was announced as Virginia's coach on June 29, after former Virginia coach Cheryl Sprangel resigned from the position on May 31st.
After eight seasons at Virginia, Sprangel compiled a 303-215 record and earned the title of "winningest coach in Virginia softball history."Within a month, Virginia Athletics Director Craig Littlepage announced the hiring of Johns as the new head coach of the Cavaliers and seventh softball coach in Virginia history.
In her five years as the Gators' coach, Johns posted a 192-131 record (.594 winning percentage). She led Florida to four NCAA Regional appearances in all of her seasons, except 2002. Recently, she led the Gators to a 41-23 record in 2005 and the No. 13 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Johns' strong dedication to academics and athletics attracted her to Virginia.
"I really think that it matters that Virginia has such a wonderful balance of academics and athletics," Johns said. "It is kept in a strong perspective that athletics are part of the process and not the process. It is a refreshing mentality to be around."
In addition to the balance of academics and athletics, Johns grasped the opportunity to be close to home as well.
"From a personal setting, this is closer to home," Johns said. "I grew up in the northeast, so I am pretty familiar with this area. This is about five hours from home. Overall, my daughter's cousins and relatives live close by."
Not only is Johns getting used to living in Virginia, but getting to know the players she has started to work with and coach.
"Right now I am talking to the kids that are returning -- getting to know them," Johns said.
Once she builds on the present pieces, she will prepare to add new parts to the team through recruiting.
"You have to go out and find great players that can not only match the athletic end of it, but the academic end of it," Johns said.
With the blend of experienced and younger talent, Johns hopes to improve off of last year's 31-32 season (9-8 in the ACC) and establish Virginia as a top tier program.
Guilbeau hopes to follow up the long tenure of recently retired coach Phil Rogers. After 260 wins and 23 years as head women's tennis coach at Virginia, Rogers decided to leave coaching for good.
"In some ways, I want to make sure that I do all the positive things that Rogers did as a coach," Guilbeau said. "I want to do both, combine what Rogers did and add a whole bunch of things that I have learned."
In his nine years as the head women's tennis coach at the University of Kentucky, Guilbeau compiled an outstanding record. His teams reached the NCAA tournament nine times, made the NCAA quarterfinals once, contained nine All-American players and amassed a record of 152-89. After Kentucky compiled a record of 26-6 last season and attained a No. 4 national ranking, Guilbeau was named the 2005 Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Coach of the Year. Yet, despite his success with the Wildcats, Guilbeau saw an opportunity at Virginia.
"There are so many reasons, but number one overall is that there are so many aspects to the athletic department," Guilbeau said. "First of all, [Virginia is] the strongest academic public university in the nation. Then you have the athletic department that is one of the strongest staffs of any in the country.You have Brian Boland on the men's side of tennis who has shown exactly what you can do with the program at Virginia. Every coach [at Virginia] has the credentials and potential to have a top-20 program in the country.Hopefully, we can work to get into the top-10."
As the honeymoon period begins to wear off and the task at hand settles in for both coaches, Virginia fans will be hoping that Johns and Guilbeau brought not only their belongings when they moved to Charlottesville, but their success too.
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