Women's Basketball
Gerlich, Krista
Krista Gerlich
- Title:
- Head Coach, Women's Basketball
Krista Gerlich enters her sixth season at the helm of her alma matter in 2025-26. A national champion and Texas Tech legend during her time as a student-athlete, Gerlich was hired back in August of 2020.
Since returning to West Texas, Gerlich has started to rebuild the program she once played for. After a successful first season that included the most Big 12 Conference wins by a head coach in their first season in 14 years and the highest finish by a Lady Raider squad in a coaches first season, Gerlich led the Lady Raiders to the programs first 20-win season and postseason appearance since 2012-13 during the 2022-23 season, led by an exciting in-state freshman backcourt of Bailey Maupin and Jasmine Shavers.
In the 2024-25 season, Gerlich coached the Lady Raiders to a 19-win season that saw the team reach the quarterfinals in both the Big 12 Tournament and the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). Texas Tech earned its 1,000th win in program history after defeating Utah in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. In doing so, the Lady Raiders would snap a 22-year drought since they last won two games at the conference tournament.
After the team’s run at the Big 12 Tournament, Tech was selected to the WBIT where they defeated 4-seeded Wyoming and overall No. 1 seed Virginia Tech to advance to the quarterfinals. Gerlich aided the Lady Raiders to key wins over Washington State, Gonzaga, Colorado and Arkansas – the first time Texas Tech defeated the Razorbacks in Fayetteville in the program’s history. In addition, Gerlich coached two All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selections in Shavers and Maupin, who both scored more than 500 points in the season.
In the 2023-24 season, Gerlich's fourth year as head coach of the Lady Raiders, she led the team to back-to-back winning seasons after recording 17 victories on the year. Texas Tech had one of its best starts in program history – winning its first 11 games of the season. The Lady Raiders opened Big 12 play with a victory at Houston (79-71) then welcomed the Kansas Jayhawks to the United Supermarkets Arena for a 73-64 win. The Lady Raiders posted a ranked victory against No. 24 Iowa State, 71-63, a team who would make it to the Big 12 Tournament finals and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
In the conference tournament, Tech pushed past Houston in dominant fashion – the team’s third victory over the Cougars in the season – to make it to the next round of the championships for the first time since 2018-19. In addition, Gerlich coached two sophomore standouts in Bailey Maupin and Jasmine Shavers, who were both named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team, to the 2023-24 Dave Campbell's All-Texas Women's Basketball Awards list and to the CSC Academic All-District Team. Shavers and Maupin led the Lady Raiders offensively as they totaled 15.4 and 14.1 points per game, respectively.
Building off the successes from the previous season, Gerlich’s squad took the next step in 2022-23, earning a bid to the 2023 WNIT field where they advanced to the third round. In the 67-54 victory over UTEP, Gerlich and the Lady Raiders won the programs first postseason victory since 2011-12. In the wire-to-wire victory over UTEP, Lady Raider Nation showed out as Tech recorded the highest opening round attendance (4159) in the opening round of the WNIT. The Lady Raiders ultimately defeated SMU four days later to move to the Third Round of the WNIT where they dropped a nailbiter at SEC foe Arkansas (71-66). Starting with a 69-49 victory over Texas A&M- Corpus Christi, Gerlich led the Lady Raiders to a strong 12-1 non-conference record that included an overtime victory over eventual NCAA Tournament participants Colorado (86-85, OT) and Middle Tennessee (72-67). With the victory over Colorado and at Louisiana, the Lady Raiders earned a share of the 2022 Preseason WNIT crown. In Big 12 Conference play, the Lady Raiders also took a step forward, winning six conference games for just the second time in a decade. The Lady Raiders six Big 12 victories included the program's first ever regular season sweep of Kansas State as well as singular victories against both No. 25 Texas (68-64) and West Virginia (69-68, 2OT). The victory over Texas marked the third straight year that a Gerlich led squad has downed the Longhorns, the first time since 2007-09 that Tech had defeated UT in three consecutive seasons, while the win over West Virginia was the first by a Lady Raider squad since the 2016-17 season and just the sixth all-time win over the Mountaineers.
During the 2022-23 season, the Lady Raiders had a knack for dramatic come-from-behind victories, as Tech erased three double-digit deficits against Colorado (16; Nov. 16), Middle Tennessee State (12; Nov. 25) and West Virginia (17; Feb. 22). Gerlich also continued to show an ability to develop talent, as guards Bailey Maupin and Jasmine Shavers were each named Big 12 Freshman of the Week twice and guard Bre’Amber Scott was named Big 12 Player of the Week. On Jan. 16, Scott and Shavers swept both weekly Big 12 awards, becoming the first duo since Plenette Pierson and Erin Grant to sweep the weekly awards. In addition to the five combined weekly honors, Tech had a First Team All-Big 12 selection for the third straight season as guard Bre’Amber Scott recorded 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game during the 2022-23 season en route to her first career all-conference honors while freshman Bailey Maupin (10.2 points, 2.8 rebounds) was selected to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. The duo of Maupin and Scott erupted for 45 combined double-figure games and a total of 14 games with at least 20 points. Tech’s success was not just limited to on the court as guard Bryn Gerlich was tabbed the Big 12s Women’s Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2022-23. In the end, Tech nearly doubled its win total in 2022-23 (11-to-20), recorded nearly five more points per game and shot over two percent better from the field. The Lady Raiders finished inside the top-15 in the country in free throws made per game (15.5) and were 33rd in the country in free throws attempted per game (20.5)
The 2021-22 season was another step in the right direction for the Lady Raiders, as Gerlich’s squad defeated in-state rival Texas, 74-61. By downing the Longhorns in Austin, Gerlich became the first coach to win in Austin since the 2012-13 season and also recorded the Lady Raiders first victory over a top-10 foe since the 2010-11 season when the Lady Raiders downed No. 1 Baylor.
The win over Texas was the first of three AP Top-25 wins Gerlich’s squad would record during the 2021-22 season, as the Lady Raiders also defeated No. 25 Kansas State 64-45 on Jan. 15 before downing No. 15 Oklahoma (97-87) on Feb. 16.
In addition to the three top-25 wins, Gerlich also helped senior Vivian Gray earn All-America status and Big 12 First Team status in 2021-22. Gray became just the fourth player in Big 12 Conference history to be named a first team selection four times. The forward joined a list that included Courtney Paris (2006-09), Brittney Griner (2009-13) and Oddsey Simms (2010-14).
Despite losing eight games by fewer than 10 points in conference play, the Lady Raiders showed tangible growth in year two, defeating Texas and Oklahoma in the same season for the first time since the 2001-02 season. In fact, by beating both OU and Texas on the road, the Lady Raiders recorded the first road sweep of OU and UT in the same season in program history.
During her first season back in West Texas in 2020-21, Gerlich took the first steps toward returning Lady Raider Basketball to the elite of women’s college basketball.
Gerlich coached the Lady Raiders to the program’s first win over in-state rival Texas since 2013. The Longhorns were ranked No. 20, and the victory also went down as the first top-25 win under a first-year Lady Raider head coach since 2007. Gerlich’s squad knocked off a pair of Big 12 opponents in overtime in 2020-21 as well, which marked the first time ever that the Lady Raiders have knocked off two conference opponents in overtime in the same season.
In her first season, Gerlich oversaw the development of Lady Raider standout Vivian Gray, who became the program’s 27th All-American when she was named a WBCA Coaches All-America selection. Gray had a career season in which she averaged 19.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals, while ranking in the top 20 of the Big 12 in scoring (No. 4), blocks (No. 4), minutes (No. 4), rebounding (No. 8), FG% (No. 10), FT% (No. 11), A/TO ratio (No. 16), steals (No. 16) and assists (No. 17). Gray was named a First Team All-Big 12 selection in her first season playing under Gerlich, and was a top-10 finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award, given to the top small forward in the nation.
SUCCESS AT EVERY STOP
Having experienced success at each stop of her coaching career thus far, Gerlich spent the the seven seasons prior to her arrival in Lubbock at UT-Arlington. She stands as the program’s all-time winningest coach at UTA, accumulating 121 of her 289 career wins as a collegiate head coach to that point at the helm of the Lady Mav program.
During her 15-year head coaching career which also includes seven seasons at West Texas A&M, Gerlich has racked up two TABC Coach of the Year awards, three conference coach of the year honors, four conference titles, five NCAA Tournament wins and eight 20-win seasons. She has overseen eight WBCA All-Americans, six conference players of the year, two All-Big 12 First Team selections, 10 All-Sun Belt selections and 17 Lone Star Conference All-Conference selections.
LEADING THE LADY MAVS
Gerlich led the Lady Mavs to three 20-win seasons, including a 21-11 overall record with a 14-4 mark in Sun Belt games last season, leading to a third-place finish in the Sun Belt conference race. In the nonconference season, Gerlich’s Lady Mavs tallied the program’s first victory over a Power 5 school since 2006 with a 57-53 road win over Tech’s Big 12 foe Kansas State. In the regular season finale at ULM, the Lady Mavs defeated the Warhawks, 74-67, to give Gerlich her 120th victory as UTA head coach and make her the all-time winningest coach in program history
Gerlich was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2019, following a successful campaign in which her Lady Mavs tied the program record for single-season wins, and picked up the program’s first postseason win as well as UTA’s first Sun Belt women’s basketball regular season title. The team earned an automatic bid to the WNIT, marking the sixth postseason tournament appearance and fourth postseason WNIT appearance in program history.
In 2016-17, Gerlich guided UTA to a 22-9 overall record, a second-place finish in the Sun Belt and a berth to the postseason as UTA went to the WNIT and participated in the postseason for the first time since 2009.
From her first season into the second, the Lady Mavs increased their win total by 13 from 4 wins to 17 wins, the second largest turnaround in Division I between the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.
Among the many standouts that Gerlich coached at UTA was four-time All-Sun Belt selection Cierra Johnson, who was named Sun Belt Co-Player of the Year in 2019 and was a two-time Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year pick (2017, 2019). She also coached 2015 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Rebekah VanDijk and 2020 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Marie Benson.
NO STRANGER TO WEST TEXAS
Gerlich’s success in the head coaching ranks hasn’t been exclusive to her time in Arlington, as she led West Texas A&M to stellar 168-53 overall record, four consecutive South Division Lone Star Conference titles and three consecutive Lone Star Conference championships in seven seasons leading the Lady Buffs.
The quickest coach in WTAMU history to reach each of the 100, 125 and 150-win benchmarks, Gerlich led the Lady Buffs to NCAA Tournament appearances in five of her seven years leading the program, including the team’s first Elite Eight appearance in 11 years in 2009. She was named the Lone Star Conference South Division Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2010.
COACHING AT HER ALMA MATER
Prior to taking her first head coaching position, Gerlich spent three years in Lubbock as an assistant coach under Hall of Fame coach Marsha Sharp at her alma mater. She helped guide the Lady Raiders to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a 24-8 overall record, a 12-4 Big 12 mark and a spot in the Sweet 16 during the 2004-05 campaign. Gerlich was heavily involved in almost every aspect of the program as she instructed preseason individual workouts, coached the perimeter players, reviewed film and handled game day preparations for the Lady Raiders. Throughout the school year she also assisted in the academic progress of the Lady Raider student-athletes.
OTHER COACHING EXPERIENCE
Before returning to coaching with Texas Tech during the 2003-2004 season, Gerlich took some time off to start a family; she spent the 2002-2003 year teaching math at Hereford High School, where her husband, Bryan, was the athletic director and head football coach.
After graduating from Texas Tech in 1993 with a degree in exercise and sports science, Gerlich got her first coaching job at Lockney High School as the head girls' basketball coach.
From 1994-1997, she was the head girls' coach at Taft High School in San Antonio, Texas. Gerlich entered the college ranks as an assistant at UTSA from 1997-1999. Gerlich followed her position at UTSA by accepting the head coaching job at San Antonio Reagan High School from 1999-2000. In the inaugural season at Reagan, the team posted a 20-5 mark.
LEGENDARY AS A PLAYER
Lady Raider fans are more than familiar with Gerlich’s long resume as a player at Texas Tech. Aside from helping guide Tech to the 1993 NCAA title, she racked up three All-Southwest Conference accolades, and was named to the 1993 SWC All-Tournament team, the 1993 West Regional All-Tournament team and the 1993 Final Four All-Tournament team.
Named to the All-Time SWC team and one of the Panhandles Top 100 Athletes of the Century, Gerlich was named an honorable mention All-American in 1993. She ranks third in school history in career assists (553), third in career three-point field goals (220), fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.417) and 13th in career scoring (1,324). Her No. 21 was retired by the Lady Raider program on Dec. 5, 1993, making her one of only three former Lady Raiders to have their numbers retired.
Born in Spearman, Texas, Gerlich was a three time all-state selection in basketball while attending Sudan (Texas) High and Spearman High School. She was a member of the 1987 state championship basketball team at Sudan HS, where her father, Jim Kirkland, was her high school basketball coach. In 1988, she helped Spearman HS claim the cross country state championship and was a four time all-state selection in cross country. She placed third at the 1989 state track meet in the 1600 meters.
Gerlich is married to Bryan Gerlich, who is also a Texas Tech graduate and a former linebacker on the Red Raider football team (1987-1992). The couple has a daughter, Bryn, and a son, Brayden.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING...
Jeff Walz – Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Louisville
“Krista is a great hire for Texas Tech women’s basketball. Not only does she do a great job teaching the game and getting the most out of her players, she has a personal stake in Lady Raider Basketball. She is a proven winner as a player and has proven herself as a coach. I’m excited to see where she takes Texas Tech women’s basketball.”
Brian Agler – Former Head Coach, Dallas Wings
“Krista is a great coach and person. She is part of the Marsha Sharp legacy and their 1993 championship team. Krista did an exceptional job at UTA and will carry all her positive traits back to Lubbock.”
Chris Ogden – Former Head Men's Basketball Coach, UT-Arlington
“Coach Gerlich is built for Texas Tech. She loves west Texas and the people that make it so great. Both her coaching style and ability to build strong relationships within her locker room as well as the community will bode well for her. We are going to miss having her around but know she will do great things.”
Zenarae Antoine – Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Texas State
“Krista Gerlich is an outstanding hire for Texas Tech and it goes well beyond her impressive paper resume. She coaches with passion, integrity and pride in the programs that she has built. I have appreciated our “on court battles” in the Sunbelt Conference and I look forward to her continued success in the Big 12.”
Devin Griffin – Former UTA player
“Coach Gerlich is a phenomenal coach and an even better person she has been a mentor a friend and family to me. She is exactly what Lady Raider basketball needs and what young women can look up to for the future. I have so much respect for her and am extremely proud of her and what this means for Lubbock. I can’t wait to bring my team out to support Coach Gerlich and Lady Raider Nation!“
Rebekah VanDijk – Former UTA player
“I am so excited for Coach Gerlich and the opportunity to coach at her alma mater. She is such a great addition to Texas Tech. Coach Gerlich is not only an amazing basketball coach, she is an amazing woman. You’re not going to find someone more passionate about the game of basketball and helping her players become great women. She has made a name for herself as both a player and a coach. I was so blessed to have her as my coach at UTA and am so excited to see her do amazing things at Texas Tech.”
Emily (Brister) Cooper - Former WTAMU player
"This is a well-deserved position for Coach Gerlich. Krista is not only a phenomenal coach and motivator, but she is an amazing role model for the young women that she coaches. She is very passionate and competitive, while still being relatable and understanding toward her athletes. I’m overjoyed to see her back coaching in the Texas Panhandle and I can’t wait to see how she grows the Lady Raider program!"
THE GERLICH FILE
Experience
Texas Tech (2020-present) - Head Coach
UT Arlington (2013-2020) – Head Coach
West Texas A&M (2006-2013) – Head Coach
Texas Tech (2003-06) – Assistant Coach
Reagan HS (1999-2000) – Head Girls’ Coach
UTSA (1997-99) – Assistant Coach
Taft HS (1994-97) – Head Girls’ Coach
Lockney HS (1993-94) – Head Girls’ Coach
Hall Of Fame
Inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame in fall 2014
Inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2003
NCAA Playing Career
Texas Tech (1989-93)
*Jersey (#21) retired by Texas Tech on Dec. 5, 1993
Education
Texas A&M-Kingsville: Master's in Educational Administration (1997)
Texas Tech: Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sports Science (1993)
Personal
Husband: Bryan
Children: Bryn, Brayden
Since returning to West Texas, Gerlich has started to rebuild the program she once played for. After a successful first season that included the most Big 12 Conference wins by a head coach in their first season in 14 years and the highest finish by a Lady Raider squad in a coaches first season, Gerlich led the Lady Raiders to the programs first 20-win season and postseason appearance since 2012-13 during the 2022-23 season, led by an exciting in-state freshman backcourt of Bailey Maupin and Jasmine Shavers.
In the 2024-25 season, Gerlich coached the Lady Raiders to a 19-win season that saw the team reach the quarterfinals in both the Big 12 Tournament and the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). Texas Tech earned its 1,000th win in program history after defeating Utah in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. In doing so, the Lady Raiders would snap a 22-year drought since they last won two games at the conference tournament.
After the team’s run at the Big 12 Tournament, Tech was selected to the WBIT where they defeated 4-seeded Wyoming and overall No. 1 seed Virginia Tech to advance to the quarterfinals. Gerlich aided the Lady Raiders to key wins over Washington State, Gonzaga, Colorado and Arkansas – the first time Texas Tech defeated the Razorbacks in Fayetteville in the program’s history. In addition, Gerlich coached two All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selections in Shavers and Maupin, who both scored more than 500 points in the season.
In the 2023-24 season, Gerlich's fourth year as head coach of the Lady Raiders, she led the team to back-to-back winning seasons after recording 17 victories on the year. Texas Tech had one of its best starts in program history – winning its first 11 games of the season. The Lady Raiders opened Big 12 play with a victory at Houston (79-71) then welcomed the Kansas Jayhawks to the United Supermarkets Arena for a 73-64 win. The Lady Raiders posted a ranked victory against No. 24 Iowa State, 71-63, a team who would make it to the Big 12 Tournament finals and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
In the conference tournament, Tech pushed past Houston in dominant fashion – the team’s third victory over the Cougars in the season – to make it to the next round of the championships for the first time since 2018-19. In addition, Gerlich coached two sophomore standouts in Bailey Maupin and Jasmine Shavers, who were both named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention team, to the 2023-24 Dave Campbell's All-Texas Women's Basketball Awards list and to the CSC Academic All-District Team. Shavers and Maupin led the Lady Raiders offensively as they totaled 15.4 and 14.1 points per game, respectively.
Building off the successes from the previous season, Gerlich’s squad took the next step in 2022-23, earning a bid to the 2023 WNIT field where they advanced to the third round. In the 67-54 victory over UTEP, Gerlich and the Lady Raiders won the programs first postseason victory since 2011-12. In the wire-to-wire victory over UTEP, Lady Raider Nation showed out as Tech recorded the highest opening round attendance (4159) in the opening round of the WNIT. The Lady Raiders ultimately defeated SMU four days later to move to the Third Round of the WNIT where they dropped a nailbiter at SEC foe Arkansas (71-66). Starting with a 69-49 victory over Texas A&M- Corpus Christi, Gerlich led the Lady Raiders to a strong 12-1 non-conference record that included an overtime victory over eventual NCAA Tournament participants Colorado (86-85, OT) and Middle Tennessee (72-67). With the victory over Colorado and at Louisiana, the Lady Raiders earned a share of the 2022 Preseason WNIT crown. In Big 12 Conference play, the Lady Raiders also took a step forward, winning six conference games for just the second time in a decade. The Lady Raiders six Big 12 victories included the program's first ever regular season sweep of Kansas State as well as singular victories against both No. 25 Texas (68-64) and West Virginia (69-68, 2OT). The victory over Texas marked the third straight year that a Gerlich led squad has downed the Longhorns, the first time since 2007-09 that Tech had defeated UT in three consecutive seasons, while the win over West Virginia was the first by a Lady Raider squad since the 2016-17 season and just the sixth all-time win over the Mountaineers.
During the 2022-23 season, the Lady Raiders had a knack for dramatic come-from-behind victories, as Tech erased three double-digit deficits against Colorado (16; Nov. 16), Middle Tennessee State (12; Nov. 25) and West Virginia (17; Feb. 22). Gerlich also continued to show an ability to develop talent, as guards Bailey Maupin and Jasmine Shavers were each named Big 12 Freshman of the Week twice and guard Bre’Amber Scott was named Big 12 Player of the Week. On Jan. 16, Scott and Shavers swept both weekly Big 12 awards, becoming the first duo since Plenette Pierson and Erin Grant to sweep the weekly awards. In addition to the five combined weekly honors, Tech had a First Team All-Big 12 selection for the third straight season as guard Bre’Amber Scott recorded 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game during the 2022-23 season en route to her first career all-conference honors while freshman Bailey Maupin (10.2 points, 2.8 rebounds) was selected to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. The duo of Maupin and Scott erupted for 45 combined double-figure games and a total of 14 games with at least 20 points. Tech’s success was not just limited to on the court as guard Bryn Gerlich was tabbed the Big 12s Women’s Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2022-23. In the end, Tech nearly doubled its win total in 2022-23 (11-to-20), recorded nearly five more points per game and shot over two percent better from the field. The Lady Raiders finished inside the top-15 in the country in free throws made per game (15.5) and were 33rd in the country in free throws attempted per game (20.5)
The 2021-22 season was another step in the right direction for the Lady Raiders, as Gerlich’s squad defeated in-state rival Texas, 74-61. By downing the Longhorns in Austin, Gerlich became the first coach to win in Austin since the 2012-13 season and also recorded the Lady Raiders first victory over a top-10 foe since the 2010-11 season when the Lady Raiders downed No. 1 Baylor.
The win over Texas was the first of three AP Top-25 wins Gerlich’s squad would record during the 2021-22 season, as the Lady Raiders also defeated No. 25 Kansas State 64-45 on Jan. 15 before downing No. 15 Oklahoma (97-87) on Feb. 16.
In addition to the three top-25 wins, Gerlich also helped senior Vivian Gray earn All-America status and Big 12 First Team status in 2021-22. Gray became just the fourth player in Big 12 Conference history to be named a first team selection four times. The forward joined a list that included Courtney Paris (2006-09), Brittney Griner (2009-13) and Oddsey Simms (2010-14).
Despite losing eight games by fewer than 10 points in conference play, the Lady Raiders showed tangible growth in year two, defeating Texas and Oklahoma in the same season for the first time since the 2001-02 season. In fact, by beating both OU and Texas on the road, the Lady Raiders recorded the first road sweep of OU and UT in the same season in program history.
During her first season back in West Texas in 2020-21, Gerlich took the first steps toward returning Lady Raider Basketball to the elite of women’s college basketball.
Gerlich coached the Lady Raiders to the program’s first win over in-state rival Texas since 2013. The Longhorns were ranked No. 20, and the victory also went down as the first top-25 win under a first-year Lady Raider head coach since 2007. Gerlich’s squad knocked off a pair of Big 12 opponents in overtime in 2020-21 as well, which marked the first time ever that the Lady Raiders have knocked off two conference opponents in overtime in the same season.
In her first season, Gerlich oversaw the development of Lady Raider standout Vivian Gray, who became the program’s 27th All-American when she was named a WBCA Coaches All-America selection. Gray had a career season in which she averaged 19.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals, while ranking in the top 20 of the Big 12 in scoring (No. 4), blocks (No. 4), minutes (No. 4), rebounding (No. 8), FG% (No. 10), FT% (No. 11), A/TO ratio (No. 16), steals (No. 16) and assists (No. 17). Gray was named a First Team All-Big 12 selection in her first season playing under Gerlich, and was a top-10 finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award, given to the top small forward in the nation.
SUCCESS AT EVERY STOP
Having experienced success at each stop of her coaching career thus far, Gerlich spent the the seven seasons prior to her arrival in Lubbock at UT-Arlington. She stands as the program’s all-time winningest coach at UTA, accumulating 121 of her 289 career wins as a collegiate head coach to that point at the helm of the Lady Mav program.
During her 15-year head coaching career which also includes seven seasons at West Texas A&M, Gerlich has racked up two TABC Coach of the Year awards, three conference coach of the year honors, four conference titles, five NCAA Tournament wins and eight 20-win seasons. She has overseen eight WBCA All-Americans, six conference players of the year, two All-Big 12 First Team selections, 10 All-Sun Belt selections and 17 Lone Star Conference All-Conference selections.
LEADING THE LADY MAVS
Gerlich led the Lady Mavs to three 20-win seasons, including a 21-11 overall record with a 14-4 mark in Sun Belt games last season, leading to a third-place finish in the Sun Belt conference race. In the nonconference season, Gerlich’s Lady Mavs tallied the program’s first victory over a Power 5 school since 2006 with a 57-53 road win over Tech’s Big 12 foe Kansas State. In the regular season finale at ULM, the Lady Mavs defeated the Warhawks, 74-67, to give Gerlich her 120th victory as UTA head coach and make her the all-time winningest coach in program history
Gerlich was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2019, following a successful campaign in which her Lady Mavs tied the program record for single-season wins, and picked up the program’s first postseason win as well as UTA’s first Sun Belt women’s basketball regular season title. The team earned an automatic bid to the WNIT, marking the sixth postseason tournament appearance and fourth postseason WNIT appearance in program history.
In 2016-17, Gerlich guided UTA to a 22-9 overall record, a second-place finish in the Sun Belt and a berth to the postseason as UTA went to the WNIT and participated in the postseason for the first time since 2009.
From her first season into the second, the Lady Mavs increased their win total by 13 from 4 wins to 17 wins, the second largest turnaround in Division I between the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.
Among the many standouts that Gerlich coached at UTA was four-time All-Sun Belt selection Cierra Johnson, who was named Sun Belt Co-Player of the Year in 2019 and was a two-time Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year pick (2017, 2019). She also coached 2015 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Rebekah VanDijk and 2020 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Marie Benson.
NO STRANGER TO WEST TEXAS
Gerlich’s success in the head coaching ranks hasn’t been exclusive to her time in Arlington, as she led West Texas A&M to stellar 168-53 overall record, four consecutive South Division Lone Star Conference titles and three consecutive Lone Star Conference championships in seven seasons leading the Lady Buffs.
The quickest coach in WTAMU history to reach each of the 100, 125 and 150-win benchmarks, Gerlich led the Lady Buffs to NCAA Tournament appearances in five of her seven years leading the program, including the team’s first Elite Eight appearance in 11 years in 2009. She was named the Lone Star Conference South Division Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2010.
COACHING AT HER ALMA MATER
Prior to taking her first head coaching position, Gerlich spent three years in Lubbock as an assistant coach under Hall of Fame coach Marsha Sharp at her alma mater. She helped guide the Lady Raiders to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a 24-8 overall record, a 12-4 Big 12 mark and a spot in the Sweet 16 during the 2004-05 campaign. Gerlich was heavily involved in almost every aspect of the program as she instructed preseason individual workouts, coached the perimeter players, reviewed film and handled game day preparations for the Lady Raiders. Throughout the school year she also assisted in the academic progress of the Lady Raider student-athletes.
OTHER COACHING EXPERIENCE
Before returning to coaching with Texas Tech during the 2003-2004 season, Gerlich took some time off to start a family; she spent the 2002-2003 year teaching math at Hereford High School, where her husband, Bryan, was the athletic director and head football coach.
After graduating from Texas Tech in 1993 with a degree in exercise and sports science, Gerlich got her first coaching job at Lockney High School as the head girls' basketball coach.
From 1994-1997, she was the head girls' coach at Taft High School in San Antonio, Texas. Gerlich entered the college ranks as an assistant at UTSA from 1997-1999. Gerlich followed her position at UTSA by accepting the head coaching job at San Antonio Reagan High School from 1999-2000. In the inaugural season at Reagan, the team posted a 20-5 mark.
LEGENDARY AS A PLAYER
Lady Raider fans are more than familiar with Gerlich’s long resume as a player at Texas Tech. Aside from helping guide Tech to the 1993 NCAA title, she racked up three All-Southwest Conference accolades, and was named to the 1993 SWC All-Tournament team, the 1993 West Regional All-Tournament team and the 1993 Final Four All-Tournament team.
Named to the All-Time SWC team and one of the Panhandles Top 100 Athletes of the Century, Gerlich was named an honorable mention All-American in 1993. She ranks third in school history in career assists (553), third in career three-point field goals (220), fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.417) and 13th in career scoring (1,324). Her No. 21 was retired by the Lady Raider program on Dec. 5, 1993, making her one of only three former Lady Raiders to have their numbers retired.
Born in Spearman, Texas, Gerlich was a three time all-state selection in basketball while attending Sudan (Texas) High and Spearman High School. She was a member of the 1987 state championship basketball team at Sudan HS, where her father, Jim Kirkland, was her high school basketball coach. In 1988, she helped Spearman HS claim the cross country state championship and was a four time all-state selection in cross country. She placed third at the 1989 state track meet in the 1600 meters.
Gerlich is married to Bryan Gerlich, who is also a Texas Tech graduate and a former linebacker on the Red Raider football team (1987-1992). The couple has a daughter, Bryn, and a son, Brayden.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING...
Jeff Walz – Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Louisville
“Krista is a great hire for Texas Tech women’s basketball. Not only does she do a great job teaching the game and getting the most out of her players, she has a personal stake in Lady Raider Basketball. She is a proven winner as a player and has proven herself as a coach. I’m excited to see where she takes Texas Tech women’s basketball.”
Brian Agler – Former Head Coach, Dallas Wings
“Krista is a great coach and person. She is part of the Marsha Sharp legacy and their 1993 championship team. Krista did an exceptional job at UTA and will carry all her positive traits back to Lubbock.”
Chris Ogden – Former Head Men's Basketball Coach, UT-Arlington
“Coach Gerlich is built for Texas Tech. She loves west Texas and the people that make it so great. Both her coaching style and ability to build strong relationships within her locker room as well as the community will bode well for her. We are going to miss having her around but know she will do great things.”
Zenarae Antoine – Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Texas State
“Krista Gerlich is an outstanding hire for Texas Tech and it goes well beyond her impressive paper resume. She coaches with passion, integrity and pride in the programs that she has built. I have appreciated our “on court battles” in the Sunbelt Conference and I look forward to her continued success in the Big 12.”
Devin Griffin – Former UTA player
“Coach Gerlich is a phenomenal coach and an even better person she has been a mentor a friend and family to me. She is exactly what Lady Raider basketball needs and what young women can look up to for the future. I have so much respect for her and am extremely proud of her and what this means for Lubbock. I can’t wait to bring my team out to support Coach Gerlich and Lady Raider Nation!“
Rebekah VanDijk – Former UTA player
“I am so excited for Coach Gerlich and the opportunity to coach at her alma mater. She is such a great addition to Texas Tech. Coach Gerlich is not only an amazing basketball coach, she is an amazing woman. You’re not going to find someone more passionate about the game of basketball and helping her players become great women. She has made a name for herself as both a player and a coach. I was so blessed to have her as my coach at UTA and am so excited to see her do amazing things at Texas Tech.”
Emily (Brister) Cooper - Former WTAMU player
"This is a well-deserved position for Coach Gerlich. Krista is not only a phenomenal coach and motivator, but she is an amazing role model for the young women that she coaches. She is very passionate and competitive, while still being relatable and understanding toward her athletes. I’m overjoyed to see her back coaching in the Texas Panhandle and I can’t wait to see how she grows the Lady Raider program!"
THE GERLICH FILE
Experience
Texas Tech (2020-present) - Head Coach
UT Arlington (2013-2020) – Head Coach
West Texas A&M (2006-2013) – Head Coach
Texas Tech (2003-06) – Assistant Coach
Reagan HS (1999-2000) – Head Girls’ Coach
UTSA (1997-99) – Assistant Coach
Taft HS (1994-97) – Head Girls’ Coach
Lockney HS (1993-94) – Head Girls’ Coach
Hall Of Fame
Inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame in fall 2014
Inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2003
NCAA Playing Career
Texas Tech (1989-93)
*Jersey (#21) retired by Texas Tech on Dec. 5, 1993
Education
Texas A&M-Kingsville: Master's in Educational Administration (1997)
Texas Tech: Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sports Science (1993)
Personal
Husband: Bryan
Children: Bryn, Brayden
Jalynn Bristow ESPN Interview
Sunday, August 10
USA vs. China (Finals) Highlights
Friday, July 25
Coach Gerlich Interview at World University Games
Thursday, July 24
USA vs. Hungary (Semifinals) Highlights
Wednesday, July 23
