Texas A&M coach Gary Blair announced Thursday that he intends to retire after the 2021-22 season.
“I always evaluate myself on: Am I giving everything I have, is my health good and am I still able to make an impact on young lives?” Blair said in a statement. “I am fortunate that my health is still great, and I believe that I can still make an impact on our student-athletes and that I can give all my effort every single day.
“However, I know that it is time for this to be my final season.”
pic.twitter.com/z7jRNfYPlU— Gary Blair (@CoachGaryBlair) October 28, 2021
pic.twitter.com/z7jRNfYPlU
Blair, 76, took over as head coach of the Aggies in 2003. He led the team to an NCAA championship in 2011 and has won five SEC titles during his tenure, including the 2021 conference regular season championship.
Throughout his 36-year career, Blair has amassed 838 victories, 12th most in Division I history and fourth among active coaches. At Texas A&M, he has won a program-record 430 games and is nine victories away from becoming the winningest basketball coach in school history.
“Coach Blair is a legend in women’s basketball and college sports,” Texas A&M director of athletics Ross Bjork said. “He has made a transformational impact on Texas A&M University, our athletics program and all of college basketball.
“His decades-long championship-caliber coaching acumen and recruiting ability has transcended many generations of women’s basketball players and his impact will be felt long after he hangs up the whistle.”