Oct. 20, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF head women's basketball coach Joi Williams made two new additions to her staff since the end of the 2007-08 campaign, hiring assistant coaches Ronald Hughey and Courtney Locke. Hughey, who joined the staff on May 5, 2008, is not only a vital assistant on the court, but also off the court serving as the program's recruiting coordinator.
Before accepting the job at UCF, Hughey worked in 2007-08 as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina. Hughey also spent three seasons as the recruiting coordinator at South Carolina State. The UCF Athletic Communications office recently had a chance to sit down and learn more about the coach, his recruiting philosophy and his move to UCF.
Q: What most attracted you to the opportunity at UCF?
A: "The opportunity to work with Coach Williams. The first time I talked to her I felt like I could work with her for 10 years. I had some other opportunities in the Big East, but this was the most attractive job because of the facilities and Coach Williams' integrity and honesty. You meet a lot of people in this business that are fake so when you meet someone you can trust you want to latch a hold."
Q: What would you describe as your coaching philosophy?
A: "My coaching philosophy is easy - in your face defense, pressure, intensity. The Jerry Tarkanian days, the Nolan Richardson Arkansas days. Not to the point of being nasty, but the up-tempo, in your face, confident basketball."
Q: What is the most important part of the recruiting process?
A: "The most important part is the relationships. Like anything you do in life, you have to establish those relationships. We try to stress to the kids to go out and visit people, go out and visit schools and meet people. Like going to the prom, you are not going to go out with the first person that asks you. You want to shop around, meet people, talk on the phone and then make a decision. We try to use the same philosophy in recruiting, we want to be here for you, during tough times, bad times, the times you want to shut down and the times you are happy."
Q: What is the most important part of the actual on-campus recruiting visit in your mind?
A: "The opportunity to show you who we are. A lot of people want to show off facilities, show off the campus and show off football. That is the improper way, you want to show off the people. When you come here, whether we have practice, a game or it is the offseason, you are going to get the same person every time."
Q: What do you hope to bring this season?
A: "The fire and the energy. I want to bring that `I can't die' attitude. It is never enough we always say. If you come in and make 10 shots today I expect 12 shots tomorrow. By the end of the year I will expect 1,000. There is never a day you can give me enough, because I am always going to give you more. I am going to come in every day and lay down."
Q: What have you learned about Coach Williams and the staff since starting your job?
A: "Greg [Brown] is great and has been tremendous to observe. I have learned a lot from him by watching his preparation, and it has helped me to strive to be more organized. Courtney [Locke] is that person that will be in the fight with me every day. If I have to work until nine, she will work until nine to help me get it done. If I have to be here at six, she will come in at six and vice versa. With Coach Williams it is just a great opportunity. Everyone would want to coach for her because she gives you the opportunity for growth. I have been under some people where you just stand around until they let you do something. She gives you the opportunity to grow, and then she will give you feedback. "
Q: What are you most excited about this upcoming season?
A: "The thing I am most excited about is having the opportunity to show growth in defense. With my energy I expect the defensive effort to be 10 times better this season. On my end, I am going to give them energy every single day, and I want to see that growth on the defense end so it translates into steals and easy baskets."
The first game for UCF is less than one month away when the Knights travel to Boulder, Colo., for a meeting with Colorado on Nov. 16.
Fans will get their first look at UCF on Nov. 8 when the Knights host DT3 in an exhibition game at the new UCF Arena. The regular season home opener will take place on Friday, Nov. 21, when Florida A&M visits for a 7 p.m. contest. The following day, Florida Atlantic visits for a 5 p.m. tip-off.
Season tickets for the UCF women's basketball program are currently on sale through the UCF ticket sales office. For more information about the arena's premium seating options, including club seats, group discounts, courtside tables and suites, contact the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000 or visit the women's basketball ticket page at UCFAthletics.cstv.com/tickets/w-baskbl-tickets.html.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.