The Amy Eagan Podcast

Gary (00:02)
Welcome to the Amy Egan podcast where each week, Lyndon Wood University head women's basketball coach Amy Egan talks women's basketball and much, much more. We'll talk about past games, future games, players, the Ohio Valley Conference, the fabulous state of women's basketball in America, and many, many other interesting topics. Amy, first season in the books. Here's how I have to start this. Looking back a year ago right now, March of 2023,

Amy Eagan (00:07)
And that's today. I hope you enjoyed this video. If And if you're please subscribe. And you're new please click the icon. And And if And if And if And if And

Gary (00:29)
You were coaching a ridiculously strong D2 team down at Drury and recruiting a new class to join you there. And most of those players came with you to Indenwood. What can you say about that transition from both your perspective and those players?

Amy Eagan (00:32)
Yeah.

Yeah, you know, looking back on a year from now, it's amazing how fast this year went first and foremost. You know, I just can't believe that we've been through one whole year of building this program. And, you know, I think it is a little bit weird yesterday and today being, you know, sitting here and not playing in March Madness. I haven't been in that situation a long, long time. So it's been a little bit weird and a little bit sad in regards to that. But.

you know, reflecting and having an opportunity to actually, you know, sit back and reflect a little bit and think a little bit about the past year. You know, it's been a whirlwind, you know, a lot of ups and a lot of downs. And I knew it would be like that. You know, I've been through this process before building a program. So I knew it would be a lot like that. But, you know, I'm really, really proud of everything that we were able to do this year. Really, really thankful and proud of our kids.

and how they really just took on this challenge this year and succeeded with it. And I do think the kids that we brought with us from jury that we had signed there were a really big part of that. And I just love them and I'm just really, really thankful for everything that they did for us this year because whether you're a freshman in college, a sophomore in college, a junior, senior, whatever it is, and you're talking about building a program or sustaining a program, because I've done both.

being a college athlete is really hard. You have so many things that you're managing and we asked this young group to really do some things that were very, very hard this year. And for freshmen to step into that role and embrace that role and that challenge of really forming the base here and the culture here and then to succeed in a lot of areas. I mean, seven wins overall and five in conference.

You know, and you look at, yeah, I was looking at, you know, the two seed this year is Little Rock and we split with them. The three seeds UT Martin, and we split with them. You even look at Southern Indiana, who's the one seed who I think is really, really good. I mean, at our place, we had them on the ropes and almost won that game and then didn't have a great showing at their place. But I think we did some really great things as a program. And I think those kids that came with us.

from Drury that really were willing to take on that challenge were a big part of it. But also the other kids that we brought in and then the kids that stayed from last year.

Gary (03:16)
And you talk, we've talked many times during the podcast this season about how young the squad was, maybe one of the youngest in the country. I don't know if you know that or not. And yet when I look back at all the games, I just did kind of a back of the envelope estimate. It looked like Linda Wood was short, maybe five baskets, six backs gets on average per game. Now as a coach, do you, do you think like that when preparing for the next year? I only need to find 10 more points, 15 more points or allow 10 or 15 months. How does that work in your mind?

Amy Eagan (03:21)
Yeah.

Yeah, you know, I haven't thought about that, those type of things yet. Just because it is a little bit like when you're done, you know, you write a little bit of an emotional and roller coaster with stuff. So I've kind of been processing some of that right now, but we'll eventually, you know, sit and look at that and what we need to do better, what we can do better offensively, what we can do better defensively. I mean, you know, this first year we really just kind of went out and said, hey, this is what we did in the past.

Let's see how it transitions to this level and to the OVC. And then after this year, we'll make some changes offensively and defensively to probably fit, I think, you know, our kids and the OVC a little bit better in the style of plays and those kinds of things. So there'll be some changes that we will make. I think the base of who we are will always be there. But there will be some changes offensively and defensively that we will make during this transition. You know, we lost seven games in conference by six or less points. So.

You know, hit that pretty much on the head. And that is a little bit, I don't want to say disappointing, but you know, you just, you're just mad about that. But at the same time, it's also really encouraging, you know, having this group and the core of this group returning next year. So I think it's a little bit of both, but you know, the challenge now is with this group, having that experience, making sure that we,

put them in positions to win those games, offensively and defensively, and really take that next step with them.

Gary (05:20)
So you made the full Ohio Valley Conference journey now to all facilities. You've seen all the teams play twice. You play each team twice, right? And you'll be seen.

Amy Eagan (05:28)
No, we did not play Tennessee Tech or Moorhead twice this year. So yeah. Yes.

Gary (05:32)
But for the most part, you've seen all the teams at least once. And now that you've been through the whole year, give us your impression of the OVC, where it is today and where it might go in the next couple of years.

Amy Eagan (05:44)
Yeah, I mean, I think it was a lot of fun to play in the OVC. You know, we had a lot to figure out this year because we hadn't faced, you know, we had new styles of play and new exes, new O's and finding new ways and, you know, all that kind of stuff where, you know, I was in the GLVC for over 10 years. So for me, I knew those coaches that had been there for a long time, you know, almost like the back of my hand, I could just say, hey, this is what they're going to do, you know, type of stuff.

So it was a challenge with that. You know, I think the OVC is a great brand of basketball. I thought, you know, it was different than GLVC where I think you see a lot of the same styles in the GLVC. You saw a lot of different styles in the OVC. You know, Southern Indiana's two post players, you know, pounding it inside. Then you have, you know, Tennessee State who's pressing and...

flying around and so there's a lot of different, I feel like styles will play in the OVC and that's challenging on an everyday night. But it's also makes it fun because that's where as a coach you really have to grow and find ways to put your kids in a position to be able to handle both sides of the ball and those against those teams. So it was a great year. I think, I mean, there's a lot of, you have a lot of really good talent in the OVC.

I mean, some of the freshmen in the OVC even, you know, that we faced this year, wow. And I think that's even bright for where the OVC is headed in regards to some competition in that. So I'm excited about it and, you know, we'll reprocess all that and head into year two with, I feel like, a more comfortable feel as a staff and a better idea of what we're going to see day in and day out.

Gary (07:35)
And we've talked, Coach, about the new, the fabulous new practice gym facility that should be ready by about now, I think. But I don't know that we've talked in details. I know this season is coming to an end, you're processing a lot of stuff. But how do you plan on leveraging that new, really nice -looking gym for, to help your players build new skills and new moves and new shots, all that individual kind of stuff that comes into play?

Amy Eagan (07:59)
Yeah, I mean it is, it's going to be really helpful, you know, in regards to all of that, you know. I think, you know, we're finishing the wall or starting the wall around it. It's like three -fourths enclosed and we're going to build the rest of the wall here in March and then we'll pretty much be ready to go from there. And, you know, one of the things and I think we've been really

you know, upfront and honest with on the podcast about as we struggle with this year was being able for our kids to get in there and get extra shots up because of how busy our gym was from early morning to late night with other teams and fitting everybody's practice schedule in there. So I'm really excited that, you know, we're going to have this postseason in this summer, the availability of being in being able to do some individual skill work with our kids and.

really help grow their game and help take their game to that next level. And I enjoy that. I think that's kind of the fun part about it with athletics is you watch them throughout the year and you're like, man, if we can get them to do this and this and this, and well, now it's time to implement those things with them and really help them grow, which helps your program overall. So it's going to help with that so much. When we get to season this next year, they'll be able to get in there.

during the day and get extra shots up between classes and that where they didn't really have the ability to do that this past year. So I think it's going to make a lot of difference. We struggled with making baskets this year and not that they couldn't go to Evans across the way where there was three courts, but it's not the same as having a practice facility with a wood floor and some baskets that are kind of identical to what you play on and those kinds of things with it. So.

I think it's going to be a great asset to us. In our program, I also think it's going to be a great asset to recruiting. I don't know a kid that doesn't want to get better throughout their college career and have the ability to be in the gym. I mean, there's a lot of kids that live in the gym. They're trying to perfect their craft and they have to be able to have a place to do that. And so I think it's going to be really, really big in the recruiting process for us as well. I think it's pretty cool that it's...

It's really close to our locker room. It's really close to the main gym. So, you know, the accessibility of it is just perfect. And it's going to be something that's going to be well used.

Gary (10:29)
Good, good. You talked about recruiting. Let me give you a scenario here, coach. Say I have a daughter who wants to play D1 basketball. This is a fictional scenario, by the way. I have a daughter who wants to play D1 basketball and she has the obvious skills to be a significant contributor to any team. Why would that talented female woman basketball player want to talk to you? Why should Lyndon Wood be part of her thought process?

Amy Eagan (10:40)
Thank you.

Yeah, well, you know, being here a year now, you know, and I said actually this to Jordan the other day. I mean, I just love this place, you know, and I think, you know, when you talk about recruiting and you talk about recruiting kids, you know, it's not just about basketball, you know, it's about the people that you're going to interact with every day on campus. It's about the professors. It's about the overall feel of the university.

And I think it's just a great, great place for athletes to be because they have so much support from faculty and staff across campus. You are surrounded, you know, there's a lot of athletes on campus and I tell kids in this recruiting process, you know, I think one of the neat things is that, you know, every day when you're sitting in class, a lot of times you have other athletes next to you and when you have...

like -minded people that have to eat at a certain time, have to sleep at a certain time, have to study at a certain time. I do think that's pretty neat. And they support each other. And if you look at our fan base at games and you look at our student section at games, it's probably some of the biggest in the Midwest because they just support each other on a different level, being a little bit smaller campus, but with a lot of athletes. So I'm going to go far beyond just our program.

when we're talking about coming and playing for us because I think it is the overall experience that makes it for every kid. You look at our program, I think, I kind of smile because I think we're on the rise. We're doing something special here. Not that it's not hard, it's hard. And there's probably a lot more harder days building a program than there are easy days with it. But I think there's a lot of benefits that kids can

using their in their real life out of gaining those situations and you know, I think we have really really great people on our program both kids staff and very knowledgeable staff So I think there's a lot of reasons when you when you look at even our program that Kids should and would want to play in it You know, I think the overall experience is the most important thing and every kid I think

I tell every kid this when I recruit them, the most important thing is you find the right fit for you and you've got to figure out what you want out of your four years. Because our freshmen even said the other day, I can't believe a year's over with already, right? So you got to figure out what you want and what you want that to look like when it's all said and done. And I think if you do those things and you do your research, you'll find the right fit. And that is the most important thing. We may not be the perfect fit for everyone or the right fit for some kids.

But I do think we have a ton of stuff to offer Linda Wood overall and in our program.

Gary (13:49)
So moving on to a slightly different topic, Lindedwood University has our annual black and gold fundraising event in about a month or so. And I understand from a conversation earlier this morning, it's almost sold out already a month in advance. Amy, what does that tell you when you see them putting those kinds of events together in what appears to be a very successful event coming up? What does that tell you about the university's commitment to its student athletes?

Amy Eagan (13:59)
Mm -hmm.

Oh, absolutely. I mean, you know, I think when you look at even if I look at even my my time, you know, taking on the job at Linda Wood to now the amount of interest and from the community from boosters from, you know, recruits and parents, the excitement that surrounds.

Uh, what Linda Wynn is doing and their commitment to, to being great in athletics is definitely there. And I think it's getting everybody else excited, you know? Um, and I think that's, that's very special and, um, it's continuing to grow. You can tell, uh, you know, you talk about, like you said, the black and gold and I'm excited for that event. I think it's going to be a really cool event. Um, and, uh, you're going to, you know, you're just going to see a lot of those things continue to grow. So.

I'll be in attendance there. I know a lot of the coaches will. I know being almost sold out, I know we'll probably oversell it because it's such an exciting time for Lindenwood and for what's happening in our athletic department.

Gary (15:20)
Cool, cool. Now, let's add a little levity, because we like to do that at least once or twice each week. And you'll recall that we played some pickleball back in January. It was at an event.

Amy Eagan (15:26)
Hehehe.

I won, by the way, I remember we did play, well, we played like doubles, but I, I mean, my, me and my partner won. I think so.

Gary (15:41)
You know, I think podcasting has a rule, there can be no trash talking during the course. So I, you know, what are the odds that, you know, maybe sometime in these warm weather months, you and I can actually get on a pickleball court, maybe the ones there in Linwood, you know, less than a hundred feet from where your office is. You know, I'm playing an occasional pickleball game or two.

Amy Eagan (15:45)
Okay.

Yeah.

You know, I feel like after going through a year, you know, I could probably take an afternoon or evening and be able to do that now. You know, there's really no excuse for being right there. I know we were really, really busy with stuff this past year and seemed like something always came up, but I don't think we'll be able to do that this year.

Gary (16:21)
We know this is a recorded event and I have the technology skills to capture that last clip and send it to you over and over and over again. So you're on the record for that. And let's wrap it up with this. First Division One season is over, coach. Congratulations. I was at almost every game. Fab, fun to watch. Not every game was fun to watch, but most of them were fun to watch.

Amy Eagan (16:25)
I'm not gonna do that.

Gary (16:46)
And it appears, it's not appears, it's obvious that women's college basketball is exploding in popularity. We can attribute the reasons why another day. Tell us what you think based on all that's going around. Tell us what you think Lindenwood women's basketball is this time next year when you and I having this podcast a year from now.

Amy Eagan (17:06)
Yeah, you know, it's so hard with building. You know, and I told, you know, my staff this too, the other day, I really feel like when you're looking at building, you know, your program, the first year is, there's really not a lot of expectations from other people, right? And I often find that your second year is probably your hardest year, second, third year, because, you know, people expect,

that things are going to be better next year in that. And it's always hard because you never know what can happen. You saw this year, even when Gracie Kelsey got hurt, I think that hurt us a lot. So you talk about injuries and those kinds of things. There's so many things that can impact your year with stuff. But one of the things I really do expect.

and that we are going to work really, really hard towards. And I know our players are going to work hard towards this to be in March Madness next year in regards to playing in the postseason conference tournament and those kinds of things. So that's what we expect is to take that next step. Sometimes that doesn't always show in the number of wins. I think we're going to be really, really fortunate to have.

A lot of the kids that laid that groundwork this year have more experience to return next year. So I do expect us to put ourselves in a position next year to do those things.

Gary (18:38)
Cool. And for our listeners, and there are hundreds who listen to this podcast, we'll be going on every two week schedule now. And what I'll do is I will post the schedule of those events on the actual landing page for the podcast. Coach Egan, it's always a pleasure to have a conversation with you. We've come to the end of this podcast episode with Lindenwood University Head Women's Basketball Coach Amy Egan. Amy, best of always, and we'll talk again soon.

Amy Eagan (19:00)
Thanks, Gary.