Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Begin Practice, Welcome WNBA Champion Head Coach to Anderson Arena
October 06, 2010 | Women's Basketball
The Bowling Green State University women's basketball team began official practices for the 2010-11 season this week. On Wednesday (Oct. 6), the Falcons had a visitor at practice, as Brian Agler, head coach of the WNBA Champion Seattle Storm, was in attendance.
Agler and the Storm won the WNBA title less than three weeks ago, downing Atlanta in the championship series. On Wednesday, Agler was in Northwest Ohio to view the Falcons' practice and trade coaching secrets with BGSU head coach Curt Miller.
“It was an honor to have Coach Agler visit our practice,” said Miller, who is entering his 10th season at the Falcon helm. “I always look forward to spending time with him, talking X's and O's and coaching strategy. Seattle has one of the finest pick-and-roll games in the WNBA, with Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird. They are the best of the best, and I am excited to have the chance to pick his brain about the pick-and-roll offense.
“Additionally, it was great of Coach Agler to take a few moments and talk to the team after practice. Any time you get a chance to talk with someone who has reached the pinnacle of his profession, it is truly an honor. I look forward to hearing his critique of our team.”
Agler, a graduate of Wittenberg University, has coached collegiately at UMKC and Kansas State, among other schools, and also has guided several teams at the professional level. He led the Columbus Quest to American Basketball League titles in both 1997 and 1998, and had an 82-22 record there. He also was the first coach of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx.
“Last year, I asked Curt to spend some time with me and my staff,” said Agler, who had a .648 winning percentage as a collegiate head coach. “We are always looking to try to get better. Our league is so competitive that, if you are not always striving to get better, you can fall behind quickly.
“Curt was very hospitable, making time to speak with us at the Final Four. With players like Lauren and Sue on our team, we wanted to incorporate more pick and roll. We did adapt it and we did improve offensively, and things worked out for us this season. I am back here (meeting with Miller) so that I can keep getting better on a daily basis.”
The Falcons started practice on Monday (Oct. 4), taking advantage of a new NCAA rule that allows women's basketball teams to begin practicing 40 days before their first game.
BGSU hosts Findlay in an exhibition on Wednesday, Nov. 3, before opening the regular season on the road against Evansville on Friday, Nov. 12. The home opener is set for Monday, Nov. 15, vs. Creighton. The Creighton game is part of a basketball doubleheader with the men's team, as both Falcon teams begin the final season in Anderson Arena.
