Q&A - Herndon's Gary Hall
1. How long have you been coaching basketball? How long have you been coaching for the Hornets? How many wins do you have as a Herndon coach?
I have been coaching basketball for Herndon for the past 18 seasons. I was the assistant head coach at South Lakes for four years before I came to Herndon. I have 299 wins, as of Dec. 4, 2006. Dec. 15 is the next game, which could possibly be my 300th career win at Herndon
2. What is your favorite part of being the head coach of a basketball team?
My favorite part of being the head coach is the relationship that I develop with the players on the team. We go out to dinner during the summer and we talk over the phone. The relationship is great.
3. How much pressure do you feel being the head coach and everyone wanting the team to do very well?
As a young coach, I felt a lot of pressure to win because your self-worth is tied into wins and losses. I went to Herndon and graduated from here and I have so much pride in the team. No one wants the team to do as well as I do. Right now in my career, there isn't as much pressure as there was when I was first coaching.
4. How do you think the team will do this year? Ending record? Districts?
I'm not sure how the team will do this year. We want each player to grow over the course of the year and that is our success, not exactly winning. Of course we would like to win championships and that is our goal, but improvement is what we look for each year.
5. Do you have any other hobbies? If so, what are they?
I have twin daughters, who are freshmen that go to Briar Woods in Ashburn. I love the go to their games and any kind of sporting event. I am an avid reader. I also like to run and workout.
6. Is basketball you favorite sport? If not, what is?
Yes, basketball is my favorite sport. I like to mainly watch high school and college basketball. I don't really like NBA basketball. I love the rivalries that schools bring to the court. It is the pour love of the game that the high school and college players have.
7. What is the hardest part of being a head coach for a high school team?
The hardest part of being a head coach for the team is the off-court things. The paperwork, managing the team and the things that take you away from the game is what is hard about being the head coach.
8. What are your goals for the team the rest of the season?
My expectations and goals for the season are the same just as they are every year. I want the team to get better as a whole. We want to be the position to win championships by the end of the season
10. Who has been the best player for the varsity team this year and why?
Any player this year could be the best player on the team. The team is very well balanced. No one player will lead the team in points every game. Everyone has their strong points on the team. Danny Jones is the overall best player. Matt Seeger is the best shooter.
11. Who has been a surprise player for the varsity team this year and why?
CJ Glenn is probably going to be the surprise player this year. He didn't get much time last season. He played behind [McDonald's All-American] Scottie Reynolds, Victor Robinson and Chase Miller. He is much more prepared this year and he will have a great season.
12. What is one of the aspects that the team needs the work on as a whole to be better next season?
The players need to work on rebounding the ball and handling it. There is no one person on the team this year who will dominate the opponents like Scottie did last season. Each possession is very important and the players will need to be more conscience of handling the ball
13. If you were not a head coach for the basketball team, what would you like to do and why?
If I were not a gym teacher, I would like to be an elementary guidance counselor. I used to be a gym teacher at an elementary school and I just love being around little kids.
14. Which players do you think will have an impact on your season next year from the freshmen and junior varsity levels?
The freshman and junior varsity teams are very talented. I am very excited about the future of the varsity team. Both teams have had remarkable improvement over the past couple seasons. We have three freshman players who are going to be on the junior varsity team this year.
