CHAPEL HILL– A teary-eyed Coach Andrew Calder discussed his assumption of the lead on-court coaching role in lieu of Coach Sylvia Hatchell stepping away for an indefinite period to receive treatment for her leukemia diagnosis.
***Listen to the full press conference***
The press room in Carmichael Arena on Tuesday was filled with awkward reporters asking reluctant questions to an understandably grief-stricken man.
Coach Calder is now entering his 28th season as the right-hand man for Coach Hatchell. Much like Coach Smith’s Bill Guthridge, Calder has been alongside Hatchell, the coaching icon, every step of the way.
And now Coach Calder will be stepping into the driver’s seat in Coach Hatchell’s absence. But he says the entire coaching staff is well prepared for the situation with the aid of a master game plan.
“Each year she evaluates the talent she has coming in and with her philosophy, puts together a master game plan for that year. We’re just implementing that game plan. When she returns, we will be on schedule,” Coach Calder says.
Coach Calder says the players were greatly disturbed by the news of Coach Hatchell’s medical condition, but he says the team was more even more focused and energized to fight for her on the court in practice.
“They’re motivated. They were very, very enthusiastic yesterday and very focused on being the best they can be. Every day in practice Coach Hatchell wants our team to get better, and they got better yesterday, not only for themselves, but for Coach Hatchell,” Coach Calder says.
In regards to his coaching style, Coach Calder says it won’t differ much, if at all, from the second winningest women’s basketball coach of all-time’s coaching philosophy.
“We both have the same philosophy on the way the game should be played. And I think that’s the main thing we’re going to continue to play the game the way she wants to be played. We’re going to fast break. We’re going to pressure people. And it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Coach Calder says.
Coach Calder says he found out the news from Coach Hatchell last Friday evening via a phone call. It was hard for Coach Calder to put their conversation into words.
The timetable for Coach Hatchell’s hopeful return remains unknown.
The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center has set up a portal at which you can leave a message for Coach Hatchell: click here.
Related Stories
‹

Women's Basketball: UNC Adds Sam Miller and Sean Sullivan to Coaching StaffUNC head women’s basketball coach Courtney Banghart announced Monday that the Tar Heels have added both Sam Miller and Sean Sullivan to the team staff. Miller will serve as Director of Scouting and Video Operations and Sullivan will serve as Director of Player Personnel Development and Recruiting Operations. Most recently, Miller was an assistant coach and […]

Itoro Coleman Hired as UNC Women's Basketball Assistant CoachThe UNC women’s basketball program announced Monday Itoro Coleman has joined the staff as an assistant coach, after spending last season in a similar role at Marquette. Coleman was a three-time All-ACC selection as a player at Clemson, where she would go on to also serve as both an assistant coach and as head coach. […]

UNC Women's Basketball Adding William & Mary Transfer Eva HodgsonWilliam & Mary guard Eva Hodgson revealed Monday on Twitter that she is transferring to UNC for her final two years of collegiate eligibility. Hodgson sat out the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 concerns, but started all 60 games she played in during the two years prior. She was named the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie […]

Janelle Bailey Selected as WBCA All-American Honorable MentionUNC senior forward Janelle Bailey was named an All-American honorable mention on Monday by the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association. Bailey has been a four-year starter for the Tar Heels and led the team in both scoring and rebounding this past season, averaging 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. A four-time All-ACC selection and the […]

Petra Holešínská to Compete in College Three-Point ChampionshipUNC graduate transfer Petra Holešínská was selected Monday to compete in the upcoming State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Holešínská is one of eight players who will compete for the women’s three-point crown on Thursday, after finishing the season as UNC’s top threat from long distance–making 56 total […]

Wake Forest Hands UNC Women's Basketball Early Exit From ACC TournamentDespite a career-high 23 points from freshman guard Alyssa Ustby, the UNC women’s basketball team fell to Wake Forest 82-71 on Thursday in Greensboro as part of the ACC Tournament Second Round. The Demon Deacons (12-11, 8-10 ACC) were red-hot from three-point range, shooting 10-for-17 from deep on the way to the victory. In addition […]

UNC's Janelle Bailey, Deja Kelly Earn All-ACC Women's Basketball HonorsA pair of Tar Heel women’s basketball standouts earned All-ACC honors on Tuesday, as Janelle Bailey was named an All-ACC honorable mention and Deja Kelly received a spot on the All-Freshman team. Bailey–a senior from Charlotte–has now received All-ACC recognition in each of her four years at UNC. She was the ACC Freshman of the […]

Deja Kelly Earns Second Consecutive ACC Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week HonorUNC point guard Deja Kelly was named the ACC Women’s Basketball Freshman of the Week on Monday for the second consecutive week. Kelly scored exactly 22 points in both of the Tar Heels’ wins over Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, shooting 51 percent from the floor and going 5-for-9 from three-point range across those two […]

Women's Basketball: UNC Fights Back to Top Virginia Tech in Regular Season FinaleSunday’s regular season finale in Blacksburg saw the UNC women’s basketball team fight back from a 14-point halftime deficit to top Virginia Tech by a score of 68-63. For the second straight game, freshman point guard Deja Kelly led the Tar Heels (13-9, 8-9 ACC) with exactly 22 points. Senior forward Janelle Bailey added a […]

Three UNC Women's Basketball Signees Named McDonald's All-AmericansA trio of UNC women’s basketball signees for the Class of 2021 were selected as McDonald’s All-Americans on Tuesday, as head coach Courtney Banghart’s team continues to add talent. Destiny Adams, Teonni Key and Kayla McPherson each received the honor, which goes to 24 of the top high school players in America each year. UNC […]
›
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines