(Editor's note: Duke senior Georgia Schweitzer, the 1999-2000 ACC Player of the Year, will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season.)

Jan. 31, 2001

	Schweitzer

We have incredible talent and great people on our team this year. The main reason we are successful, though, is because of our coaches. Those outside of the team know that coach Gail Goestenkors (just say coach G!) demonstrates great passion, intensity and enthusiasm for the game of basketball. Hopefully, by sharing my perspective, fans and supporters will be able to truly appreciate her greatness.

I was a skinny, rather shy high-school junior the winter I came to Duke for a visit and met coach G. Duke was immediately a choice of mine because of the reputation in academics. Duke lost the game I saw but I was immediately drawn to coach G's intensity -- she never sat down once during the game and still hasn't since I have been here.

That summer, I was not much of talker on the phone and really did not get too close to coach G. To be completely honest, I loved the school and the players and that is the main reason I chose Duke. If I had known the impact coach G would have on my life, the choice would have been much simpler.

Initially, I was amazed at coach G's knowledge and insight into the game. The best part of her Xs-and-Os coaching is that she makes great adjustments depending on our personnel and that of our opponents. Our team is physically prepared for the games. We know and have practiced the defenses and offenses we will run. She demands full effort but will never get mad at you for missing a jumper (the same can't be said for a layup!).

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She puts more time in than I know, and I always joke that she works on her shot because it has really improved since my freshman year, but she still can't beat me! She is also consistent -- everyone is treated the same and I always know exactly what she expects. She is always available if I ever have any questions. She listens to her players and I have never felt more comfortable being able to tell a person what is on my mind.

What makes her so great, though, is everything outside of the Xs and Os of basketball.

Coach G serves as a great role model. Growing up, I had the great example of my mom, but I often was made to feel that my intensity and competitiveness somehow was inappropriate for women. Coach G has shown me that it's okay to be a strong woman and that you don't just have to "grow out" of that stage.

She allows no room for idleness, and believe me, if a player is late or not giving effort, the player will hear about it from G. Coach has not allowed what anyone thinks or says to tame her competitive spirit. We have traded stories about yelling at referees -- when we were both just fourth-graders playing little league basketball! Obviously coach G did not change, ask an ACC official!! The point is that she can be intense and demanding without being called the "B" word and while still being a caring person and loving spouse.

No one (besides my parents -- thanks G&H) have ever given me more confidence than the coaches. At the beginning of my sophomore year, when we had four eventual All-ACC performers and an All-American on our roster, we had a team meeting to discuss roles. Coach G told me that day that I was one of the best players in the conference. Wow! Did she mean to say that to someone else? I will never forget that feeling that someone else could believe in me so much. Later that year, we would beat the three-time defending NCAA champs to earn a trip to the Final Four. Before the game, she told us that no one in America believed that we would win, probably not even our parents, but she did and she made us believe, too.

It seems like today in sports, many athletes and fans criticize the coaches, and that's an understatement. "The coach should have done this" or "why does coach do this?" These familiar comments from friends, family and other teammates about drive me crazy sometimes. I trust in what coach G says; I have to and each player has to or we will not win.

I am not one to rely on other people and it is quite difficult for me. But coach G has taught me that depending on others is necessary in life and its OK to ask for help. I encourage players on teams everywhere to trust your coaches.

I am still working on patience, which Coach G says to me all the time. But just so all you readers do not think I am a total brown nose, coach G: you do NOT have patience, either! However, please keep having patience with me and my attempts to run the fast break!