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Twitter reacts to Gary Blair’s induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

jarrett johnson
·4 min read

Coach Gary Blair is one of the most beloved coaches to command the hardcourt in Texas A&M’s history.  His most memorable moment came in 2011 when he led the Aggies to a national championship beating No. 9 Notre Dame 76-70. Over the next 11 seasons, he coached his teams to nine NCAA tournament appearances, an SEC tournament title, and an SEC season title.

Coach Blair announced he was going to retire at the end of the 2021-22 season and had somewhat of a retirement tour. He missed the tournament in his final season, but he left a lasting impression on the university and all the athletes he mentored throughout the years. After a few nominations but missing the final cut he was nominated again, and this time he received some good news. Coach Blair was enjoying a day on the golf course when he got the call.

Below listed are the accomplishments listed on the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame website:

Winner of the 2011 NCAA National Championship with Texas A&M University, Blair went 852-348 (.710) in 37 seasons as head coach at Stephen F. Austin University (1985-93), the University of Arkansas (1993-03) and Texas A&M (2003-22). His 852 victories ranked 12th all-time at the time of his retirement. Blair’s teams earned 23 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a pair of Final Fours (1998 with Arkansas and 2011 with Texas A&M), becoming the third Division I women’s basketball coach to lead two different teams to the Final Four. The veteran Marine, who posted only two losing seasons, was a two-time Women’s Basketball New Service Coach of the Year winner and was a finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year honors twice (2003, ’07). Blair has been inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack Hall of Fame (2008), Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2012), Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2013) and the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame (2022).

Check out the reactions from Twitter below:

Texas A&M Woman basketball team showing support

Coach Blair gets the call

The 2023 Hall of Fame Class

Induction artwork

Honoring the Legend that is Gary Blair

Coach Blair Honored at the during the Final Four

Brandon George gives is thoughts

Coach's former team with the congrats

Coach Buzz Reacts

Coach Taylor Reacts

Story originally appeared on Aggies Wire