After graduating from high school in Carlsbad, California, Nygaard attended Stanford University from 1993 to 1998, and was a star player for their women's basketball team, known as The Cardinal. 44 days and 20 candidates: Inside the Mercury's quest to find a new coach, WNBA mock draft: Villanova's Siegrist soars into lottery pick, Serena, Griner honored at NAACP Image Awards, Sparks officially re-sign forward N. Ogwumike, Griner on court in 1st open workout since release, WNBA draft set for N.Y., to have 'Orange Carpet', 2-time All-Star C. Ogwumike back with Sparks, Griner officially rejoins Mercury in 'special signing', Yang joins Sparks after FIBA silver with China, WNBA trade grades: Why Wings, Liberty earn top marks in Saturday's four-team trade. However, much of Nygaards success will ultimately come down to whether or not she can develop young talent. Pitman noticed a fair amount of overlap in the suggestions from the committee, which helped him start focusing on a handful of names early on. You just take the lemon and wash your mouth with it; its not like an orange, that you eat it and feel heavy. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. As her drive to the airport on Monday continued, she said to her son that the GOAT takes care of herself. The course plays as a par 72, stretching6,774 yards and featuring 54bunkers. She also served as head athletic trainer for Russias CSKA Moscow during the 2008-09 off-season. Carlsbad in Carlsbad, California, Draft: New York Liberty, 4th round (9th pick, 39th overall), 1998 Draft, More Vanessa Nygaard Basketball Reference pages, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 4:56AM. Bickley & Marottawelcomed 25 guests representing Arizona's teams and events to their show on Tuesday through Friday. The Phoenix Mercury will announce Vanessa Nygaard as their head coach on Monday ahead of the Suns game, sources tell @TheAthleticWBB. She and Tanisha both bring a passion to the game, as well as the perspective of playing and competing against the best in the world. For the first time since her release from Russian custody, Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was playing basketball in front of cameras. She majored in American Studies and graduated in 1998. The narrowing to four candidates took place over the holidays, and Pitman scheduled interviews for the first week of January. Nygaard graduated in 1998, majoring in American Studies. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. In 2021, she joined head coach Bill Laimbeer on the Las Vegas Aces staff as an assistant coach. WNBA scoring leader and three-time champion Diana Taurasi has signed a multi-year deal to stay with the Phoenix Mercury, the team announced on Saturday. As Kozar moved to the front of the line, it dawned on him: The TSA agent also worked security for Mercury games at the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. Here is a look at what Nygaard must do to make her tenure a successful one. During the WNBA off-season, she participated in professional basketball leagues in Italy (1998), Germany (2001), Spain (1999), and Europe. The goal here is to win championships, and I look forward to getting this team back to the top of the WNBA mountain.. Next will be to build her staff and handle free agency and the draft. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Nygaard served as an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces last season when she took a year off from high school coaching. The Mercury also had to decide on an approach. Kozar and Pitman were headed to New Orleans to interview Pelicans assistant Teresa Weatherspoon, one of four finalists for the Mercury's vacant head-coaching job. It was one of the most stressful moments in the Mercury's coaching search, which lasted 44 days and included more than 20 candidates, hours of phone calls and meetings, and four in-person interviews -- and culminated with Monday's introduction of Vanessa Nygaard as the franchise's 10th head coach. Nygaard joins Tanisha Wright (Atlanta Dream), Vickie Johnson (Dallas Wings), Becky Hammon (Las Vegas Aces), Sandy Brondello (New York Liberty), and Noelle Quinn (Seattle Storm). Phoenix Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman (left) said he is excited about new coach Vanessa Nygaards ability to build relationships and communicate with players. When Coachman broke the high school high-jump record while competing barefoot at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national championships as a freshman, she caught the attention of the athletic department at Tuskegee Institute (now known as Tuskegee University) in Tuskegee, Alabama. He then drove each to the Mercury's new practice facility, located about 10 miles northwest of the arena. As she made her way through the arena, Nygaard reached the Mercury's locker room. Vanessa was born to her parents in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States. First-year Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard after the game used the moment to defend Taurasi about how she is being officiated. The course features large Bermudagrass greens, with an average size of 10,600 square feet. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. "It's a long time. Tanisha Wright joined the Aces coaching staff prior to the 2020 season after a 14-year WNBA playing career, helping the team to a franchise-best 18-4 record and its second WNBA Finals appearance. Join Facebook to connect with Vanessa Nygaard and others you may know. The five-year WNBA veteran joins second-year assistant Tanisha Wright, who helped guide the Aces to the teams best record in franchise history a year ago. She is also the girls basketball head coach at Windward School in Los Angeles. The search comes after the Mercury spoke with Partner Insights (Sponsored Content) Phoenix Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard is worried that Brittney Griners imprisonment has taken a backseat to basketball and box scores. Led by the 2021 Olympic gold-medal winning trio of Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins-Smith, and coming off the clubs fifth WNBA Finals appearance in franchise history, the three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury return to Footprint Center this summer, tipping off the season with Frys Food Stores Opening Night on Friday, May 6, against the Las Vegas Aces. She signed another contract with the Comets prior to the 2005 season, but decided to announce her retirement instead. 6-1 , 175lb (185cm, 79kg) Born: March 13, 1975 (Age: 47-310d) in Scottsdale, Arizona us. Before the 2004 WNBA season began, Nygaard signed a free agent contract with the Houston Comets, but was waived by the team during training camp. Their meetings with Corbitt took place at either the arena or practice facility depending on her schedule. The Sun defeated the Aces 72-65. Phoenix appears to be better equipped to handle Taurasis workload this year, with recently acquired Diamond DeShields playing alongside Diggins-Smith and Sophie Cunningham. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. At that point, the list had shrunk to 12, and though it was sometimes difficult to find their agents, Pitman began calling each of the remaining candidates the week of Dec. 13 and continued until Dec. 21. Her coaching career began while still an active WNBA player as an assistant at Long Beach State University (2003), and then the following season at Pepperdine University (2004). He valued a coach who could foster a close atmosphere and embrace the Mercury's three organizational pillars: winning championships, sustained success and being community leaders. One of Nygaard's first priorities as the Mercury's coach was to connect with all her players, most of whom are playing internationally. Last year at Sentosa Golf Club, then-world No. In 2008, she was named as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Silver Stars and helped the team to appear in the WNBA finals, before losing to the Detroit Shock. The hires didn't impact Phoenix's search. Fortunately, Phoenix will have some cap room available once Taurasis salary comes off the books. It was while attending Madison High School in Albany, Ga., that she joined the boys track team, and coach Harry E. Lash recognized and nurtured her talent. Nygaards coaching career is a study in dues paid and opportunities earned after 19 years of player development work, front-bench Xs-and-Os, culture-building, and teaching the game. WebVanessa Nygaard is a renowned professional basketball coach and previous player in the Women's National Basketball Association. Since taking over as head coach prior to the 2012-13 campaign, Nygaard has won 84 percent of her games, while taking home five CIF Southern Sections Championships and two state titles. Upon arriving back in Georgia, she was honored with Alice Coachman Day and a 175-mile motorcade from Atlanta to Albany, where she was greeted by the Florida A&M band. "As our league is getting bigger and broader, it becomes more important, in my mind, that we have someone that's here.". Nygaard was born in Scottsdale but Nygaard now faces the ultimate pressure cooker with the Mercury coming off a finals appearance and entering what will likely be Diana Taurasis last season. The agent, along with every other Mercury fan and employee, knew they were looking for a head coach. Last season, Brondello had five players under the age of 25, including Walker and Alanna Smith. Last season, Tanishas impact on our WNBA Finals run was immeasurable as we navigated the challenges of the bubble, and Im looking forward to working with both of them as a staff in 2021.. When Pitman asked Nygaard whether she wanted to be in Arizona, she said yes. And so that's our DNA, and I thought it matched up with what we are and what we want to continue to become.". She didn't tell the kids right away but shared the news with a few friends and mentors. Vandersloot to New York, the rise of superteams and a Liberty-Aces WNBA Finals? She has coached the team to three state titles, in 2013, 2017, and 2018. 2023 HSBC Womens World Championship: How to watch, whos playing Remembering History: Alice Coachman blazes pathway as first Black woman to 2023 Darius Rucker Intercollegiate: How to watch premier NCAA golf tournament. World War II had forced the cancellation of both the 1940 and 1944 Games, but Coachman would finally get her golden opportunity in 1948. She is currently single. In her hometown, Alice Avenue and Coachman Elementary School were named in her honor. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Nygaard, who described herself as a "lifelong learner," said she looks forward to learning from Taurasi, whom she called the "greatest player of all time.". Although Walker is a bit raw skill-wise, she emerged as a top scorer at UConn during the 2019-2020 season and wouldve been in discussion for being a top pick had she stayed another year. She was named as an assistant coach for the Washington Mystics where she spent just one season in January 2009. "The players are more a part of it than in any other league, the coaches, and that means access for my staff.". 33 Mao Saigoand Singapores own Amanda Tan, who won the HSBC Womens World Championship Qualifying Tournament to advance to the LPGA event for a fifth time. % Nygaard began her coaching career during the 2003-04 WNBA offseason, joining the womens basketball staff at Long Beach State. She would go on to coach at Pepperdine the following year, and later helped lead the San Antonio Silver Stars to the 2008 WNBA Finals as a member of Coach Dan Hughes staff. "You take care of the GOAT," he said, referring to Mercury star Diana Taurasi. By 5:30 the next morning, they were heading to the airport for a flight back to Phoenix. Prior to joining the WNBA, Holley was an assistant athletic trainer at Winthrop University. "It's really her relationship-building and communication skills," Pitman said. You can watch the 2023 HSBC Womens World Championship on Golf Channel, Peacock,NBCSports.comand the NBC Sports app. College: Stanford. It was a full-circle moment for the 46-year-old, who played six seasons in the WNBA, her last in 2003. MexicosLorena Ochoa, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017, won the inaugural Womens World Championship in 2008. Prior to the 2004 WNBA season began, Nygaard signed a free agent contract with the Houston Comets, but was waived by the team during training camp. Although she retired as a player after the 2019 season, her path to a career in coaching began in 2017 when she joined the Charlotte 49ers staff. All rights reserved. Vanessa Nygaard was born on 13 March, 1975 in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States. Kozar's meeting for each of the three candidates in Phoenix was about an hour long. Nygaard will ultimately need buy-in from Griner if she is going to have success. Thanks to Mondays announcement, six of the WNBAs 12 head coaches are former players. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; When Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer got word Friday afternoon that Vanessa Nygaard is expected to be named the Phoenix Mercury's new head coach, she was elated.. During the WNBA off-season, she played in professional basketball leagues in Europe, including Germany (2001), Spain (1999) and Italy (1998). THEN A BOMBSHELL hit at 11 p.m. Arizona time on Jan. 18: Weatherspoon withdrew her name from consideration after the Pelicans reportedly pushed to retain her. If they stayed the night, the Mercury put them up at the Hotel Palomar, just down the street from the arena, where visiting teams stay. in Scottsdale, Arizona "I'm a big chemistry guy," he said while sitting in Kozar's office Friday. But the addition of DeShields provides another offensive weapon to the roster, which should lighten up the hefty offensive load that Griner and Diggins-Smith had to carry last year. At another, that number was three. And I knew immediately that first day that I arrived back into the coaching with professional athletes in Las Vegas last year, that that is where I was meant to be. Kozar was sure their trip would end up on message boards and all over #WNBATwitter. Phoenix Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman (left) said he is excited about new coach Vanessa Nygaards ability to build relationships and communicate with She was titled as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2008 and assisted the team to appear in the WNBA finals, before losing to the Detroit Shock. After Phoenixs blockbuster deal in trading Bria Hartley, its impossible to project the Mercurys success for next season, given that they still appear to be active in free agency. The Mercury will be hosting a press conference with general manager Jim Pitman to announce Nygaard as the teams new head coach on Monday at 4:30 p.m. Nygaard has never been a head coach in the WNBA before. USWNT breezes to 2023 SheBelieves Cup title, but World Cup roster questions she would be at home in Florida practicing, How to watch, whos playing inthe 2023 Darius Rucker Intercollegiate golf tournament, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce talks representation, community work and Black Beauty, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce talks legacy, retirement plans, motherhood and being a hot girl, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame (2004). She was chosen in the fourth round (39th overall pick) of the 1998 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty. If Griner is engaged throughout the season and happy with the teams direction, Phoenix can count on an unstoppable force patrolling the paint every night. Vanessa is just defending her feminist cause and siding with her player at the current moment. The center also made a point of dunking in games more than she ever has throughout her career and developed a solid mid-range jumper during the latter part of the season. WebView the profiles of people named Vanessa Nygaard. She met with President Harry Trumanat the White House and former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and she was the guest of honor at a banquet held by the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. 1 Lydia Ko and defending champion and No. "It's been a journey for me.". That's what really mattered to me.". In 2012-12, she took over as head coach of the girls basketball team at Windward School. The Brooklyn native played her first 10 seasons with Seattle after the Storm made her the 12th overall pick of the 2005 WNBA Draft. Coachman would go on to win 10 consecutive AAU outdoor high jump titles from 1939-1948. She was most recently an assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces in 2021 under coach Bill Laimbeer. Because of all she'd bring to the Mercury as a coach, leader and communicator, Nygaard started to emerge as a front-runner. Enter Brianna Turner and Diamond DeShields both fresh from finishing their overseas commitments. Vanessa finished herhigh school in Carlsbad, California, she studied and graduated from Stanford University from 1993 to 1998, and was on their womens basketball team, known as The Cardinal as a star player. A Scottsdale native, Nygaard was announced as the 10th coach in Mercury history on Monday after a nine-year stint as a head high school coach. "I knew that I wasn't competing necessarily with anybody else over a candidate," he said. For three hours over dinner at Chemin la Mer, Pitman and Kozar interviewed Weatherspoon. Pitman sat in his office on the 200 level of the Footprint Center and started compiling a list of potential replacements. But in Nygaard -- a former Stanford star who went to the Final Four three times from 1995 to 1997 -- Pitman saw an ability to create a cohesive team. Shes been inducted into nine different halls of Fame, including the National Track and Field Hall of Fame (1975) and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame (2004). Nygaard was originally drafted by the New York Liberty in the fourth round (No. Pitman was hoping to hire a former WNBA player who was committed to living in Arizona full time. His initial list had more than 20 names, and he started to narrow the list by talking to everyone and anyone he could: former players and coworkers, mutual contacts, friends. She was widowed by her second husband, Frank Davis. Nygaard was driving from her home in Ladera Heights, California, with her wife, Kristine, and their three children to see her parents in San Diego for Christmas when a text arrived from her agent. If I had gone to the Games and failed, there wouldnt be anyone to follow in my footsteps. Despite many questions that await this offseason, Nygaard can still enjoy the fact that much of the championship core will remain intact. "It was long enough to really get a flavor for what their basketball knowledge is, what they're all about as a person and how they could help make the Mercury a better basketball team," Pitman said. Phoenix went through an exhaustive coaching search, with rumored finalists including Natalie Nakase, Teresa Weatherspoon and Stephanie White. A few months after Las Vegas was eliminated from the WNBA semifinals by the Mercury, Nygaard is now their coach. Prior to turning pro, Nygaard was a four-year standout at Stanford, where she helped lead the Cardinal to three Final Fours. "In the past, a lot of teams have it hasn't been an issue to have your coach there only during the season," he said. "But it certainly helped us crystallize that path.". This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The next morning, Pitman called Sarver to inform him that the Mercury's list was down to three. We have estimated The Mercury reached the WNBA Finals last season, but they fell to the Chicago Sky three games to one. Thanks to her experience as an All-American, Coachman said she wasnt nervous when she entered Wembley Stadium in front of 83,000 fans on Aug. 7, 1948. "But I do think I had maxed out what I could do at the high school level and I was ready for a new challenge. Before the 2004 WNBA season began, she signed a free-agent contract with the Houston Comets but was rejected by the team during training camp. She is a member of famous with the age 47 years old group. The Mercury announced Nygaard as their coach during a news conference Monday afternoon. She replaces Sandy Brondello, whose contract wasn't renewed after taking the Mercury to the WNBA Finals last season, and becomes the 10th head coach in the franchise's 25 years. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. She received and signed the formal offer on Thursday, making it official. I didnt know I had won, Coachman told Team USA in an interview ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. By all accounts, she surpassed expectations by getting the Mercury to the championship despite the team having only the fifth-best record in the league and dealing with injury problems throughout the season. We were looking for a teacher of the game, a master tactician, and someone with the temperament to lead a roster that mixes veteran experience with youthful potential, that has championship aspirations every season. WebVanessa Nygaard (born March 13, 1975) is a forward for the Portland Fire. She was head coach at Windward for 10 seasons. Vanessa stands at an average height of 61 ft /1.85 m tall. PHOENIX -- As Phoenix Mercury president Vince Kozar walked toward the security checkpoint at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport the morning of Jan. 5, the masked agent checking IDs and boarding passes looked familiar. Do you have a sports website? Adittionally, she also played for the Los Angeles Sparks, the Charlotte Sting, and Cleveland Rockers. Given her experience with the Aces, there is no shortage of inspiration to help Nygaard achieve that. And Pitman liked that she was committed to the franchise and to living in Arizona year-round. She was head coach at Windward for 10 It is incredibly gratifying to see a candidate pool deeper than any time in the history of our league, and we are grateful for the time spent with each of them., That process, and discussions with both internal and external members of the basketball community, ultimately led us to Vanessa Nygaard, who we are thrilled to name our head coach, and who we believe positions us for immediate and long-term success in Phoenix. March 13,1975 Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy, What Sabrina Ionescu Needs To Take a Big Leap for the Big Apple, Phoenix Mercury Re-Sign Sophie Cunningham, Five Weeks of Nonstop Action: Previewing the 2023 Athletes Unlimited Fantasy Season, Phoenix Mercury Sign Moriah Jefferson to a Multi-Year Deal, Trade Report: Marina Mabrey to the Chicago Sky, Diamond Deshields to the Dallas Wings in a Four-Team Deal. Her best season came with the Sol in 2002, when she averaged 7.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. South Koreas Ha Na Hang set the scoring record at Sentosa Golf Clubs Serapong Coursein 2016, finishing at 19-under 269. Sponsor exemptions went to two-time Olympian Tiffany Chan of Hong Kong, Chinas Yu Liuand Shi Yuting, world No. So what did we learn? Despite her imminent retirement, the Mercury are more likely to go into a retooling mode rather than a rebuild. Coach Laimbeer is a proven winner and General Manager Dan Padover has assembled a championship-caliber team. Nygaard, who was born in Scottsdale but moved when she was a year old, said the promise of getting a house with a pool helped sell her kids on the move. Despite not having the support of her parents, Coachman persevered. Lets stipulate that things wouldnt be normal around the Phoenix Mercury this season no matter what. The Scottsdale, Arizona native helped USA Basketball to gold medals as an assistant coach for the 2017 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup, and Nygaard was a court coach at the 2013 USA Womens U16 National Team Trials. "People that I talked to were just really high on how good of a relationship-builder and communicator she is, not to mention how good of an X's and O's person she is. We just thought it was time for a new voice for our team, Pitman said. Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Back downtown, they had lunch at the Arrogant Butcher, an upscale restaurant across the street from the Footprint Center. Originally selected by the New York Liberty (39th overall) in 1998, Nygaards six-year WNBA career saw her play for the Cleveland Rockers (1999), Portland Fire (2000-01), Miami Sol (2002) and Los Angeles Sparks (2003). We will update Vanessa Nygaard's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. She spent the 2012-13 offseason in Russia working with the Spartak V MR basketball team that employed WNBA players Becky Hammon, Seimone Augustus and Candice Dupree. She was head coach at Windward for 10 seasons. Phoenix Mercurys Head Coach Leads With Authentic Example. Phoenix hires Scottsdale native, Stanford grad, former WNBA player. (L-R) Assistant coaches Tanisha Wright, Vanessa Nygaard and Sugar Rodgers of the Las Vegas Aces look on from the bench as their players take on the Connecticut Sun during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. However, Walker showed limited improvement throughout this past season and barely played during the 2021 WNBA playoffs, which ultimately led the Mercury to move on from her. She missed the 1998 and most of the 1999 seasons due to injury, but joined the starting lineup with the Portland Fire team in 2000 and 2001 and with the Miami Sol team in 2002. Sitting on the dais inside the bowels of the Footprint Center, flanked by Pitman, was a moment Nygaard had worked toward for almost 20 years. "We felt like we couldn't make a bad decision," Pitman said. She was just 16 years old when she was offered a scholarship in 1939. PHOENIX The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury today named Vanessa Nygaard (NYE-guard) the 10th head coach in franchise history. Before Nygaard was announced, the Mercury's big three of Taurasi, Griner and Diggins-Smith talked with their new coach. 23 Jessica Korda, who turned 30 on Monday, is currently listed in the field after missing last week for an undisclosed reason. These younger players struggled to see the floor in 2021. Both Griner and Diggins-Smith will be 32 entering the 2023 season and will have little appetite for playing on a lottery team in the later stages of their career. High School: After leaving the Wubble early to work on her mental health, Griner was locked-in, happy and playing much better basketball than she did in 2020. She hung up thinking they were on the same page about "a lot of things." It's been 24 years since the perpetually upbeat Nygaard played for the Cardinal, but VanDerveer has Standing at midcourt in the middle of an empty arena, her face and name on every screen in the building, she soaked in the moment. During her four seasons, she helped Stanford She was also previously an assistant coach with the San Antonio Stars in 2008 and the Washington Mystics in 2009. Given Taurasis injury history, Nygaard and her team will be holding their breath for their leader to stay healthy throughout the season. Copyright 2023 NBA Media Ventures, LLC | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved. Shey Peddy has been signed to a training camp contract and would provide plenty of depth at the back end should she stick for the regular season. Beyond that, she is committed to growing the womens game on and off the floor in Phoenix and wants to be a part of the Valley basketball community yearround. Most notably, Griner looked like she was enjoying playing basketball again in 2021. He had a 9:46 a.m. flight, and Kozar was hoping no one would notice him. So, how much is Vanessa Nygaard worth at the age of 47 years old? With that, Nygaard hopped a flight Monday for her new job in her new city, the task of guiding the WNBA's all-time leading scorer to another championship awaiting her. She was told that she could make any cosmetic changes she wished to the walls. Nygaard took over as head coach of the girls' basketball team at Windward School in 2012-13. "She was someone that I thought was a really good candidate for us.". The following year she continued her studies at Albany State College, where she earned a degree in home economics with a minor in science in 1949. All six former players were hired in the last 13 months, starting with Johnson in December 2020. As Black Heritage Month comes to a close and we look ahead to Womens History Month in March, On Her Turf looks back at Coachmans trail-blazing journey.