Women’s Basketball: Guillory joins Brodhead’s staff

Eric Narcisse, Daily Advertiser, April 6, 2012

New UL head women’s basketball coach Garry Brodhead is still in the process of interviewing candidates to join his staff, but one familiar face has already made plans to reunite with him.

McNeese State assistant women’s basketball coach Sallie Guillory informed Cowgirls head coach Brooks Donald-Williams and the players she’s leaving to take a similar position on Brodhead’s staff with the Ragin’ Cajuns.

"I definitely expected it and I’m really excited for Sallie," Donald-Williams said. "Sallie has passed up on a lot of jobs, but she is big on family. Sallie is a family girl and she wanted to be home closer to everybody. I enjoyed working with Sallie, because she did a great job."

Guillory, who served as an assistant coach under Brodhead at Teurlings Catholic from 2001-2006, just completed her third season with the Cowgirls where she served as the recruiting coordinator as well as marketing and promotions director.

Brodhead, who expects to have his coaching staff finalized by early next week, stated no decisions have been made and nothing is final.

"I feel like we are getting pretty close, but we are still conducting interviews," Brodhead said. "We have a lot of people who are interested in joining our staff, so we’re working really hard to get it done as quickly as we can. I’m hoping by Wednesday of I will be able to submit names to (Athletic Director) Scott Farmer so we can get it approved."

In addition to Guillory, it is also believed St. Thomas More’s assistant girls basketball coach Deacon Jones, who helped lead the Lady Cougars to back-to-back Class 4A state championships, is a strong candidate to join Brodhead’s staff. His familiarity with Brodhead and the talent throughout the Acadiana area is believed to make Jones a strong candidate for a position.

"I think it (putting my staff together) will happen quickly," Brodhead said. "I’m working extremely hard and (Thursday) was the first day to contact recruits for the 2013 year. We need to get a staff in place, because there is a lot to do and it is hard to do those things by myself."

Prior to accepting a position with McNeese, Guillory served as Brodhead’s successor at Teurlings leading the Lady Rebels to two district titles, back-to-back playoff appearances en route to being named District 5-4A Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008.

"Sallie has a great work ethic and she has earned everything she’s received in her career," Donald-Williams said. "To lose an assistant to become a head coach and another assistant to be able to get another job and return home is a compliment to our program. I always want to see our staff and players to do well."