The University of Alabama introduced newly appointed women’s basketball head coach Kristy Curry on Thursday, May 16. Curry comes to UA after spending seven seasons as the head coach of the Texas Tech Lady Raiders. “I’m extremely honored and proud to be the new head coach of The University of Alabama,” Curry said. “I want to thank Dr. Judy Bonner, Coach Bill Battle, Shane Lyons, Marie Robbins and Doug Walker. If I can recruit half as good as those guys can, we’re going to be OK.” At Texas Tech, Curry coached the Lady Raiders to 130 wins and 98 losses. She guided the 2012-13 team to a 21-11 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years. Before taking over at Texas Tech, Curry solidified herself as one of the most successful women’s basketball coaches in Purdue University’s history. She compiled a record of 179-51 (.778) and led her teams to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Final Four and championship game in 2001. But Curry is excited about returning to South after growing up and beginning her coaching career in Louisiana. “Having grown up in the Southeastern Conference, I understand that it’s a great league,” Curry said. “It’s an opportunity to be back in the South, as you can tell with this accent.” Returning to the South was important to Curry, who wanted to be close to her family. The move to Alabama provided her with that chance. “I’m five hours and ten minutes from my parents,” she said. “It’s the first stop that I’ve had where I’ve been blessed to be close to family and close to a part of the country that I love and respect and admire so much.” UA Athletic Director Bill Battle introduced Curry on Thursday and said how fortunate he and his staff were for claiming their first choice in Battle’s first hire since taking over the position in March. “I spoke to her on the phone, and I was very impressed with our conversation,” Battle said. “She’s got a nice Southern accent from Louisiana. Her style of basketball coaching is exciting. I think the job that she’s done, both in the Big Ten and the Big 12, is very impressive, as well.” With a career record of 309-149, Curry has proven she can win basketball games and wants to continue her legacy in Tuscaloosa. But the first step in bringing the Crimson Tide back to national relevance begins on the recruiting trail, and she was quick to address that. “Recruiting is the lifeblood of every program,” Curry said. “We’re going to do everything we can to secure the borders of the state of Alabama and the southeast. We’re going to right, we’re going to left, and we’re going to go north and south. And I’m excited. I think there’s great talent in this area, and we’re excited about selling The University of Alabama and this program.” Curry has seen the success of athletics at Alabama and wants to make women’s basketball a part of that winning tradition. “It’s evident that the resources are in place to be successful, and there’s no reason in the world that women’s basketball can’t compete at the level those programs are” Curry said. “You look at women’s tennis this year, you look at men’s and women’s golf, and four national championships a year ago. I think it’s evident the commitment the administration’s made; the same commitment they’re making to women’s basketball, or I wouldn’t be sitting here.”