Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Relationships, Competitive Spirit and a Culture of Excellence
6/29/2022 12:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball
“We have a great team and they are committed and ready to go.” - Head Coach Megan Gebbia
As Wake Forest director of athletics John Currie stood at the podium to announce Megan Gebbia as the new Demon Deacon Women's Basketball coach, he carefully surveyed the room.
Currie thanked the Board of Trustees and chair Herman Eure, associate AD Lindsey Babcock, director of basketball development Mike Muse, Caryl Guth and Bob McCreary, whose private plane transported Gebbia to Winston-Salem.
Also recognized were members of the Wake Forest men's basketball staff, along with football coach Dave Clawson, soccer coach Bobby Muuss, women's soccer coach Tony Da Luz and volleyball coach Randi Smart. Currie thanked the athletic department support staff and trainers, as well as Faculty Athletic Representative Pete Brubaker.
"Everyone is hungry for the incredible success of the program and for these young women," Currie said.
As a program that has recently celebrated its 50-year anniversary, Wake Forest Women's Basketball has earned an NCAA Tournament invitation just twice with the last coming in 2021.
Currie was excited to introduce the new head coach to DEACTOWN, but understood it will take all of us working together to help the program achieve the success that has evaded the program in the past.
"Along with student-athlete safety, hiring a new head coach is my most important responsibility," Currie said at the introductory press conference. "As a top-30 university with a caring and invested faculty and staff, along with the best on-campus men's and women's facilities in the country; our status as a charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and our home in the vibrant city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina — the foundation is there to elevate this program to the Wake Forest standard of excellence.
"In Coach Gebbia, I believe we have the perfect fit to provide a world-class student-athlete experience and unlock and achieve the high potential that exists for our women's basketball program."
Gebbia was hired by Currie after serving as head coach at American for nine seasons, leading the Eagles to five 20-plus win seasons and three NCAA Tournament appearances while also earning a pair of Patriot League Coach of the Year awards.
"It was an easy decision to make," Gebbia said of her decision to take the job leading Wake Forest women's basketball. "I am extremely excited for this opportunity. The ACC is where it's at. I am excited to compete. I know we have a great team and they are committed and ready to go.
"Just to be the next leader of Wake Forest Women's Basketball — I am honored, is all I can say."
She rattled off three main priorities for the team: Build authentic relationships, deliver consistent competitive spirit and maintain a culture of excellence, both on and off the court.
"Coming to Wake Forest presents an opportunity to be part of a special brand and a chance to impact our student-athletes in a positive way while also competing for championships," Gebbia said. "Wake Forest has a proud tradition with unmatched facilities and a highly-successful alumni base. Together we will build a sustainable winning program and you all will be proud of this team on the court, in the classroom and in the community.
"I want to build that winning tradition. Trying to be the leader that brings that about year-after-year is a challenge, but it's a challenge I am ready for. I can't believe I am here. I still have to pinch myself from time-to-time."
Stylistically, Wake Forest fans should expect the Demon Deacons to focus on defending and share the ball on offense, which should make for an exciting brand on the court.
"In order to win championships, you have to play good defense, so we're going to start on that end of the court," Gebbia said. "We're going to have a lot of open-floor movement and a lot of motion. There will be a lot of cutting and screens, and pushing in transition."
The contact between Currie and Gebbia extended nearly two weeks, with several conversations, including a breakfast meeting together in D.C.
"John put me through the wringer," Gebbia said.
She had convinced herself she wasn't getting the job by the time the call arrived with the offer.
"He texted me right as I was ready to go to bed," Gebbia joked. " But I hopped on the Zoom call."
It was her connection with Currie, along with other Wake Forest coaches that helped make taking the job an easy decision for Gebbia.
"John's leadership was a big part of it," she said. "Talking with the other coaches — they were just terrific. Coach (Dave) Clawson and Coach Steve (Forbes), both of them were great. He's (Forbes) hilarious. I really liked him a lot.
"I spoke with them about their experiences going from a mid-major to a Power-5 school. Can you win here, sell it and bring the right people here? They told me you could, and told me how different it is recruiting at this level. I'm used to recruiting kids who like high-level academics and basketball. It's an easy transition for me to connect with them. Your degree means everything, and that is your future, because basketball will end at some point."
Gebbia is confident the Deacs will rise in the ACC and get into the national conversation.
"It's my past experience," she said. "We will put in a system and see it work. I've been to the tournament several years and played really good teams. Why can't we do that here?
"We have amazing facilities — best in the country, so we should be able to get the level of student-athlete we need to compete. Then it will just be teaching them the way we want them to play and focus on the program."
Currie thanked the Board of Trustees and chair Herman Eure, associate AD Lindsey Babcock, director of basketball development Mike Muse, Caryl Guth and Bob McCreary, whose private plane transported Gebbia to Winston-Salem.
Also recognized were members of the Wake Forest men's basketball staff, along with football coach Dave Clawson, soccer coach Bobby Muuss, women's soccer coach Tony Da Luz and volleyball coach Randi Smart. Currie thanked the athletic department support staff and trainers, as well as Faculty Athletic Representative Pete Brubaker.
"Everyone is hungry for the incredible success of the program and for these young women," Currie said.
As a program that has recently celebrated its 50-year anniversary, Wake Forest Women's Basketball has earned an NCAA Tournament invitation just twice with the last coming in 2021.
Currie was excited to introduce the new head coach to DEACTOWN, but understood it will take all of us working together to help the program achieve the success that has evaded the program in the past.
"Along with student-athlete safety, hiring a new head coach is my most important responsibility," Currie said at the introductory press conference. "As a top-30 university with a caring and invested faculty and staff, along with the best on-campus men's and women's facilities in the country; our status as a charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and our home in the vibrant city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina — the foundation is there to elevate this program to the Wake Forest standard of excellence.
"In Coach Gebbia, I believe we have the perfect fit to provide a world-class student-athlete experience and unlock and achieve the high potential that exists for our women's basketball program."
Gebbia was hired by Currie after serving as head coach at American for nine seasons, leading the Eagles to five 20-plus win seasons and three NCAA Tournament appearances while also earning a pair of Patriot League Coach of the Year awards.
"It was an easy decision to make," Gebbia said of her decision to take the job leading Wake Forest women's basketball. "I am extremely excited for this opportunity. The ACC is where it's at. I am excited to compete. I know we have a great team and they are committed and ready to go.
"Just to be the next leader of Wake Forest Women's Basketball — I am honored, is all I can say."
She rattled off three main priorities for the team: Build authentic relationships, deliver consistent competitive spirit and maintain a culture of excellence, both on and off the court.
"Coming to Wake Forest presents an opportunity to be part of a special brand and a chance to impact our student-athletes in a positive way while also competing for championships," Gebbia said. "Wake Forest has a proud tradition with unmatched facilities and a highly-successful alumni base. Together we will build a sustainable winning program and you all will be proud of this team on the court, in the classroom and in the community.
"I want to build that winning tradition. Trying to be the leader that brings that about year-after-year is a challenge, but it's a challenge I am ready for. I can't believe I am here. I still have to pinch myself from time-to-time."
Stylistically, Wake Forest fans should expect the Demon Deacons to focus on defending and share the ball on offense, which should make for an exciting brand on the court.
"In order to win championships, you have to play good defense, so we're going to start on that end of the court," Gebbia said. "We're going to have a lot of open-floor movement and a lot of motion. There will be a lot of cutting and screens, and pushing in transition."
The contact between Currie and Gebbia extended nearly two weeks, with several conversations, including a breakfast meeting together in D.C.
"John put me through the wringer," Gebbia said.
She had convinced herself she wasn't getting the job by the time the call arrived with the offer.
"He texted me right as I was ready to go to bed," Gebbia joked. " But I hopped on the Zoom call."
It was her connection with Currie, along with other Wake Forest coaches that helped make taking the job an easy decision for Gebbia.
"John's leadership was a big part of it," she said. "Talking with the other coaches — they were just terrific. Coach (Dave) Clawson and Coach Steve (Forbes), both of them were great. He's (Forbes) hilarious. I really liked him a lot.
"I spoke with them about their experiences going from a mid-major to a Power-5 school. Can you win here, sell it and bring the right people here? They told me you could, and told me how different it is recruiting at this level. I'm used to recruiting kids who like high-level academics and basketball. It's an easy transition for me to connect with them. Your degree means everything, and that is your future, because basketball will end at some point."
Gebbia is confident the Deacs will rise in the ACC and get into the national conversation.
"It's my past experience," she said. "We will put in a system and see it work. I've been to the tournament several years and played really good teams. Why can't we do that here?
"We have amazing facilities — best in the country, so we should be able to get the level of student-athlete we need to compete. Then it will just be teaching them the way we want them to play and focus on the program."
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