BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Head coach Matthew Mitchell and seniors Chante’ Bowman and Samantha Mahoney addressed the media Thursday at the annual Southeastern Conference Media Days in Birmingham, Ala.
Select quotes from their participation in the event are below.
Head Coach Matthew Mitchell
On becoming Kentucky’s head coach …
“It’s been a great journey to get to where I’m at right now as the head coach at the University of Kentucky. I started out working at Pat Summitt’s basketball camps, and it grew into a great relationship between us. Coach Summitt and Mickie DeMoss gave me the opportunity to get into college basketball, and for that I’m very grateful.”
On this season’s team …
“I’m very excited about the team this year. We have four seniors who came to UK when they could have gone elsewhere. The way those seniors play and lead in practice gives us the ability to have a great season. They have had a special career at UK, and we want it to end in a special way for them.”
On whether being a head coach is a weight on his shoulders …
“Being a head coach is more of an opportunity than a weight on my shoulders. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be at the University of Kentucky. I hope I can make the most of this opportunity. Kentucky is where I like to coach, and I hope I can be there for the rest of my career.”
Senior guard/forward Chante Bowman
On the team’s practices so far this preseason …
“We are making a lot of progress in practice. We are very intense and we are working hard on both our offense and defense.”
On the team’s offense for this season …
“Last year we talked about running, but this year it will be evident. We have been working really hard.”
On the expectations of the team’s seniors …
“We are leading by example. With the transition with our new coach, the senior class has to have our heads on straight and the freshman will follow.”
Senior guard Samantha Mahoney
On the team’s practices this preseason …
“Practice has been great. We have been working hard, sometimes twice a day, to better ourselves and the team.”
On teamwork …
“We’ve been working hard as a team. We want to accomplish our goals together. We are working hard on that everyday.”
