USF Head Coach Jose Fernandez: "Houston women's basketball is in really good hands under his leadership."

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October 24, 2018 -- 3:35 p.m.

Spend a few minutes with Houston Cougars Women's Basketball Coach Ron Hughey; and, at some point during the conversation, the name of USF Women's Hoops Head Coach, Jose Fernandez, will probably prop up.

Coach Hughey and Coach Fernandez have known each other for years. Coach Fernandez has been at USF since 2000; and, he has built USF into a nationally relevant women's basketball program. Last season, Coach Fernandez was named American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Hughey is about to begin his fifth season at the helm of the UH women's basketball program; and, Coach Fernandez is someone Hughey speaks with for advice and insight.

Coach Hughey wants to get UH where Coach Fernandez has USF: consistently ranked in the Top 25 and national relevance.

"We talk a lot. I've known Coach Hughey a long time," said Coach Fernandez. "All the jobs and stops that he's had."

Coach Fernandez believes Hughey is on the right path to success; and, Fernandez was on the path where Hughey is now.

"I was at where Hughey is at. I was at that spot eighteen years ago - where it was a total rebuild," Fernandez stated. "You had to change the identity; the culture; you had to get the right kids that education was important and doing the right things on and off the floor. So, I've seen that transformation. I'm happy for him because he's really rolled up his sleeves; and, he's done a good job recruiting. He's done a good job teaching. And, the best is yet to come for him."

In his first two seasons at UH, Houston won a total of 12 games; then, 12 in the third season. Last season, in his 4th season, Hughey led Houston to a 20-12 record and a berth in the WNIT. The 20 wins were the most for Houston since 2011. Hughey has turned the program around and is headed in the right direction.

October 12th, the University of Houston rewarded Hughey with a three-year contract extension.

Fernandez credits Hughey for the turnaround. Now, Fernandez says, the tougher part of the job begins: sustainability.

"The biggest thing that they're doing is to turn a program around," Fernandez commented. "Now, after turning it around, sustaining it and continuing to recruit and develop and schedule and win. I think that's the harder part. You can turn it around; but, now, you've go to sustain it for one year after another after another after another."

Fernandez was pleased to see the UH administration sign Hughey to a contract extension.

"It's great that the university has given him an extension and believes in what he's doing on and off the floor as well.

"Now, he's going to have a new arena (the Fertitta Center) to play in. He's got a new practice facility. Houston women's basketball is in really good hands under his leadership," Fernandez summarized.

The two head coaches and their teams face each other twice during the regular season: Sunday, February 10, in Tampa, 1 p.m. tip-off, and Wednesday, February 27, in Houston, 7 p.m. tip-off.

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