November 6, 2007

Yale Women

Tommy Hine

Chris Gobrecht's goal is to turn around another struggling program.

She certainly lives for challenges.

Gobrecht took over a struggling women's program at Cal State Fullerton and, in her sixth season, led it to a 19-11 record and its first WNIT.

"Of all the times I've taken over teams, it's always been that kind of a situation," Gobrecht said. "That's something I enjoy."

When her work at Cal State Fullerton was done, Gobrecht moved on to Washington to rescue a failing program. In 11 years, she led the Huskies into the NCAA Tournament nine times, including to the Sweet 16 four times.

And then it was time for Gobrecht to revive the program at her alma mater, Southern Cal. In seven years there, the Trojans posted three winning seasons, including 15-13 her final year.

Two years ago, she landed at Yale. After finishing 3-24 in Gobrecht's first season, the Bulldogs were 12-16 in 2006-07.

"In my 28 years of coaching, this is the hardest-working team I have ever coached," she said. "If you're going to start at any place, it's rare that you get handed a great situation. That doesn't happen very often.

"Usually, you have to start something. It just so happens that's how it's been."