Baldwin-Tener brings in former assistant coaches for women’s basketball

First-year head coach of Georgia State women's basketball, Sharon Baldwin-Tener, hired Adrienne Shular and Jocelyn Wyatt to assist with coaching the Panthers for the 2010-2011 season.

Both Shular and Wyatt worked under Baldwin-Tener at East Carolina, collectively bringing a proven staff to Georgia State.

The three have known each other for years, crossing paths early in their collegiate women's basketball careers. The paths would all ultimately lead to Atlanta, Ga., and the three of them face a new challenge in leading the Panthers.

Baldwin-Tener and Shular played basketball for the University of Georgia together during Baldwin-Tener's last two seasons.

After graduating, Shular spent a summer playing in the WNBA for the Washington Mystics.

Shular would later become the head coach of women's basketball at Appalacian State University, where she coached Wyatt.

After graduating from Appalachian State University, Wyatt went on to the University of Georgia as a graduate student.

Balwin-Tener also eventually became an assistant coach at the University or Georgia as a graduate student.

Shular and Wyatt have spent the last two years at East Carolina, and the pair will now prepare for the upcoming 2010-2011 season with the Panthers.

Shular is quick to point out the importance of chemistry within the coaching staff.

"Having the connection is a big positive," Shular said.

"Jocelyn played for me, [and] coach [Baldwin-Tener] and I played together."

"[They're] quality people," Shular said.

"[They're] very professional, goal-oriented and we all share that love of basketball."

Baldwin-Tener describes Shular as a "well -experienced, orgainized, no nonsense, take care of business," kind of person, while Wyatt is personable and does a great job relating to the players.

Wyatt, being the youngest of the three, tries to provide an example whenever the players are confused about certain plays and drills.

"She's the one that usually demonstrates the play exactly," Shular said.

"In a way I'm still coaching her."

Wyatt knows her role, and is thankful for the experience that Shular provides.

"I bring the energy, and I'm very passionate about what I do," Wyatt said.

"Shular keeps everything in line."

Baldwin-Tener, with the help of Shular, Wyatt and Jonathon Barbaree, the only holdover from the previous staff, plan on playing in a more up-tempo style with fast breaks, press and runs.

Baldwin-Tener is in the process of training the athletes for this style of play.

"They're going to be in the best shapes of their lives," Baldwin- Tener said.

Shular is confident in the new strategy for the Panthers as up-tempo has always been her style.

"Everything we're doing: conditioning, practicing and weight lifting, is geared towards that," Shular said.

Wyatt was quick to add the maxim that the team will live by.

"Training is hard, but losing is worse," Wyatt said.