Garnier takes natural place at helm of Les Braqueuses

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - It wasn't exactly a surprise when Pierre Vincent called time on his illustrious career as head coach of France's women's national team last week, or that Valerie Garnier jumped into the vacant seat.

It's a view shared by Leslie Anderson of womensbasketball-in-france.com, someone who had always felt the reign of Vincent was nearing an end as long as 18 months ago.

He explained: "It was clear to me last year in Ankara (at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) after they picked up their Olympic Games qualification spot, that the days of Pierre Vincent as head coach of France were numbered. He was happy, but his eyes were distant.

"I felt honoured that Vincent always had a minute to say hello and at times gave us 1-on-1 interviews outside the official press conferences, even in defeat - something which is pretty rare.

"I think the only reason he went on for one more season at the helm was because EuroBasket Women 2013 was in France and for once, no additional travel was required.

"With 99 official victories and only 15 defeats, his record speaks for itself.

"Olympic silver and a complete set of EuroBasket Women medals is the legacy he leaves behind for women's basketball in France."

It's certainly true that Vincent has been a gentleman to deal with whilst acting in his capacity as coach of 'Les Bleues' and that he harvested his weight in medals. It's perhaps just a pity that my last memory of him as head coach of the French team will be one of a man who was (understandably) bitterly disappointed to have missed out on the top of the podium at Eurobasket Women 2013 by the very narrowest of margins.

I won't lie. I have the utmost respect for Vincent in terms of his record and exemplary character, but I do think France were a little too conservative for my own taste. It's a little hypocritical since I am a someone who admires defense more than most, but I still maintain that France played overly cautious and could have been more expansive at EuroBasket Women.

It is a point that I made elsewhere before the Final itself and one that I would have made even if they had managed to actually land gold.

But just to be clear, there is nothing wrong with substance over style. Especially when the stakes for France as host nation were so incredibly high both on and off the court. I guess being more entertaining and not reaching the Final would have been more unpalatable for all concerned.

Overall, I could not have more respect for the accomplishments Vincent achieved in terms of medals in the cabinet. It is a very, very impressive haul and major congratulations are due.

Now the task of continuing his run of success has fallen onto Garnier - a natural successor according to Anderson.

"Valerie Garnier has been groomed for this job," he insisted.

"She was the assistant coach from 2004-2006 under the guidance of mentor and coach Alain Jardel. However, she needed to establish her personal coaching credentials the hard way.

"She started in the old division four and slowly moved up to clubs in the competitive, but unforgiving French second division, which was not always rosy for her.

"The former point guard battled away in a new professional climate of women's basketball.

"Despite a roller coaster ride with Toulouse, she hit the jackpot when she was offered the post of head coach at Bourges Basket.

"She was also brought back into the national team structure as assistant coach in 2012.

"Her work in winning the bronze medal during the EuroLeague Women Final Eight earlier this year made her nomination easy because the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) is trying to promote women in sport.

"She is completely different to Vincent in training methods, but like Vincent, she has picked up tips and tricks on player management from Pierre Fosset."

Now the biggest challenge for Garnier will be getting the senior players committed to the FIBA World Championship for Women next year and avoiding a EuroBasket Women 2013 hangover from deterring them suiting up on Turkish soil.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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