Zihlman: 'I have one of the best staffs in Texas'

For all his history-making accomplishments, Bishop Lynch girls basketball coach Andy Zihlman is quick to concede he’s hardly been a one-man show.

“We’ve been blessed, a lot of people that know girls basketball throughout the state know that I have one of the best staffs in Texas,” Zihlman said in a video posted to Facebook from the TAPPSCONN 2021 gathering. “I learned a long time ago from one of my mentors, Gary Blair at Texas A&M, always surround yourself with good people, people that believe in what you’re doing and believe in your system."

The rest has been history for Zihlman, who according to MaxPreps, is tied with five other high school coaches from various sports in state championships with 27.

Zihlman, who was also nominated for High School National Coach of the Year in 2019, said the program has now built a reputation that speaks all for itself.

“The girls know when they come in they got to put in the time, have the passion for the game,” he said. “They have to know there’s going to be competition.”

Zihlman said staying motivated is also a big part of how things turn out.

“You find what motivates them and then there’s consistency on developing the fundamentals,” he said.

As for how much longer he expects to be roaming the sidelines, Zihlman said he has a simple motto.

“I have a group of girls that work hard and are respectful of our program, that’s why I keep coaching,” he said. “I take it one year at a time, as long as they want to have me it keeps me going.”

Again, Zihlman stressed having all the exceptional help that he has makes a big difference.

“I’m to the point now where we talk about what we’re going to do in practice and they set up and organize,” he said of his assistant coaches. “I can walk around and instruct individual players. It’s been really enjoyable, and probably has extended my career a little bit.”