Lady Dogs coach Landers lands 800th win

Athens — Andy Landers has joined the 800-win club.

He did so in convincing fashion. The Georgia women’s basketball team throttled an overmatched Savannah State 74-28 on Thursday, bringing Landers’ record as a college coach to 800-252.

Landers reached 800 victories in 1,052 games in 34 seasons. Only Pat Summit of Tennessee accomplished the feat in fewer games (961).

In the first half Thursday night, the Lady Bulldogs had 11 steals, 32 rebounds, and scored 43. They took a 31-point lead into halftime. Junior Angel Robinson exploded in the second half with 14 points, finishing with 18. Guard Ashley Houts scored 17 in the victory. Jasmine Lee had her first career double-double, with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The victory puts Landers, who was hired as the Lady Bulldogs’ first full-time coach in 1979, in an elite class of women’s basketball coaches. Four others, including Summit and former Texas coach Jody Conradt, have passed the mark. North Carolina’s Sylvia Hatchell reached the plateau last Sunday.

But if you ask the NCAA, Landers is not a member of the club yet.

Included in his 800 victories, are 82 games won as Roane State Community College’s coach.

The NCAA doesn’t count his victories at Roane State, because the college isn’t a four-year institution.

But wins are wins, and the 800 mark adds to an already impressive resume.

Landers is a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and soon to be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. He has coached Georgia to four SEC titles, 25 NCAA tournament appearances, five Final fours and two NCAA championship games.

He is also a four-time National Coach of the Year.

Former Lady Bulldogs star Teresa Edwards was on hand for the victory Thursday.

“[He’s] probably the best teacher I’ve definitely ever played for in my career,” said the four-time Olympic gold medalist. “This is something definitely well deserved for coach Landers, and I’m glad to be here.”

She arrived at Georgia in 1982, Landers’ third season as coach.

“He was a young feisty thing. He would kill us,” she said, adding that he has mellowed a little. “He still has it. I watch him in practice. He still has the fire, and he’s very passionate about coaching, and he still teaches very well. Those things have not changed over the years.”

The Lady Bulldogs (11-6, SEC 1-1) play at Florida on Sunday.