UCI hire has list of demands

“I’m not the coach for everybody,” Goodenbour said. “I have a very black-and-white idea of how to run a program and it’s hard for me not to be who I am. If you are a player who is committed and believes in what we’re doing, you’re going to have a rewarding and fulfilling experience. There are other programs that are not as demanding as what I demand and that was kind of the case at Chico State. I had a very different style than the previous coach there and [that style] wasn’t for everybody The [roster] changes there were for the best. I learned how important communication is and that it is extremely important to have a supportive administrator. My athletic director there was very supportive of what I was trying to do with the program.”

Spencer said she expects Goodenbour to have success at UCI.

“I think she’s the perfect person to turn around a program,” Spencer said. “She’s not afraid to get players who want to do the same things she wants to do and she’s not afraid to show everybody how to win.”

Tony Pappas, who coached Goodenbour as a Parade All-American at West High in Waterloo, Iowa, was cited by Goodenbour as a leading influence on her as a coach.

Pappas said he remains a big fan of Goodenbour’s work.

“She’s probably the hardest worker and fiercest competitor I’ve ever coached,” said Pappas, still coaching in his third decade at Goodenbour’s alma mater. “She is really something special and I think she’ll do a good job.”

Goodenbour said that job will include inspiring the players.

“I don’t know what they did before, but we’re going to be demanding every day,” Goodenbour said. “They’re going to have to think every day, concentrate every day and give a great effort every day. We’re going to consistently demand excellence. There aren’t going to be a lot of peaks and valleys, where one day is hard and the next not so hard.”

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.