To understand Blanche Alverson’s passion for basketball, all you need to know is the name of her Goldendoodle. Luka, as in Doncic. Alverson was introduced Thursday morning as the University of San Diego’s women’s basketball coach and a few things stood out: her height (6-foot-3); her self-confidence (with heels, she towered to at least 6-7); her youth (34 but could pass for late 20s); her unbridled enthusiasm; and her instant love affair with USD. Upon driving along the picturesque campus that overlooks Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean, Alverson said family members uttered the same words. “This is where you get to go to work?” Said Alverson: “This was a no-brainer decision for me. I’m so glad to be at USD. This is an incredible campus. The facilities that are coming for women’s basketball and men’s basketball (a new practice facility and offices are scheduled to open this spring) … this is an exciting time. And I couldn’t be more happy to be here.” Alverson, who grew up in Andalusia, Ala. — population: roughly 8,000 — was joined at the news conference by her mother, father and her father’s husband. Said Alverson, “We’re truly a modern family.” Alverson played four years at Auburn under respected coach Nell Fortner, where she filled stat sheets. She was only the fourth player in Auburn history to score 1,000 points, grab 500 rebounds, dish 100 assists, log 100 steals and block 50 shots. Having majored in biomedical science and been a two-time SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year, Alverson can relate to the academic demands at USD. She said academics have always been her “first and foremost focus.” At one time, Alverson faced a fork-in-the-road decision. Doctor or basketball coach? “I knew if I was going to pursue medicine, I had to be two feet in,” she said. “I wasn’t ready to step away from basketball. My mom said she always knew what I was going to do. I told her, ‘Well, you knew before me.’” Alverson’s coaching apprenticeship took her to Texas Tech, New Mexico State, USC and Georgia Tech, where for the past six seasons she coached under Fortner and was elevated to associate head coach. The Yellow Jackets advanced to the NCAA Tournament three times during Alverson’s stay, making the Sweet 16 in 2021. At 34, Alverson is one of the NCAA’s youngest head coaches. When asked if some might wonder if she’s ready, rather than be annoyed by the question, Alverson welcomed it and understood why it was asked. “I think it’s a very fair question,” she said. “More than anything, having good mentors is one thing. Nell was phenomenal at Georgia Tech, giving me more and more responsibilities, which truly helped me navigate relationships on campus and navigate decisions with the team. “What’s it like moving over one chair (on the bench)? You don’t know what you don’t know. I will work extremely hard at, more than anything, developing relationships and caring about the people around me.” As is to be expected to be expressed at an introductory press conference, those on campus said Alverson has made an impressive first impression. When Alverson met with players, she talked about her family and asked players about theirs. “So far, she seems very genuine and positive, enthusiastic,” said sophomore guard Malia Tharpe. “Her energy is contagious.” USD athletic director Kimya Massey said a phrase Alverson used resonated with him: “educator/coach.” Asked what sold him on Alverson, Massey used the words, “character … as a human being … doing it the right way.” President James T. Harris III said, “Her focus on the well being of players, wanting them to succeed in the classroom, lead meaningful lives. You can just tell how much she cares about the students she’s coaching.” Alverson succeeds Cindy Fisher, who coached at USD for 20 seasons. The Toreros finished with seven 20-win seasons and 15 winning seasons under Fisher. They fell hard the past two seasons, going 7-24 this year after posting a 9-22 mark the previous season. For all their sincere talk about academics and developing the complete athlete, Massey and Harris both said they expect more winning. “We need to have more success as we move forward, and we will,” Massey said. “We believe we can compete at the very highest level with anybody in the country,” said Harris, citing the women’s volleyball and men’s soccer teams as examples. Alverson said her team’s playing style will be aggressive. The Toreros will likely push the ball up the floor, launch 3s and force matters defensively. As for standing 6-foot-3 and towering even taller in heels, Alverson said, “When I was younger, I was taller than everybody else and my parents always said, ‘Embrace that. Hold your shoulders back. Own a room.’” A smiling, effervescent Alverson certainly owned the Jenny Craig Pavilion foyer Thursday morning. Wrapping up her opening remarks at the press conference, Alverson said, “At the end of the day, I am honored and humbled to be here.”