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Q&A With Head Coach Gavin Petersen
8/28/2025 12:32 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah women's basketball's head coach Gavin Petersen is preparing for his second season at the helm of the Utes. After taking over the program four games into the 2024-25 season he's ready to hit the ground running for his first full season as head coach.
Petersen is in his 11th overall season with Utah and spent five seasons as the associate head coach. Since coming to Utah in 2015-16, Petersen has been a part of the staff that has led the Utes to five postseason appearances, five 18-win seasons, four 20-win seasons, and its first Top 25 AP ranking since 2008.
UtahUtes.com recently talked with Petersen showcasing his love for basketball, coaching and Utah.
1. What drew you to Utah and the women's basketball program here?
The people that touch our program here at Utah are amazing. From our alumni, to our administration, support staff, coaching staff and players on the team, we have some amazing people whom I get to work with by doing what I do. I consider myself a very lucky man.
2. Do you have a coaching catch phrase? If so, what is it and why?
I'm sure our players will tell you a few that I use, but here are the ones probably used the most:
"Long shots equal long rebounds!"
"HOPE is NOT a game plan."
"Make 'em wrong"
3. Why did you become a coach?
I love the game of basketball and wanted to share my knowledge and passion for the game with others. I also just love being a part of a TEAM.
4. Who is someone you look up to or admire and describe why?
My Mom and Dad. They just allowed me and my sister to pursue our dreams and did all they could to make sure we had the opportunity to do so. Now that I'm a parent, I see what they sacrificed and how much they poured into us in regard to academics, sports and rule (for my sister). They were always present and involved and that made a huge impact in our childhood.
5. How do you reset and regroup after losses or bad practices?
To be honest, there's not a singular thing that I do to regroup and respond after adversity hits. The grind of this profession is something you embrace and learn to work through. I always reflect on myself and our coaching staff to see what we could have done better, then watch some film and see what needs immediate attention. Focus on the things we can control or influence, then get to work.
6. What is something in your coaching career that you're most proud of?
The thing I'm most proud of are the call or texts from former players that I've had the privilege to coach over the years. Whether it's just catching up with them and reminiscing about basketball stories or getting invited to a wedding or receiving a birth announcement…it just makes me proud of my journey through this beautiful game.
7. What's the coolest sports moment you've ever witnessed?
I love my sports, so that's a tough one because there are so many. Here are the ones that come to mind real quick, and I'll keep it to the ones that I attended:
1) The Notre Dame @ USC football game - I was 12 years old (I went with my friend's family from our Pop Warner football team, and my friend ended up having a very successful NFL career) and that was my first experience away from Hawaii and it was "Big Time" football in Primetime.
2) Washington Wizards @ Phoenix Suns in 2004 - I got to see my idol growing up, Michael Jordan, play live and it did not disappoint. It didn't matter that it was on the back end of his career, but it was just a pinch me moment I had in sports.
3) Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks in 2010 - I watched my childhood friend, Olin Kruetz, play for the Bears. Still the LOUDEST stadium I have been in and the Bears did win.
4) USC @ Utah Football game in 2022 - Rice Eccles Stadium erupted when Cam Rising ran in that 2-point conversion and it was epic!
5)Rose Bowl Penn State v. Utah Football - I mean, it's the Grand Daddy of them all. Bucket list moment.
6) Stanford @ Utah WBB 2023 - It was for a share of the Pac-12 Championship. I actually took a moment during a timeout, to take in the fact that over 12k people were in attendance supporting our program like never before. It was AWESOME!
8. What would your walk-up song be?
1, 2 Many - Luke Combs
9. What's the first thing you look for when scouting potential future Utes?
The first thing that catches your eye is size and athleticism…immediately followed by skill set. Recruiting has many levels to it and we do NOT stop there. We continue to look for good teammates, competitors, and people we can see thrive here at Utah both on and off the court.
10. What are three words to describe yourself?
Passionate, Loyal, Funny
SEASON TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets for Utah women's basketball for $75 at https://utahutes.evenue.net/list/WB
FOLLOW THE UTES
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
Petersen is in his 11th overall season with Utah and spent five seasons as the associate head coach. Since coming to Utah in 2015-16, Petersen has been a part of the staff that has led the Utes to five postseason appearances, five 18-win seasons, four 20-win seasons, and its first Top 25 AP ranking since 2008.
UtahUtes.com recently talked with Petersen showcasing his love for basketball, coaching and Utah.
1. What drew you to Utah and the women's basketball program here?
The people that touch our program here at Utah are amazing. From our alumni, to our administration, support staff, coaching staff and players on the team, we have some amazing people whom I get to work with by doing what I do. I consider myself a very lucky man.
2. Do you have a coaching catch phrase? If so, what is it and why?
I'm sure our players will tell you a few that I use, but here are the ones probably used the most:
"Long shots equal long rebounds!"
"HOPE is NOT a game plan."
"Make 'em wrong"
3. Why did you become a coach?
I love the game of basketball and wanted to share my knowledge and passion for the game with others. I also just love being a part of a TEAM.
4. Who is someone you look up to or admire and describe why?
My Mom and Dad. They just allowed me and my sister to pursue our dreams and did all they could to make sure we had the opportunity to do so. Now that I'm a parent, I see what they sacrificed and how much they poured into us in regard to academics, sports and rule (for my sister). They were always present and involved and that made a huge impact in our childhood.
5. How do you reset and regroup after losses or bad practices?
To be honest, there's not a singular thing that I do to regroup and respond after adversity hits. The grind of this profession is something you embrace and learn to work through. I always reflect on myself and our coaching staff to see what we could have done better, then watch some film and see what needs immediate attention. Focus on the things we can control or influence, then get to work.
6. What is something in your coaching career that you're most proud of?
The thing I'm most proud of are the call or texts from former players that I've had the privilege to coach over the years. Whether it's just catching up with them and reminiscing about basketball stories or getting invited to a wedding or receiving a birth announcement…it just makes me proud of my journey through this beautiful game.
7. What's the coolest sports moment you've ever witnessed?
I love my sports, so that's a tough one because there are so many. Here are the ones that come to mind real quick, and I'll keep it to the ones that I attended:
1) The Notre Dame @ USC football game - I was 12 years old (I went with my friend's family from our Pop Warner football team, and my friend ended up having a very successful NFL career) and that was my first experience away from Hawaii and it was "Big Time" football in Primetime.
2) Washington Wizards @ Phoenix Suns in 2004 - I got to see my idol growing up, Michael Jordan, play live and it did not disappoint. It didn't matter that it was on the back end of his career, but it was just a pinch me moment I had in sports.
3) Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks in 2010 - I watched my childhood friend, Olin Kruetz, play for the Bears. Still the LOUDEST stadium I have been in and the Bears did win.
4) USC @ Utah Football game in 2022 - Rice Eccles Stadium erupted when Cam Rising ran in that 2-point conversion and it was epic!
5)Rose Bowl Penn State v. Utah Football - I mean, it's the Grand Daddy of them all. Bucket list moment.
6) Stanford @ Utah WBB 2023 - It was for a share of the Pac-12 Championship. I actually took a moment during a timeout, to take in the fact that over 12k people were in attendance supporting our program like never before. It was AWESOME!
8. What would your walk-up song be?
1, 2 Many - Luke Combs
9. What's the first thing you look for when scouting potential future Utes?
The first thing that catches your eye is size and athleticism…immediately followed by skill set. Recruiting has many levels to it and we do NOT stop there. We continue to look for good teammates, competitors, and people we can see thrive here at Utah both on and off the court.
10. What are three words to describe yourself?
Passionate, Loyal, Funny
SEASON TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets for Utah women's basketball for $75 at https://utahutes.evenue.net/list/WB
FOLLOW THE UTES
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
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