Since taking over as head coach of the Cal State Bakersfield women’s basketball team in spring 2024, Ari Wideman has set high expectations for herself, the staff, and players.
These expectations continue this season, as she focuses on building a culture centered on “working to win,” Wideman outlined three pillars that support this philosophy.
“S is for skill. Everyone has a skill set, so maximize it. God gave you a gift, maximize it. P is for preparation. Be there before you get there. I emphasize preparation because if you study for a test, you’ll feel more confident. If you know the scout and what you’re doing, that’s important to me. C is confidence. You must have supreme confidence in whatever you do, and if you maximize your skill and are prepared, confidence follows. I believe if you’re skilled, prepared, and confident, you can expect to win,” said Widman.
While skill, preparation, and confidence form the foundation for success, effort and commitment are also essential, particularly on defense. The team averaged 3.77 blocks per game in Wideman’s first year and 3.4 this year so far, highlighting defense as a core part of the team’s identity. When asked about her team’s defensive identity, Wideman said,
“There’s a level of grit I think just people in Bakersfield have, and I think our players have to have that, I think that we’ve got to be more gritty like you’ve got to fly around defensively like high level, high activity, I believe in like you have to stay paranoid, you always have to be on the hunt for what’s happening, and so we’re trying to instill that in our players to have that like you’re applying so much pressure and so we’re still getting there with that, but that’s a staple because it shows how tough you are.”
Wideman not only encourages her players to adopt a relentless mindset but also demonstrates it in her own life. The grit and focus she instills in her team have shaped her journey from point guard to coach.
Wideman’s playing experience at the University of Nevada, Reno, along with her coaching roles at Prairie View A&M, Arkansas State, and Toledo, has shaped her style.
“I’ve had a plethora of experiences. As a player, it really helped me being a point guard, just to be able to orchestrate things and know, to be an extension of my head coach. So that was very helpful to see the game. I think it really affects how I see the game on both ends as a coach. I’ve just been under really good people who detail the people I’ve been under, like a Toledo champion and Hall of Fame coach, Coach Cullop, and it’s very detail-oriented. Recruit the right people, and you just get your kids to believe and play really hard, and so obviously try to carry that over here.”
As the season progresses, the team continues to work hard to build a winning culture.
