Ty Margenthaler is the new coach of the Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team. This is his first year at Southeast and as a head coach in his career. Margenthaler and his wife Julie have two sons, Brice, 11, and Nate, 7. His father, Jack, was a coach for 15 years at Western Illinois University and for 11 years at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. His brother, Matt, is coaching his 10th season at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

Q:How did you feel after learning you were hired as Southeast's head coach?

A: Very excited. It's a situation that has always been a goal of mine, to be a head coach at the Division I level, and when I found out the news I was extremely excited and really proud that all the hard work I put in is definitely paying off.

Q:What other jobs did you have before coming to Southeast?

A: College jobs started at SIU-Edwardsville. Then [I] went from SIU-Edwardsville to Bradley University and then from Bradley University to the University of Wisconsin.

Q:What is the process of becoming a college coach, and what qualifications do you have to have?

A: Qualifications, of course, are to have a four-year college degree. A master's definitely helps with that. A lot of the coaches are in the teaching field because that's what we're doing right now on a daily basis, teaching the young women. That has kind of prepared me and also background and playing at the college level has definitely helped.

Q:Why did you decide to become a coach?

A: It's in the family. I grew up in the business. My father was a longtime Division I basketball coach. My brother is now a head Division II basketball coach. It's just something that has always been a part of my life, something I've always enjoyed, and I definitely want to give back to what has been so good to me.

Q:What has shaped you as a coach and person?

A: Definitely the people I have been around and family values that I have learned from my family. That is definitely what has shaped me as a person. I think the competitive edge that I have and the relationships that I've learned through my college experiences and my assistant coaching experiences definitely have helped me and provided me the tools I need to be successful at this level.

Q:How has your job here affected your family?

A: You know, it's definitely a strain. This is really not a 9-to-5 job, it's your livelihood. It's definitely tough, but I have a very supportive wife and two great kids that understand what I do. I try to leave work at work and spend quality time with them when I am at home. It's difficult because I am not home a lot, but I try to take time away to spend quality time with them.

Q:How do you support your sons with their sports careers?

A: They are definitely interested in sports. I want them to be individuals and do what they want to do. I'm not a dad or a coach that pressures anybody into doing what they don't want to do. They're around it so they have a strong interest, and right now they're young enough where they like all sports. I just help them with anything. If they ask, I help them and if they don't, I leave them alone.

Q:What is a typical day like for a college basketball coach?

A: Getting up early and preparing. Right now as we are in season, preparing for practices. We always have a staff meeting to talk about practice. Then, I try to get on the phone a little bit and make some phone calls to high school coaches and junior college coaches for recruiting. Then, I'm emailing and Facebooking kids to kind of continue relationships. Of course, hit the practice court and then after practice watch film and then try to get home and spend the evening with the family.

Q:Describe how you feel in the days leading up to, and the day of, a game.

A: This will be a little bit different. I am excited and nervous about it because it will be my first head-coaching game. I try to prepare the best I can, but I think once Nov. 11 rolls around we will be ready for the ballgame.

Q:How are you hoping to turn the women's basketball program around?

A: I feel like we have already taken small steps in doing that. I think our kids are getting a little more structured and I think we're on the same page, but it's going to take time. It's a process and I think if we do little things correctly on a daily basis, it will all work out.