Lindsay Whalen makes her Gopher debut, this time on the sideline

In Minneapolis, a beloved Gopher is back at The Barn.

Lindsay Whalen made her debut as the Gophers Women’s Basketball Head Coach Saturday.

It was just a scrimmage, but that didn't matter to the fans who were excited to see Whalen back on the court.

That excitement was evident as soon as Whalen took the court.

She was making people laugh before the game, and during, she was in her element.

A lot of people hope she brings back some of the energy from when she was out there playing.

It’s the same place, same colors and the same game, but a different vantage point for the now head coach.

“Everything is reps,” Whalen said. “This is new for me too.”

The Maroon and Gold Showcase Saturday was just that for Gopher fans. It served as a showcase of their team and their new head coach.

“We’ve been following Lindsay since she was in high school and we had Lynx season tickets, and now were here at the University. Glad to be back,” said Karen Norell, a Gopher fan.

That’s a sentiment shared by many that lined up early to catch the team in action.

“This has been one of the great things in our retirement has been being part of following all of Gopher sports for that matter. But we’ve especially enjoyed Gopher Women’s sports,” said Art Lunow, a University of Minnesota alumnus.

Now, a Gopher women’s sport has a Gopher woman at the helm.

“She’ll want to get out there and play,” said Char Lunow.

It’s been 14 years since Whalen took the court inside The Barn, time that fans said flew by. It’s also time that fans believe helped prepare her for her new role.

“We watched her really coach on the Lynx team because when they were on the floor she directed a lot of plays,” Char Lunow said.

Now, she’s back in the Maroon and Gold, back in the Barn and back on the court.

“Felt good,” Whalen said. “Felt like home.”

The Gopher women will be back in Williams Arena for the home opener Friday Nov. 9 to take on New Hampshire.