During his first year at the helm of one of the most storied programs in women's basketball history, Tyler Summitt's main goal was to change the culture both on and off the floor.

On the heels of the first two losing seasons in program history, winning games in his first year was important to Summitt, but teaching his players to do things the right way on the court, in the classroom and in life was even more important. Summitt believes that if his players focus on the process, the positive results will follow.

Summitt also knows this won't happen overnight, or even in the first full year. However, during his first season, he saw strides taken in implementing this way of life within the minds of his players.

Year No. 1 in Ruston was well documented by the local, regional and national media. In fact it was like a who's who as the Lady Techster program received exposure from NBC Nightly News, 60 Minute Sports, ESPN.com, USA Today, CNN.com, SI.com, the New York Times and more.

And although most times the focus was on Summitt's first year as a head coach on the Division I level, the exposure that the Lady Techster program received was priceless for both recruiting and for reviving a fan base longing for the days of conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances.

When asked Summitt credits the players for overcoming adversity and buying in to a new philosophy which led directly to the 39th winning season in the 41-history of the program (16-15). He credits the work ethic of his coaching staff comprised of Mickie DeMoss, Bernitha Johnson and Amber Smith. He credits his mentors. He credits the administration and the support staff. He credits the fans.

That's who Tyler Summitt is ...the captain of the ship who credits the crew.

What Summitt provides to the equation is consistency. Whether there was a national TV camera in his face or he was one-on-one in his office with a player, Summitt's message was always the same. He preaches execution. He demands effort. And he won't accept anything less.

It showed in 2014-15. Time after time during the season, Louisiana Tech fell behind in games, many times way behind. Summitt's philosophy of playing hard regardless of the score or situation allowed his team to record some impressive comeback wins. Credit the players.

In fact, Louisiana Tech recorded two of the largest come-from-behind wins in program history this season. Tech trailed by 19 points late in the first half at Florida Atlantic in early February and won 73-68. Tech trailed by 18 points early in the second half at UAB in mid-January and won 61-56.

Even in losses, Tech showed signs of a never-say-die mentality.

Tech played toe-to-toe with Top 25 Mississippi State in Starkville in early December, leading with two minutes to play before falling 81-77. The 77 points were the most surrendered by State in a non-conference game while only Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt scored more in SEC play.

Tech overcame an abysmal first half in Baton Rouge in early December (trailing LSU 37-13 at half), scoring 48 points against the Tigers in the second half, the most points surrendered by LSU in a half all year (tied with SEC champion South Carolina).

These were small steps - and sometimes victories - for the program, a far cry from the days of winning three national championships and participating in 27 NCAA Tournaments. However, they were steps in the right direction.

The biggest victories of the season came off the court. Seniors Savanna Langston, Kelia Shelton and Chrisstasia Walter all completed their course work and earned their degrees during winter commencement in early March. Seniors Whitney Frazier and Kanedria Andrews will follow suit in the next few months.

The adversity the five seniors experienced during their career at Louisiana Tech will only help them as they head out into the real world. So will the direction they received on a daily basis from Summitt and his coaching staff over the past 11 months.

Year No. 2 will be easier in some ways and tougher in others. Summitt and Co. will welcome five true freshmen into the mix as LA Tech goes from being one of the most experienced teams in Conference USA to one of the youngest.

Transfers Brooke Pumroy and Ashley Santos - who sat out this season due to NCAA transfer rules after playing for Summitt at Marquette - will join four returners. Those six will have a much better idea of what to expect and can help the rookies learn the ropes.

Expectations from outside the program will be higher. That's normal. Fans will expect more wins. The media will expect more wins. Everyone will expect more wins. However, Summitt won't worry about wins.

Just like the message he delivers to his players every day, he will focus on the process. He knows that one day the results will come and Louisiana Tech will be back in the NCAA Tournament where it belongs.