BERKELEY – It didn't take long for Charmin Smith to demonstrate she has what it takes to be Cal's next women's basketball coach.

At her introductory press conference last week, she displayed all the skills required to lead the program forward – including her talents as an impressionist.

When recalling the moments her life turned toward coaching, she credited Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer with pushing her in that direction. And by "recalling," we mean literally talking just like her former coach.

"She said, 'Charmin, I really think you should look into coaching,'" Smith said last Tuesday at a press gathering at the Field Club at California Memorial Stadium, drawing huge laughter from media and fans alike with her spot-on impersonation.

That was one of many high points during the public unveiling of Cal's new head coach. Smith displayed poise, confidence and honesty during a lengthy question-and-answer session.

Across the Bay, VanDerveer said she saw the clip of Smith's impression and accordingly took the compliment.

"I've had players on the team practice their impression of me in the locker room over the years," VanDerveer said. "It's a compliment, although some of the impressions of me I don't want out there."

Smith helped Stanford reach three Final Fours as a player and went on to play professionally in the ABL, WNBA and in Sweden. After wrapping up her playing career in 2003, she returned to Stanford to help with its summer camps.

Smith, who earned a bachelor's and master's degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford, began interviewing for engineering jobs at the same time. But the thought of giving up basketball gnawed at her, and she sought out VanDerveer for advice.

"Charmin could have had a job at an engineering firm. She's very bright," VanDerveer said. "When push came to shove, she went into coaching and I think she's going to do a great job at Cal."

Boston College was looking for an assistant coach in the fall of 2003 and VanDerveer made a call on Smith's behalf. Smith got the job, and has been on a bench somewhere ever since.

"Tara knew I would be a coach, even when I thought I'd be an engineer," Smith said. "She gave me a little nudge, and I'm really grateful for that."

Smith spent just one season at Boston College before VanDerveer offered her a job on her staff. She spent three seasons back at her alma mater before moving across the bay to become an assistant for then-Cal head coach Joanne Boyle. Smith went on to spend 12 years as a Golden Bear assistant under Boyle and Lindsay Gottlieb, the last seven as an associate head coach.

"Charmin is really a detail-oriented person," said Gottlieb, who left Cal last month to become an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA. "She taught me a lot. I was kind of a big picture person. But I think attitude-wise, we are very aligned – it's all about the student-athletes. I'm thrilled for the program. I'm thrilled for the student-athletes. I'm thrilled for Charmin. But mainly, I'm thrilled for Cal. This is the right hire at the right time on so many levels."

Gottlieb led the Bears to seven NCAA Tournament appearances in her eight seasons as Cal's head coach, including a Final Four berth in 2013. She was in constant communication with Smith during the hiring process, and actually found out Smith got the job while sitting in the war room with the Cavaliers during the NBA Draft.

"I was just an ear for her as she went through the process," Gottlieb said. "I hope I can continue to be her biggest supporter. She's a really great friend, and I just want to help her in any way I can be of help. She is ready for this. She is going to do great things. She's going to do it her way. It's just neat the way it all worked out."

Smith left Cal briefly in April to become an assistant with the New York Liberty of the WNBA, but when Gottlieb left for Cleveland, she had her sights firmly set on making a return to Berkeley.

Cal athletic director Jim Knowlton said when Smith arrived for her interview and "talked about her vision, character, accountability, discipline and developing young women on and off the court, it was flat amazing. And when she showed us her plan on what she was going to do and how she was going to do it, we were blown away."

Knowlton said the interview committee "did not leave any stone unturned" before offering Smith the job.

"When Jim called and said, 'would you like to do this?' – did I let you finish your sentence?" Smith said, turning toward Knowlton. "It was a very cool moment."

One of many to come.