2025 WCBB Coaches Hot Seat edition (merged) | Page 3 | The Boneyard

2025 WCBB Coaches Hot Seat edition (merged)

Here's an article on it.

This position was an odds-on choice of this board to see a change in direction. Certainly got a head start.
I don’t have a thought, one way or the other, about Mizzou. I do think though, that there are some schools that are just likely to be mired in the mud when it comes to certain sports programs. For example, the teams in the bottom quarter of the Big East don’t seem likely to ever really have successful programs. So the question is “why do coaches take these jobs”? Do they really think that they are going to turn a struggling program around? Or are they just doing a job that they really love and feel that they will get paid well for as long as it lasts? It seems as though you would have to have awfully thick skin, or a blind faith in yourself, to accept some of these positions. If you take on a program that is most likely never going to win, it’s not a steppingstone to the next big thing. So why do it?
 
Coach Pingeton had a decent run at Missouri. 15 years is a long time and playing in the tough rugged SEC, those years add up quickly.
@Vowelguy
@nwhoopfan
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15 years in Big 12 and SEC at a Power (Something) School is a long gig. She had her moments -- most notably with Sophie Cunningham -- but then she didn't. That happens a lot -- not just in coaching, but in a lot of high-pressure jobs.
 
I looked at Pingeton's career coaching record just now. Some good years at Illinois St. I'd say mediocre or worse at Missouri except for the Cunningham years. Kind of amazing she hung on for 15 years there. She only had a winning record in conference 3 times, one year .500, the rest were losing records. Missouri wasn't good during her 2 years in the Big 12 either.
 
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On the plus side - as you note, she's local (former Drury HC), was very successful DII coach, she has a "brand" of basketball (pesky defense), is young/engaging and may appeal to recruits. Having a really solid season so far this year (though the schedule is weak - it does include an early season win over Arizona).

On the minus side - has been at GCU for 5 years (current year 5) and has only been to post-season once out of a bad conference; will win the conference this year (most likely), but is that just because SFA left the conference? Has been to just one post-season tournament (WNIT in Y2) and didn't win a game; recruiting is a question mark.
 
There's a seat warming up in Hooville, but she should get one more season as long as there aren't any damaging allegations. 15-34 in the ACC is not good.
I agree. She only has one Top 100 recruit coming in next year, but most of this year’s mediocre squad is returning. She’ll need to really hit the transfer portal with some of those $$ gifted by Mr Serena and bring in some good quality experience to survive.
 
If Mike Neighbors makes it another year I will be surprised. Great guy...lousy teams lately.
 
I agree. She only has one Top 100 recruit coming in next year, but most of this year’s mediocre squad is returning. She’ll need to really hit the transfer portal with some of those $$ gifted by Mr Serena and bring in some good quality experience to survive.
Mr Serena? He deserves more respect than that. Alexis Ohanian was well established thanks to creating Reddit well before he ever met her.
 
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I agree. She only has one Top 100 recruit coming in next year, but most of this year’s mediocre squad is returning. She’ll need to really hit the transfer portal with some of those $$ gifted by Mr Serena and bring in some good quality experience to survive.
I'm hearing "NCAA Tourney next season or bust" from some of the more ardent supporters. Many of them are starting to worry about Kymora's legacy (understandable--you have to make the tournament to be in consideration for being an all-time great at UVA).
 
Before heading west, she was/is a Springfield, Missouri, girl/young woman. Young, successful, vibrant: seems like an interview should be the very least.
Coach Miller would be worth a phone call to spark the interest. She is a dynamic coach with that "IT" factor.
 
I think she may have one more year on her contract but I would say Adia Barnes at Arizona. She hasn’t had much success, in spite of getting those highly touted recruits, a few years ago.
 
I think she may have one more year on her contract but I would say Adia Barnes at Arizona. She hasn’t had much success, in spite of getting those highly touted recruits, a few years ago.
She's still putting up winning records and has Arizona at least on the bubble, after qualifying for the Tourney 4 years in a row. UA was a dumpster fire before she took over. They've gone backward from the National Runner Up w/ Aari, but they would be crazy to fire Barnes. Look at these other coaches being mentioned on the hot seat, it's night and day different compared to where she's at w/ UA.
 
I will be surprised, but not unhappy, if Arkansas parts ways with Neighbors. This account has had the long knives out all season for Neighbors (not undeservedly), but there are a pretty decent number of folks who have heard he will be back next year, too. I guess that's the "things are fluid" part. Neighbors certainly thinks he's going to be back (of course, he wouldn't be the first coach to be wrong about that).
 
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lol some saying Kelly Harper for Mizzou

She’s a decent coach but she’s had 2 elite jobs and neither lasted 5 years.

She should be at a mid major.
Not sure about culture fit but how about Xavier?
 
Not sure about culture fit but how about Xavier?
That almost seem to be getting to impossible fix status. Sharp drop after McGuff left and that's been 15 years. Only 2 seasons w/ a winning record since, and only one season they didn't have a losing record in conference.

She was at her best in the SoCon and Missouri Valley. Big East with teams like UConn, Creighton, Marquette...others?...looming, might not work out that great for her.
 
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She's still putting up winning records and has Arizona at least on the bubble, after qualifying for the Tourney 4 years in a row. UA was a dumpster fire before she took over. They've gone backward from the National Runner Up w/ Aari, but they would be crazy to fire Barnes. Look at these other coaches being mentioned on the hot seat, it's night and day different compared to where she's at w/ UA.
Um, yeah. But only sort of.

It was pretty clear in the paper that she almost certainly needs to accept a lower salary to continue after the end of her contract. UA has no money. I got to talk to a fairly big donor ($50K a year according to the web site) and he said as much as well. Basically, it sounds like the athletic department wants to be a national championship contender for all sports but to do it on the cheap. Exactly how you accomplish wthat goal is beyond me.

Barnes is a good coach in many ways. As has been discussed, by fans, on this board, and actually at least obliquely in the paper, she has had retention problems because her biggest weakness seems to be handling player expectations regarding playing time, etc. Its hard to get an exact handle on it, because the players actually seem to like her, but the rational for how playing time is dispensed is difficult to determine from outside. And part of the issue, at least this year, is players who do really good things on court, but they don't score or try to score. Some of the players that are aggressive don't apparently do "the little things" Frustrating.
 
It was pretty clear in the paper that she almost certainly needs to accept a lower salary to continue after the end of her contract. UA has no money. I got to talk to a fairly big donor ($50K a year according to the web site) and he said as much as well. Basically, it sounds like the athletic department wants to be a national championship contender for all sports but to do it on the cheap. Exactly how you accomplish wthat goal is beyond me.
So maybe they let her move on if she won't take a pay cut, without having to fire her? She doesn't have as much cache as she did a few years ago, but I imagine she'd still have some suitors if she was available.
 
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The SEC job is probably auburn or Fla, both in their 4th years. Ga has only been there 3 years.

Unless Curry is retiring but she’s not even 60
 
The SEC job is probably auburn or Fla, both in their 4th years. Ga has only been there 3 years.

Unless Curry is retiring but she’s not even 60
Seems like it's gotta be Auburn. They did have a good year last year tho
 
Another thing that points to Harris being gone:

She was hired by previous AD, who left/was fired in 2022
 
If it is Harris, Taliah Scott will likely find a 3rd school in 3 years.
 
It SHOULD be the Georgia coach, who is the worst coach in the conference.
 
Before heading west, Molly Miller was/is a Springfield, Missouri, girl/young woman. Young, successful, vibrant: seems like an interview should be the very least.
Here's another thought for the Missouri HC position: Beth Cunningham, who has now achieved a third straight 20-win season for Missouri State after her predecessor, Coach Mox, left for UVA. And she's had to reload personnel with that team. Remember that Cunningham had a very good, extended run at VCU before resigning (issues with athletic director) working with Muffet McGraw and Carol Lawson before landing this position.

She's obviously gotten to know the lay of the land in Missouri. I could also see her if some B1G positions open up, given her Indiana upbringing and experience at Notre Dame as a player and assistant coach. Stay tuned.
 
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