2025 WCBB Coaches Hot Seat edition

[DefenseBB]

As we are now past the halfway point of the conference season and 65% or more of the whole season, I though it time to take a look at some of the underperforming teams/coaches and see who should be concerned.

At the beginning of the year-ESPN had identified a few programs under scrutiny, school listed with coach and contract expiration:
Boston College-Joanna Bernabei-McNamee (2026?) She's 4-8 and 13-12 overall but this is year 7 and she's only made one post season WNIT 3 years ago, add in the number of transfers out of the program and this could be it for her
Missouri-Robin Pingeton (2025) Actually Mizzou has been better this year according to NET but her 1-9 Conference record is abysmal and she has not done well since Sophie Cunningham graduated. She got a reprieve last year with the AD leaving in Feb but now with her contract expiring....see ya!
Texas Tech-Krista Gurlich (2025?) She took over a tough situation but had not done anything with the opportunity at her alma mater, she's 3-9 in 13th place in conference and is in her last year (I suspect) of her contract. Expectations are higher here.
Houston-Ronald Hughey 2025) I can't believe it's been 10 years already and he's 140-188 career at Houston. He's clearly the worst team in the Big 12 and shows no signs of improvement. Add in his contract expiring and the Houston job will be open in March.
Northwestern-Joe McKeown (2025?) Joe is 68 and to be 69 in May. He's had a great career but he's 0-10 thus far and he needs to retire.

I would agree all 5 are still on the hot seat and would add a few more whose underperformance needs evaluation:
SMU-Toyelle Wilson (2026) SMU joined the ACC this year and is struggling and Toyelle is in year 4 and not really showing improvement. I think she will get one more year to show improvement and with the contract due to expire.
Wake Forest-Megan Gebbia (2027?) Meg took over from Jen Hoover and has been underwhelming in her 3 years going 8-39 in conference including 1-10 this year. She needs talent and she needs to improve or her time will not be long in Raleigh.
Xavier-Billie Chambers (2028) Sadly, this is just year 2 for the former Iona coach but it has been an abysmal 2 years. They are 1-29 in conference play and 7-44 overall. This is not remotely an improvement. She will get more time but it looks inevitable....
Wisconsin-Marissa Moseley (2026) Another sad story for us on the BY, the record was concerning at 19-46 conference play in year 4 but add in those allegations and I fear the end in Madison.
UCF-Sytia Messier (2027) Her 8-37 conference record tells it all. She needs talent and she needs conference wins.
ASU-Natashia Adair (2027) I admire her moxie but she seems oblivious to the shortcomings of her team with a paltry 6-41 conference record between the PAC 12 and Big 12. This is only year 3 so she will get at least one more year but again, lack of improvement has me in agreement with @azfan

Other schools I have concerns about:
Penn State-Carolyn Kieger just got the longest and highest contract extension for a women's coach at PSU within the past week. Why? Who knows as her 26-77 conference record is atrocious, she's 1-11 this year and she has seen an exodus of good players regularly.
DePaul-Doug Bruno (2026?) Doug is 74 and has had health issues this year. I hope he just retires and enjoys the legacy he built.
Purdue-Katie Gearlds (2027) Again, a fairly recent hire but her start is going well at a school that expects to compete for conferene titles. She's 22-42 in conference play, that is not going to win a title.
Rutgers-Coquese Washington (2028) I was confused when they hired her in the first place and her 3 years thus far have not changed my mind. She's 8-40 in conference play at Rutgers and she too has seen an exodus of good players.

Let me know what others people are curious about as I do have all the P4 plus BE records (and salaries) updated through today.

 

[Zanzman]

Some familiar names from last list

 

[GamecockFam]

I can only speak for the SEC since that is the only conference where I keep up with most teams. In the SEC I would probably rank the hot seats as:

1. Robin Pingeton, Missouri
2. Joni Taylor, Texas A&M
3. Mike Neighbors, Arkansas

I don't see anyone being let go outside of those three.

Edit: just wanted to add that I wasn't factoring in contract buyouts or any other x factors than recruiting and the product on the court.

 

[BigTenGuy]

As we are now past the halfway point of the conference season and 65% or more of the whole season, I though it time to take a look at some of the underperforming teams/coaches and see who should be concerned.

At the beginning of the year-ESPN had identified a few programs under scrutiny, school listed with coach and contract expiration:
Boston College-Joanna Bernabei-McNamee (2026?) She's 4-8 and 13-12 overall but this is year 7 and she's only made one post season WNIT 3 years ago, add in the number of transfers out of the program and this could be it for her
Missouri-Robin Pingeton (2025) Actually Mizzou has been better this year according to NET but her 1-9 Conference record is abysmal and she has not done well since Sophie Cunningham graduated. She got a reprieve last year with the AD leaving in Feb but now with her contract expiring....see ya!
Texas Tech-Krista Gurlich (2025?) She took over a tough situation but had not done anything with the opportunity at her alma mater, she's 3-9 in 13th place in conference and is in her last year (I suspect) of her contract. Expectations are higher here.
Houston-Ronald Hughey 2025) I can't believe it's been 10 years already and he's 140-188 career at Houston. He's clearly the worst team in the Big 12 and shows no signs of improvement. Add in his contract expiring and the Houston job will be open in March.
Northwestern-Joe McKeown (2025?) Joe is 68 and to be 69 in May. He's had a great career but he's 0-10 thus far and he needs to retire.

I would agree all 5 are still on the hot seat and would add a few more whose underperformance needs evaluation:
SMU-Toyelle Wilson (2026) SMU joined the ACC this year and is struggling and Toyelle is in year 4 and not really showing improvement. I think she will get one more year to show improvement and with the contract due to expire.
Wake Forest-Megan Gebbia (2027?) Meg took over from Jen Hoover and has been underwhelming in her 3 years going 8-39 in conference including 1-10 this year. She needs talent and she needs to improve or her time will not be long in Raleigh.
Xavier-Billie Chambers (2028) Sadly, this is just year 2 for the former Iona coach but it has been an abysmal 2 years. They are 1-29 in conference play and 7-44 overall. This is not remotely an improvement. She will get more time but it looks inevitable....
Wisconsin-Marissa Moseley (2026) Another sad story for us on the BY, the record was concerning at 19-46 conference play in year 4 but add in those allegations and I fear the end in Madison.
UCF-Sytia Messier (2027) Her 8-37 conference record tells it all. She needs talent and she needs conference wins.
ASU-Natashia Adair (2027) I admire her moxie but she seems oblivious to the shortcomings of her team with a paltry 6-41 conference record between the PAC 12 and Big 12. This is only year 3 so she will get at least one more year but again, lack of improvement has me in agreement with @azfan

Other schools I have concerns about:
Penn State-Carolyn Kieger just got the longest and highest contract extension for a women's coach at PSU within the past week. Why? Who knows as her 26-77 conference record is atrocious, she's 1-11 this year and she has seen an exodus of good players regularly.
DePaul-Doug Bruno (2026?) Doug is 74 and has had health issues this year. I hope he just retires and enjoys the legacy he built.
Purdue-Katie Gearlds (2027) Again, a fairly recent hire but her start is going well at a school that expects to compete for conferene titles. She's 22-42 in conference play, that is not going to win a title.
Rutgers-Coquese Washington (2028) I was confused when they hired her in the first place and her 3 years thus far have not changed my mind. She's 8-40 in conference play at Rutgers and she too has seen an exodus of good players.

Let me know what others people are curious about as I do have all the P4 plus BE records (and salaries) updated through today.

Do you have a link for the Kieger extension? Don’t see it on the PSU website. Makes no sense.

 

[CajunHusk94]

I can only speak for the SEC since that is the only conference where I keep up with most teams. In the SEC I would probably rank the hot seats as:

1. Robin Pingeton, Missouri
2. Joni Taylor, Texas A&M
3. Mike Neighbors, Arkansas

I don't see anyone being let go outside of those three.

Edit: just wanted to add that I wasn't factoring in contract buyouts or any other x factors than recruiting and the product on the court.

Missouri and Arkansas Coach are the first two go

Joni is not getting fired after this season but things are gonna heat up for her. They are not recruiting well right now and if they do not load up in the portal next year on paper looks worse

 

[GamecockFam]

Missouri and Arkansas Coach are the first two go

Joni is not getting fired after this season but things are gonna heat up for her. They are not recruiting well right now and if they do not load up in the portal next year on paper looks worse

I have a feeling Neighbors will be given one more season to overhaul his staff and recruits. He has built too much rapport at Arkansas to be let go. That's why I put him below Taylor -- because of that loyalty factor. But there's still a chance.

I can see Texas A&M boosters and AD cutting Joni loose if they think they can nab a better coach in the off season. Based on prior actions in football and other sports, they just seem to be more cutthroat in the pursuit of championships.

 

[JellyBean]

I laugh at y'all for thinking that Arkansas is going to let Coach Neighbors go. He is ARKANSAS! The only way my boy leaves that program is when he decides that he is done. This year it is rough for him, and he won't leave the program in that shape. He will get that program back into some decent shape before stepping down and that could be 2-3 seasons. He ain't going anywhere unless he wants to leave on his own.

Now, I do worry about my girl, Coach Marisa Moseley in Wisconsin. She could be on the hot seat. The life blood of any program is recruiting and skill development. Coach Moseley is one of best at skill development. Recruiting is always tough when you are not winning or with a program that is at or near the bottom. You take a 2 or a 3 star player and do your best at skill development. We will see what develops with Coach Moseley at Wisconsin. Wishing her all the best.

 

[cancontent]

I laugh at y'all for thinking that Arkansas is going to let Coach Neighbors go. He is ARKANSAS! The only way my boy leaves that program is when he decides that he is done. This year it is rough for him, and he won't leave the program in that shape. He will get that program back into some decent shape before stepping down and that could be 2-3 seasons. He ain't going anywhere unless he wants to leave on his own.

Now, I do worry about my girl, Coach Marisa Moseley in Wisconsin. She could be on the hot seat. The life blood of any program is recruiting and skill development. Coach Moseley is one of best at skill development. Recruiting is always tough when you are not winning or with a program that is at or near the bottom. You take a 2 or a 3 star player and do your best at skill development. We will see what develops with Coach Moseley at Wisconsin. Wishing her all the best.

I hear you regarding Neighbors, but how patient are programs willing to be in this new age of college basketball? Coach Harper got about 5 years with tournament appearances on her resume. Do you think Arkansas fans have the patience to wait while other SEC programs are bouncing back faster than theirs?

 

[Bigboote]

I agree with most of what’s been said, including Mike Neighbors having a LOOOOONG leash due to his deep ties in Arkansas. I just have a couple of comments:

It really was time for both McKeown and Pingeton to go a couple of years (not factoring in length of contract).

Coquese Washington: I’d completely forgotten that Rutgers hired her. I’ll say what I said then, before I’d blocked it from my mind: What were they (allegedly) thinking.

I love Doug Bruno to pieces, and he’s had a tremendous run. I’m sure he wants to go out on a high note, but sometimes you just gotta play the hand you’re holding, even if it sucks. My heart was warmed seeing him in the stands at the UConn game, sometimes I know he’s okay and could retire with hope that he’s got a few good years ahead of him.