Becky Hammond going places?

[wire chief]

Report: Spurs' Becky Hammon finalist for Florida head coaching spot

 

[DefenseBB]

I would rather Florida get her than that other team who wears Orange...

 

[oldude]

I would rather Florida get her than that other team who wears Orange...

I actually first read about this news on VolNation. Predictably, many Vol fans were lamenting the fact that Hammon might end up at FL while they were stuck with Holly. Gallows humor generally prevailed with one Vol fan writing, "FL will be one more team in the SEC that we can't beat."

 

[McFly]

I was surprised she didn't replace Dan Hughes when he retired.

 

[JellyBean]

That would be a nice gig. The recruiting visits would be epic, especially those of us that have followed Becky's career from college to the WNBA.

 

[DefenseBB]

I actually first read about this news on VolNation. Predictably, many Vol fans were lamenting the fact that Hammon might end up at FL while they were stuck with Holly. Gallows humor generally prevailed with one Vol fan writing, "FL will be one more team in the SEC that we can't beat."

I do tours over there as well and had seen that and just smile and shake my head. Theirs is a cautionary tale for us though, which makes me think of this- "but by the grace of God, go I". I just hope we don't suffer the same fate of expectations and vitriol that now exists at Tenn.

 

[Vowelguy]

Coaching Carousel 2017 (merged threads)

 

[iamcbs]

All I remember about Becky Hammond is that she wasn't good enough to make the U. S. Olympic Women's BB Team in 2008, so she got some kind of exemption and played for Russia. It was a "bush league" move then and I don't care what she does or doesn't do now.

 

[UcMiami]

All I remember about Becky Hammond is that she wasn't good enough to make the U. S. Olympic Women's BB Team in 2008, so she got some kind of exemption and played for Russia. It was a "bush league" move then and I don't care what she does or doesn't do now.

There are a number of athletes who have done that from a number of different countries including about 10 US Women's basketball players - if it is a dream and you cannot break into your national team but another national team wants you, go for it.

 

[JordyG]

UT would have to fire Holly first before they could tend an offer to Hammond. With such a great recruiting class incoming which just reinforces Holly's bad coaching behaviors/decisions, and a new administration which is not on sure footing, that's not going to happen.

 

[JordyG]

All I remember about Becky Hammond is that she wasn't good enough to make the U. S. Olympic Women's BB Team in 2008, so she got some kind of exemption and played for Russia. It was a "bush league" move then and I don't care what she does or doesn't do now.

If that is all you remember of a player then perhaps you soured on MJ when he failed at baseball. However, maybe you should see her basketball acumen and perhaps note that Popovich hired her on that basis, as well as her ability to relate and teach adult men the game on its highest level.

 

[mntncougar]

I'm sorry but I'm really lost. Who is Becky Hammond and why is she of such interest to the BY?

 

[iamcbs]

If that is all you remember of a player then perhaps you soured on MJ when he failed at baseball. However, maybe you should see her basketball acumen and perhaps note that Popovich hired her on that basis, as well as her ability to relate and teach adult men the game on its highest level.

Or maybe it was just a publicity stunt?

 

[Orangutan]

Or maybe it was just a publicity stunt?

At this point, it's a heckuva long running publicity stunt, if it is one.

(it so plainly isn't)

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

• Experience as a Head Coach: None.
• Experience coaching Women's Basketball: None.
• Experience recruiting: None.
• Experience dealing with the NCAA as a coach: None.

I wouldn't be the first person to say that coaching Men is different than coaching Women, but going from the NBA to College Women...there is simply no comparison that can reasonably be made. Good players don't necessarily make good coaches. I just can't see what Florida sees in her, apart from a chance to make a big publicity splash (see Louisiana Tech 2014).

Maybe she will make it right off the bat, maybe she'll struggle for a few years figuring it out before her team sets the NCAA afire, maybe she'll be gone in four years...far, far too much conjecture involved to be worth considering.

 

[oldude]

Or maybe it was just a publicity stunt?

Anyone who knows anything about Coach Popovich, knows that publicity is the last thing he's concerned with. After her playing days were over, Becky Hammon spent months working for Pop in what amounted to an unpaid internship.

Based on her work ethic and knowledge, Pop offered her a job as an Assistant Coach with the Spurs. She was subsequently named the HC of the Spurs NBA Summer League team which won the league championship.

By all indications from both the Spurs players and coaches, Hammon has a great basketball mind and is an excellent communicator.

 

[UcMiami]

• Experience as a Head Coach: None. Coaching men's NBA summer league to championship
• Experience coaching Women's Basketball: None.
• Experience recruiting: None.
• Experience dealing with the NCAA as a coach: None.
• Experience as an assistant coach: three years as assistant coach on Greg Popovich's Spurs team (first full time assistant in the NBA)

I wouldn't be the first person to say that coaching Men is different than coaching Women, but going from the NBA to College Women...there is simply no comparison that can reasonably be made. Good players don't necessarily make good coaches. I just can't see what Florida sees in her, apart from a chance to make a big publicity splash (see Louisiana Tech 2014).

Maybe she will make it right off the bat, maybe she'll struggle for a few years figuring it out before her team sets the NCAA afire, maybe she'll be gone in four years...far, far too much conjecture involved to be worth considering.

Fixed it for you.
Pretty much every person who has worked with her has been impressed, so she is a hot name as a prospect for coaching openings not just at Florida. And you reasoning for her being a four year hire is?

 

[BobbyJ]

Fixed it for you.
Pretty much every person who has worked with her has been impressed, so she is a hot name as a prospect for coaching openings not just at Florida. And you reasoning for her being a four year hire is?

I agree UcMiami, if she can get her kind of kids at Florida or any big money school like that she'll have them close or in the top 20 in 2 years. At Tennessee, top 5-10 in maybe 2 years. She's real smart and disciplined.

 

[mdakota]

All I remember about Becky Hammond is that she wasn't good enough to make the U. S. Olympic Women's BB Team in 2008, so she got some kind of exemption and played for Russia. It was a "bush league" move then and I don't care what she does or doesn't do now.

I'm pretty sure she doesn't care what you do or don't do either... so negative....

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

"Coaching men's NBA summer league to championship." I meant a long-term program commitment, not a short term excursion. There is a big difference between running practices/games and building a program and managing it.

My point is that she has done nothing to prove that she is worth the risk, while there are many, many coaches out there with a wealth of experiences that are a significantly better investment. She is a huge gamble; maybe a good gamble (like Auriemma) maybe not.

Assuming that she'd be good at something that she has never done simply because she has done something similar isn't reasonable.

 

[UcMiami]

"Coaching men's NBA summer league to championship." I meant a long-term program commitment, not a short term excursion. There is a big difference between running practices/games and building a program and managing it.

My point is that she has done nothing to prove that she is worth the risk, while there are many, many coaches out there with a wealth of experiences that are a significantly better investment. She is a huge gamble; maybe a good gamble (like Auriemma) maybe not.

Assuming that she'd be good at something that she has never done simply because she has done something similar isn't reasonable.

So you would fall into the 'anybody but Shea' camp for replacing Geno when he retires because she has definitely never been a head coach of a major or even minor program? Bring back Jamelle or Jen who have that proven ability?

 

[msf22b]

All I remember about Becky Hammond is that she wasn't good enough to make the U. S. Olympic Women's BB Team in 2008, so she got some kind of exemption and played for Russia. It was a "bush league" move then and I don't care what she does or doesn't do now.

Hard to say she wasn't good enough.
She was plenty good; just not invited.
And she'll be a heck of a coach
indeed is one already.

 

[BigBird]

Becky Hammon would be outstanding as a college coach, methinks. Her dedication to the game should not be questioned. And the olympics/Russia bit is a "red" herring.

 

[oldude]

"Coaching men's NBA summer league to championship." I meant a long-term program commitment, not a short term excursion. There is a big difference between running practices/games and building a program and managing it.

My point is that she has done nothing to prove that she is worth the risk, while there are many, many coaches out there with a wealth of experiences that are a significantly better investment. She is a huge gamble; maybe a good gamble (like Auriemma) maybe not.

Assuming that she'd be good at something that she has never done simply because she has done something similar isn't reasonable.

Not sure why you're so adamantly opposed to Becky Hammon as FL's next HC. She knows WBB inside out. She was a star pg at CO St, undrafted free agent who played 15 seasons in the WNBA and 6 time Allstar. Also a star internationally.

Most importantly, she spent the last 3 seasons working for Greg Popovich, one of the best basketball coaches in the world, and the current USA men's Olympic coach. Pop is considered to be one of the best teachers of the game, so much so that Geno sought him out last year to spend a week in San Antonio talking basketball and learning.

Frankly, I think Hammon's resume is outstanding. She would be a great hire in Gainesville.

 

[BobbyJ]

"Coaching men's NBA summer league to championship." I meant a long-term program commitment, not a short term excursion. There is a big difference between running practices/games and building a program and managing it.

My point is that she has done nothing to prove that she is worth the risk, while there are many, many coaches out there with a wealth of experiences that are a significantly better investment. She is a huge gamble; maybe a good gamble (like Auriemma) maybe not.

Assuming that she'd be good at something that she has never done simply because she has done something similar isn't reasonable.

Yeah, I can see where you'd need somebody with 20 years of experience like Warlick at Tennessee. Hammon has forgotten more than many of the coaches in Div. 1 have ever known. Like Hillsman at Syracuse.