Coaching changes 2020

[southie]

But White could not deliver the goods in the world series. They flopped every year and froze up because he put so much pressure on them. I guess if conference championships and a Bobby Knight style is what you want more power to everyone.

We get it. You hate Mike White.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

We get it. You hate Mike White.

I found Oregon under White one of the few PAC programs I could not root for as a conference mate. UCLA and ASU are the other 2. And it wasn't ASU back in the day when Myers was there.

Will never root for UCLA softball, by the way. Can't do it.

I don't know why we didn't like White, but we didn't. Historically, we have rooted for Texas (family in the area) but I just couldn't do it with White there.

 

[Figurehead]

I found Oregon under White one of the few PAC programs I could not root for as a conference mate. UCLA and ASU are the other 2. And it wasn't ASU back in the day when Myers was there.

Will never root for UCLA softball, by the way. Can't do it.

I don't know why we didn't like White, but we didn't. Historically, we have rooted for Texas (family in the area) but I just couldn't do it with White there.

Southie won't pull the pitching stats of Oregon teams in the WCWS. Miranda English, Cheridan Hawkins and Megan Kliest would freeze up and opposing ptchers hit on them like batting machine. The reason why, well White's applying maximum pressure on them melted their confidence come WCWS time.

So here it is to paying a coach for conference championships when he has not proved himself ever on the big stage.

 

[southie]

Southie won't pull the pitching stats of Oregon teams in the WCWS. Miranda English, Cheridan Hawkins and Megan Kliest would freeze up and opposing ptchers hit on them like batting machine. The reason why, well White's applying maximum pressure on them melted their confidence come WCWS time.

So here it is to paying a coach for conference championships when he has not proved himself ever on the big stage.

I find it confusing that you continually want to dog a softball coach here on the UConn women's basketball message board; makes no sense. Don't make this about me. It's about you and your agenda. Plain and simple. Don't drag me into your obsession.

 

[southie]

FWIW, there is absolutely zero love lost between Mike White and Stanford, too. There were allegations he helped get our former coach John Rittman fired. White's daughter played for Stanford softball and left the team, and there were allegations he was involved in the movement of players and parents seeking Rittman's ouster.

So KnightBridgeAZ ain't the only one who thinks White can take a long walk off a short pier. And not sure how much you pay attention to it, but the General board often has side-threads on other women's college sports like Volleyball and Soccer. Sometimes there are even threads on pro tennis. World's not going to end just because we talk about other sports from time to time.

I am not here to argue/discuss the Texas (former Oregon) softball head coach on the UConn women's basketball message board. IMO, it's completely disrespectful to those who are on here to enjoy discussion about women's hoops.

I must have have misunderstood the title of this thread, and its intended purpose.

Here's a link to a softball collegiate forum where you can discuss Mike White ad nauseam:

Human Verification

 

[DefenseBB]

Ok, so now that the little sidebar of PAC12 softball is over (which I did enjoy as a huge softball fan and maybe we could start our own private chat as some good nuggets were brought up), who besides ANYONE in the PAC12 does @southie think UT will talk with. Also, BC's coach is NOT in her first year at BC. Here's her bio from Wiki

Joanna Bernabei-McNamee - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Personally, not sure that would be a good hire at Texas as she does not know the HS circles there. Could suffer the same issues that Gail did. The Big12 is not a good WCBB Conference and the #2 position should be Texas. There is NO WAY that I think Texas will ever supplant Baylor as along as Kim Mulkey is there but #2 and a regular visits to the Top 10 should be expected.
Thoughts?

 

[G-Dawg]

Intriguing development in Natchitoches.

Newly hired Northwestern State head coach Missy Bilderback has decided not to take the position after all.

Bilderback steps aside as NSU women's basketball coach - Northwestern State University Athletics

NATCHITOCHES – Missy Bilderback has chosen to not remain the Northwestern State women's basketball head coach, Director of Athletics Greg Burke announced Friday.

nsudemons.com

Her husband is a very successful HS football coach, her dad retired from coaching a few years back. And all of her family is from the Hattiesburg area. Everything that happened with this virus made her rethink family and being close to the ones you love. Hate it for NSU, but she made a personal decision.

 

[azfan]

Who though? I can't see Barnes leaving Arizona just as she's built the program into a solid top team, Rueck leaving OSU (he's a native Oregonian and not a Texas type at all), Graves leaving Oregon (they CAN pay), Tara leaving Stanford, or Close leaving UCLA. Beyond those, other than maybe CTT, I don't see who's an attractive get?

I'd be surprised if CTT would leave for any job but Stanford. She continues to have ties to Tempe and is building a legacy here.

 

[southie]

I'd be surprised if CTT would leave for any job but Stanford. She continues to have ties to Tempe and is building a legacy here.

She was a candidate for the Texas job prior to the hiring of Goestenkors back in 2012. Not sure if she ever interviewed for the job, though. But, the local media did report her as a serious candidate (but, that is open to interpretation).

 

[nwhoopfan]

This is just random thinking on my part, but to me CTT leaving seems more likely than Barnes or Rueck (not sure about Close?). She's been at ASU for quite a while and has probably done as much as she can there. Rueck is trending upward in recruiting in recent years and can probably still improve the program overall. Barnes is just getting things rolling at UA. Even if she's tempted to leave, it might be a matter of bad timing. Heading into McDonald's Sr. year after she decided to come back, with a bunch of momentum building in Tucson, just seems like the wrong year to try to pry her away.

 

[Plebe]

I don't think Texas should go hard after Close or CTT. Even though both have done pretty well at their respective programs, neither would be a particularly good fit for UT or a significant net improvement over Aston IMHO. I'd rather see the job go to a promising mid-major HC or a longtime AC from an elite program before either of them.

 

[southie]

I don't think Texas should go hard after Close or CTT. Even though both have done pretty well at their respective programs, neither would be a particularly good fit for UT or a significant net improvement over Aston IMHO. I'd rather see the job go to a promising mid-major HC or a longtime AC from an elite program before either of them.

Karen Aston was the mid-major experiment (having coached a couple of years at UNC-Charlotte, and one season at North Texas). That's not happening again, IMO.

 

[Plebe]

Karen Aston was the mid-major experiment (having coached a couple of years at UNC-Charlotte, and one season at North Texas). That's not happening again, IMO.

The mid-major experiment? Many of the top coaches in the game were previously HCs at mid-majors -- including such obscure names as Muffet McGraw, Dawn Staley, Gary Blair and Kelly Graves.

She was modestly successful in her four years at Charlotte, but her primary credential IMO was her history as a longtime assistant under Jody and her familiarity with Texas recruiting circles. Her one NCAA tournament appearance and three WNIT appearances at Charlotte were not what got her the job, IMO.

 

[southie]

The mid-major experiment? Many of the top coaches in the game were previously HCs at mid-majors -- including such obscure names as Muffet McGraw, Dawn Staley, Gary Blair and Kelly Graves.

And, those hires worked out for those schools. Texas' recent hire of a mid-major head coach did not work out, and that's with her having come with familiarity with UT and recruiting ties within the state.

New athletic director, Chris Del Conte, has made two new head coaching hires in his 2 year tenure at Texas. In June 2018, he hired Oregon's Mike White to lead the softball program, and Kentucky's Edrick Floreal to lead the men's and women's Track & Field / Cross Country programs. Those two coaches were hired away from Power 5 conference schools. So, if you want to use a precedent for his hiring strategy while at Texas, that's what it's been so far.

 

[Plebe]

And, those hires worked out for those schools. Texas' recent hire of a mid-major head coach did not work out, and that's with her having come with familiarity with UT and recruiting ties within the state.

New athletic director, Chris Del Conte, has made two new head coaching hires in his 2 year tenure at Texas. In June 2018, he hired Oregon's Mike White to lead the softball program, and Kentucky's Edrick Floreal to lead the men's and women's Track & Field / Cross Country programs. Those two coaches were hired away from Power 5 conference schools. So, if you want to use a precedent for his hiring strategy while at Texas, that's what it's been so far.

That's fine. I'm simply saying that not every "power 5" conference coach is worth going after. To me Close and CTT are in that category.

 

[southie]

That's fine. I'm simply saying that not every "power 5" conference coach is worth going after. To me Close and CTT are in that category.

Fair enough.

I like Cori Close for so many different reasons. I agree with those who state that she might not be among the best X's and O's coaches out there, but every realistic candidate will come with question marks / flaws.

 

[Striper69]

I'm disappointed that Brit Langley wasn't renewed but the Summit League is a very tough league. I think the UNO Mavs have the best arena in the league though and if they get the right players they can get fan interest up like the Creighton Bluejay men's team has done.

 

[Plebe]

Fair enough.

I like Cori Close for so many different reasons. I agree with those who state that she might not be among the best X's and O's coaches out there, but every realistic candidate will come with question marks / flaws.

Every hire comes with risks. Goestenkors was probably the closest thing to a sure thing in the history of WCBB coaching hires -- and she flopped.

Me personally, I'd take the promise-risk ratio of a Fortier or Smesko before a Close or CTT. But I respect your right to disagree.

 

[domerduck]

Every hire comes with risks. Goestenkors was probably the closest thing to a sure thing in the history of WCBB coaching hires -- and she flopped.

Me personally, I'd take the promise-risk ratio of a Fortier or Smesko before a Close or CTT. But I respect your right to disagree.

Texas needs a big personality to take on Kim. Mike White did that for them to take on Patty Gasso of Oklahoma. Both JTT and Cori Close have that personality factor from the PAC12. As for other PAC12 coaches,, Scott and Adi aren't leaving their alma maters, although they may leverage a discussion to get a better salary. I doubt Graves would leave no matter the money given what he's built, although I am sure he'd take a raise too. Tara's not leaving and the other 6 don't make as big an impact as JTT or Close. If it' a PAC12, it's one of those 2 or possibly Gottlieb (ex Cal HC) leaving the NBA to get back to college.

I don't know who else make sense, but I don't think Fortier has that as much personality for Texas although I like her as a coach. I don't know Smesko.

 

[Plebe]

Texas needs a big personality to take on Kim. Mike White did that for them to take on Patty Gasso of Oklahoma. Both JTT and Cori Close have that personality factor from the PAC12. As for other PAC12 coaches,, Scott and Adi aren't leaving their alma maters, although they may leverage a discussion to get a better salary. I doubt Graves would leave no matter the money given what he's built, although I am sure he'd take a raise too. Tara's not leaving and the other 6 don't make as big an impact as JTT or Close. If it' a PAC12, it's one of those 2 or possibly Gottlieb (ex Cal HC) leaving the NBA to get back to college.

I don't know who else make sense, but I don't think Fortier has that as much personality for Texas although I like her as a coach. I don't know Smesko.

It's a basketball game, not a popularity or ratings contest. They need a competent coach who can recruit and develop players, implement a system, and coach in game.

I wouldn't describe Scott Rueck as being Mr. Big Personality, but he is 2-0 against Mulkey, both times as an underdog. Let her be the one to throw jackets and act a fool.

 

[TheFarmFan]

For what it's worth, California Governor Gavin Newsom is not, at present, operating under the assumption that fall sports like NFL, MLB, and college football, will be resuming as normal.



As for off-season coaching and staffing searches, my two cents would be that ADs are not operating under the assumption that their fall sports operations will be resuming as normal, or are at least starting to budget for that possibility and hedging all bets where possible.

And really: since basically every business and non-profit in the country is adjusting their budget on the assumption of vastly reduced revenue over the next 6-18 months, why wouldn't university ADs also?

 

[Plebe]

For what it's worth, California Governor Gavin Newsom is not, at present, operating under the assumption that fall sports like NFL, MLB, and college football, will be resuming as normal.



As for off-season coaching and staffing searches, my two cents would be that ADs are not operating under the assumption that their fall sports operations will be resuming as normal, or are at least starting to budget for that possibility and hedging all bets where possible.

And really: since basically every business and non-profit in the country is adjusting their budget on the assumption of vastly reduced revenue over the next 6-18 months, why wouldn't university ADs also?

Newsom Shmewsom. If Dabo Swinney says he's 100% convinced football season is a go, that's all I need to know

 

[azfan]

For what it's worth, California Governor Gavin Newsom is not, at present, operating under the assumption that fall sports like NFL, MLB, and college football, will be resuming as normal.



As for off-season coaching and staffing searches, my two cents would be that ADs are not operating under the assumption that their fall sports operations will be resuming as normal, or are at least starting to budget for that possibility and hedging all bets where possible.

And really: since basically every business and non-profit in the country is adjusting their budget on the assumption of vastly reduced revenue over the next 6-18 months, why wouldn't university ADs also?

I've wondered about the thinking of many ADs over the years. A number seem disconnected from the broader economic environment in which college sports operates. A case in point....the PAC12 and it's "network".

That said, the economic challenge facing the US and the world will most certainly impact college athletics for years to come. ADs will all face a much reduced revenue stream.

 

[TheFarmFan]

I've wondered about the thinking of many ADs over the years. A number seem disconnected from the broader economic environment in which college sports operates. A case in point....the PAC12 and it's "network".

That said, the economic challenge facing the US and the world will most certainly impact college athletics for years to come. ADs will all face a much reduced revenue stream.

I agree with you, and have found that universities in general tend to defy ordinary economic logics, both ADs and central campuses. However, Stanford's provost just announced hiring freezes, salary freezes, pay cuts for senior staff, and a suspension of all capital outlays (i.e. new buildings). I would be shocked if the athletic department isn't also making major adjustments going forward, since at the moment, roughly 50% of Stanford's revenue is contingent on the resumption of ordinary sporting events. That amount is much higher at many schools. And I suspect most donors are going to have to scale back their giving this year. And Stanford has the fourth largest endowment in the world, and is not dependent on the state for revenue.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

And along those lines - it remains as has been variously mentioned - are folks going to go and sit in a stadium crowd? At this point, the idea doesn't thrill me. I'm not sure I want to push through a crowd of folks or sit next to someone I don't know unless we are virtually certain that the virus is eradicated (and there is no idea that it will be or that there will be vaccines so soon).

 

[WestsideWaltz]

Gottlieb was in hot water at Cal during her final few seasons for her w/l record and poor recruiting. It's just not logical that Texas would consider her when she was falling in the Pac. Smesko was almost hired at USC but they lowballed the offer and he withdrew. Close is popular with almost everyone but the Bruins fans who feel she has underachieved with her roster. She had the #1 class several years back and won the NIT with them the first year and finished year four with the class in the Elite 8. On the other hand, she's been arguably the most successful UCLA wbb coach ever and is popular with everyone else from Administration to the ushers at Pauley Pavilion. She is pretty much adored by her team. The money would be better at Texas but the pressure would be much greater as well. She replaced Nikki Caldwell Fargas who learned the hard way that money brings immediate expectations. True or not, she was rumored to be interviewing with both TT and Virginia so I don't think a Texas offer would be declined.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Is Mississippi St. a Pac 12 school? Will @southie be doing any backtracking now? Vic Schaefer to Texas per various twitter postings.

 

[domerduck]

Is Mississippi St. a Pac 12 school? Will @southie be doing any backtracking now? Vic Schaefer to Texas per various twitter postings.

Well Miss state had to pay a lot more money to bring Leach from the PAC12 for their football so they couldn't counter for Vic. The PAC12 still helped Texas get their coach. Good news for us PAC12 WBB fans, we keep all our good coaches and SEC gets even worse.

 

[JDuro]

Well Miss state had to pay a lot more money to bring Leach from the PAC12 for their football so they couldn't counter for Vic. The PAC12 still helped Texas get their coach. Good news for us PAC12 WBB fans, we keep all our good coaches and SEC gets even worse.

 

[domerduck]

I forgot how much money the SEC has. Smart they tried to keep him but I guess it didn't work. Still happy we didn't lose a PAC12 coach.