Early Coaching Hotseat Edition | Page 11 | The Boneyard

Early Coaching Hotseat Edition

Vowelguy said:
Season has been over for a week for P4 hotseaters and still just 6. Plus no representatives from the B12 (or BgE).

Open P4 Jobs (68 positions)
  1. Northwestern
  2. BC
  3. Rutgers
  4. Pitt
  5. PennSt
  6. Florida

TBD
season done: Wake, FSU / Cinci, UCF / Pur
waitg 4 bid: Cal / Nebr / MissSt, TAMU / KSt, Kan
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Well, Rutgers went lickety-spik quick, primarily because of the connections between administration and coach from LSU days. And that was interesting because I thought they -- along with Pitt -- might have the hardest time finding someone.

BC and Penn State waited years and stretched many a dollar before finally moving on from coaches. In Penn State's case, that's at a place that fired a football coach in the middle of the season and then took forever to find a new one, even with the benefit of that time. So who knows what pace they're going at?

Sometimes I have candidates in mind for a position, but this time I find I have questions more than anything
  • Are there are candidates currently involved in preparations for the NCAA that are under consideration?
  • Will BC and Pitt put the money into programs to make them competitive. The schools can field excellent women's teams (see Pitt's volleyball team, BC's lacrosse team), but women's hoops is a grade up in money's needed.
  • How will Northwestern go? The facilities were upgraded just before the pandemic and Uncle Joe Mckeown had a good run with the Veronica Burton-led teams, but he then hung around too long and burrowed them back under eyesight. Will the AD be able to lure in a coach and supply him/her with some funding to build a base?
 
OK, here's a thought now that Nebraska ousted Richmond 75-56 behind a 17-0 run in the third quarter:

Richmond Coach Aaron Roussell has led Richmond (26-8) to 26-plus wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance in each of the past three seasons. The Spiders made their sixth tournament appearance and earned their second consecutive at-large bid.

Could/Should he be considered for a HC position?
Given that his program's best player ever -- Maggie Doogan -- is leaving for the WNBA, this might be a good time to consider other positions (while he's on top). On the other hand, Richmond might be giving him everything he needs, both from a professional and/personal perspective.

He's had two solid stretches at Bucknell and now Richmond, but he's from the Midwest and also has a stint in Chicago.
Could he be interested in Northwestern? On the other hand, a lot of Northeast athletes of varying competencies like to play for southern schools like Richmond....or Florida.
 
I've been able to see more of Richmond than most, as they're shown six or so times a year on one of the local (DC) sports channels. I've thought for a couple of years that Roussell is a really god coach. He's still in his 40's, so I think it's likely he'll get a P4 job in the next few years. Richmond and Bucknell are two really strong academic institutions, so Northwestern might not be a huge change for him recruiting-wise.
 
.-.
Not a firing but Rick Insell at MTSU is retiring. His son Matt is taking over. Junior was at Ole Miss as HC for five years and accomplished little before being fired and Coach Yo taking over.

MTSU has been a decent mid major over the years. Hopefully he's learned from his dad and can keep them competitive.
 
Stagnant said:
Tennessee has a decision to make. They should at least look at the buyout and they should put together a list and see if there are any viable replacements.
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I say she gets one more year but probably shouldn’t. Of course I thought the same thing about Harper and was wrong.

This team was a disaster all around. Caldwell has the ultimate responsibility for the program. She will have to make some changes if she sticks and hope some good portal additions arrive to replace the losses.

If she goes, the AD better darn well have a ringer ready to go. And despite what some fans think it won’t be one of the big 4 or 5 names.
 
MSSportsGuy said:
If she goes, the AD better darn well have a ringer ready to go. And despite what some fans think it won’t be one of the big 4 or 5 names.
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I have no idea what the Tennessee AD is going to do, especially after giving Coach Caldwell a full-throated vote of confidence a few weeks ago. It may come down to who they lose in the portal and if any recruits try to get released from their commitments. The fan theories I've heard most often are that she'll get another year to see if things improve or that Tennessee will throw a huge amount of money at Jeff Walz to lure him away from Louisville. (I think the latter rests on the assumption that Geno, Dawn, Vic, and Kim aren't going anywhere.)

But I'm curious why—as someone who knows way more about the SEC than I do—you think it won't be one of the big 4 or 5 names if they hire a new coach. Do you have some potential ringers in mind?

Whatever happens next, I hope the situation in Knoxville improves for all parties involved. Whatever one thought of Pat Summitt's style—and it wasn't for everyone—she helped legitimize and elevate women’s basketball. She started coaching in an era when women’s programs had far fewer resources, and her success helped make the sport more visible and respected nationally. On top of that, she built sustained excellence over 38 seasons. And she cared about players as students, not only athletes. Her legacy deserves to be honored, and I hope the AD's choices do that.
 
Jonathan14 said:
I have no idea what the Tennessee AD is going to do, especially after giving Coach Caldwell a full-throated vote of confidence a few weeks ago. It may come down to who they lose in the portal and if any recruits try to get released from their commitments. The fan theories I've heard most often are that she'll get another year to see if things improve or that Tennessee will throw a huge amount of money at Jeff Walz to lure him away from Louisville. (I think the latter rests on the assumption that Geno, Dawn, Vic, and Kim aren't going anywhere.)

But I'm curious why—as someone who knows way more about the SEC than I do—you think it won't be one of the big 4 or 5 names if they hire a new coach. Do you have some potential ringers in mind?

Whatever happens next, I hope the situation in Knoxville improves for all parties involved. Whatever one thought of Pat Summitt's style—and it wasn't for everyone—she helped legitimize and elevate women’s basketball. She started coaching in an era when women’s programs had far fewer resources, and her success helped make the sport more visible and respected nationally. On top of that, she built sustained excellence over 38 seasons. And she cared about players as students, not only athletes. Her legacy deserves to be honored, and I hope the AD's choices do that.
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I may have phrased my earlier post incorrectly. I think most sensible fans know Dawn, Kim, Vic aren’t going anywhere. When the fans grew discontent with Warlick and Harper, some would throw those names around as who should get the job, insisting the AD should make the call and throw money at the problem. Thats what I mean by the top names not going there. Kara and Shea are two relatively young names who aren’t possibilities either. Walz? Maybe, but highly unlikely at this point in his career.

I was a Pat and LVs fan who recognize her contribution to the sport and world of women’s basketball. I’d love to see them get back in the national conversation. What’s frustrating to many is Warlick and Harper, while not world beaters, had some success but just not at the level the fans and alumni expect. Now? They aren’t even close to those teams and seem to be stuck with someone who isn’t up to the job.

Unless White has someone terrific lined up then Caldwell is probably back but that risks having another lost year that just removes them even more from the national conversation.
 
.-.
A few salient points to consider:
The contract has ~$4 mil left on it, if she is let go before April 1, they owe her all the money, if the wait until after, they owe only 50% of that.
The portal opens April 6.
Impassioned fans want her gone but I highly doubt that Danny White, the AD will fire her after 2 years and the #2 ranked player committed to come next year.
The damage is already monumental but paying $2 mil to buy her out plus another $1.5-2 mil per year to get another coach and be able to sign portal players is not a feasible situation by mid April.
Caldwell has the same issue as Holly Warlick, she could recruit good players but those players did not playas a team or within the system as well as needed for elite success. Kellie Harper could coach but could not recruit elite talent and also fell way short of expectations.
With Vic, Kim, Dawn and now Jennie B, Shea, Kenny B in the league, the LVs will need an experienced coach from somewhere.
In my opinion that is not happening this year. The prevailing thought will be to reload with more portal players, try to retain the bulk of the underclassman and see if the results get better…they won’t but they will think this.
 
Robin Harmony, HC of Charleston and a Pennsylvania native, named HC of Pittsburgh Panthers
According to the attached press release: "A native of Hershey, Pa., Harmony brings a proven track record of success, totaling 369 career victories across 19 seasons as head coach. Most recently, Harmony guided the College of Charleston to a historic 2025-26 campaign, capturing both the program's first-ever CAA regular-season and tournament championships."

Harmony seems to be one of those coaching lifers who has successfully coached and then moved on from one school to another. I've noted how College of Charleston and Lamar have done over the years without really digging into who has been behind it.
Well, now we'll see if she can move up in class and get a program that has been underperforming for years.

pittsburghpanthers.com

Robin Harmony Named Head Coach of Pitt Women's Basketball Program - Pitt Panthers #H2P

The University of Pittsburgh has named Robin Harmony as the 11 th head coach of its women's basketball program, Director of Athletics Allen Greene announced ...
pittsburghpanthers.com pittsburghpanthers.com
 
Last edited:
Dillon77 said:
Robin Harmony, HC of Charleston and a Pennsylvania native, named HC of Pittsburgh Panthers
According to the attached press release: "A native of Hershey, Pa., Harmony brings a proven track record of success, totaling 369 career victories across 19 seasons as head coach. Most recently, Harmony guided the College of Charleston to a historic 2025-26 campaign, capturing both the program's first-ever CAA regular-season and tournament championships."

Harmony seems to be one of those coaching lifers who has successfully coached and then moved on from one school to another. I've noted how College of Charleston and Lamar have done over the years without really digging into who has been behind it.
Well, now we'll see if she can move up in class and get a program that has been underperforming for years.

pittsburghpanthers.com

Robin Harmony Named Head Coach of Pitt Women's Basketball Program - Pitt Panthers #H2P

The University of Pittsburgh has named Robin Harmony as the 11 th head coach of its women's basketball program, Director of Athletics Allen Greene announced ...
pittsburghpanthers.com pittsburghpanthers.com
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Wow, she has a tough row to hoe. The last three coaches have gone 40-161 in conference and had one season out of 12 with more than 5 conference wins. That's not all bad coaching, it's a lack of institutional support.
 
Bigboote said:
Wow, she has a tough row to hoe. The last three coaches have gone 40-161 in conference and had one season out of 12 with more than 5 conference wins. That's not all bad coaching, it's a lack of institutional support.
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Absolutely. When I use "program," I use that to refer to it being something that is part of the university.
I'm utterly convinced that programs at Pitt and BC are not fully supported by their respective institutions. A coach, as superhuman an effort that he/she may give, can only do so much; particularly in these days of NIL.

Hopefully, (relatively new) Pitt AD Greene will get more support to Harmony. In the interim, I'll bet she looks at players she recruited at Charleston that have done well at that level who might want to give it a go in the ACC.

In the meantime, let's see in what direction BC goes.
 
Somebody will need to check on DefenseBB after this...

Florida just hired Rhode Island's Tammi Reiss to become the head coach of the Gators. This comes after Reiss got Rhode Island to the ACC where they played a very competitive game against Alabama for awhile. She''s got some talent -- if it stays -- in Gainesville.
Plus, with the connections she's forged in New England and the East Coast, I'm sure still start coaxing players to come down to Florida.
Speaking of the north, that leaves Boston College and Northwestern open for business.


www.usatoday.com

Florida hires Rhode Island's Tammi Reiss as women's basketball coach

Tammi Reiss will be the next women's basketball coach at Florida. A former Virginia teammate of Dawn Staley, Reiss will coach against her in the SEC.
www.usatoday.com www.usatoday.com
 
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Dillon77 said:
Somebody will need to check on DefenseBB after this...

Florida just hired Rhode Island's Tammi Reiss to become the head coach of the Gators. This comes after Reiss got Rhode Island to the ACC where they played a very competitive game against Alabama for awhile. She''s got some talent -- if it stays -- in Gainesville.
Plus, with the connections she's forged in New England and the East Coast, I'm sure still start coaxing players to come down to Florida.
Speaking of the north, that leaves Boston College and Northwestern open for business.


www.usatoday.com

Florida hires Rhode Island's Tammi Reiss as women's basketball coach

Tammi Reiss will be the next women's basketball coach at Florida. A former Virginia teammate of Dawn Staley, Reiss will coach against her in the SEC.
www.usatoday.com www.usatoday.com
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Crap. I was afraid they'd get someone good, and that seems to be just what they did. I think coach Reiss and the Florida program will thrive together. Also, I think she could have a personality that Liv McGill could connect with, and that's gonna be crucial for the new coach.

Looking at Northwestern, I can't understand why they aren't moving mountains to get Bart Brooks from Belmont. He has tons of private school experience and is a proven winner who usually has his teams competing with Power 4 schools with much less talent. More importantly, he spent years under the tutelage of Doug Bruno at DePaul. He seems to be a natural fit for the culture at Northwestern, and not many are.

Selfishly, I don't want him to leave. I'm a Belmont fan and watch all of their games. But, if Northwestern is willing to make a commitment to women's basketball, and I'm not sure they are, I would have to be happy for him. Everything I've ever seen, read or heard about him is positive, so when he moves on, I'd love to see him set up with a fair chance of success.
 
Angry Inside Out GIF by Disney Pixar
 
Any chance Kevin McGuff departs on the heels of the DWI last year and 4th home-court NCAA loss since 2018, including now 3 consecutive years?
 
BigTenGuy said:
Any chance Kevin McGuff departs on the heels of the DWI last year and 4th home-court NCAA loss since 2018, including now 3 consecutive years?
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Yikes. That's something I hadn't considered. Too early to say right now.
 
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