Future UCONN coach (merged threads)

[BroadwayVa]

interesting choice..I think her goal is to become an NBA coach.....do you think she would be interested in the UConn job?

If she can get Geno's pay, why not? Becky is one tough and determined lady. Standing on the outside looking in; she could be the right choice--however it may be different looking from the inside.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Liking everything you said except that you'd be dead by then....

YUK! Have you not read about the A.I. software that extracts brain data, transfers this to a "cloud" and then injects this data, you, into a robot? No SiFi, it is now being worked towards. (much like cryogenics--) Where there is life ; there is hope.

 

[BroadwayVa]

The only problem with that is Berube has said several times that she is very happy in her current position and that she has no desire to coach elsewhere.

The other problem is that being a successful DIII coach doesn't necessarily equate to being successful coach at the UConn level.

Your first assumption, she won't leave. How many Div1 coaches have ranted they'd never leave--then leave? Quite a few.
On the second assumption, possibly true, possibly not; it won't happen until it does happen. Sometimes the "gift" is within the individual and not the circumstance they find themselves in. Never say never.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I use to think that Carla Berube was a natural fit, but she has been at Tufts for 16 years. Last Spring she took on the U16 USA squad and was marveling at the kids size and athleticism. I'll bet, because by in large that is not what she coaches at Tuft and not what she coaches against. I have no doubt that Carla has a fine basketball mind,but what AD would gamble on handing the premier wcbb program to a Div. III coach? Perhaps the U16 assignment was prepping her to move on and up to Div I, but time is a wasting. Shea is, of course, the most likely inside contender and outsiders?? You gotta have brass cajones or a kevlar corset to want to step into those loafers.

 

[Bliss]

Who?

Shea

 

[Charliebball]

YUK! Have you not read about the A.I. software that extracts brain data, transfers this to a "cloud" and then injects this data, you, into a robot? No SiFi, it is now being worked towards. (much like cryogenics--) Where there is life ; there is hope.

I've been told that my brain is already in the clouds

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Kia would be a fantastic coach, but not the next one--too soon. Much as I love Jen, I'm thinking her teammate is the next UConn coach:

View attachment 26796

I hate to say it... but Geno retires after DT retires from the WNBA... DT takes a position at UCONN for a year or two... She becomes the head coach and Suzie comes and takes over for Chris

 

[bags27]

I hate to say it... but Geno retires after DT retires from the WNBA... DT takes a position at UCONN for a year or two... She becomes the head coach and Suzie comes and takes over for Chris

D has never liked Storrs (separate from UConn). Has said it repeatedly. Wouldn't live there. And she's married to a woman from Australia.

 

[Charliebball]

D has never liked Storrs (separate from UConn). Has said it
repeatedly. Wouldn't live there. And she's married to a woman from Australia.

I hear Storrs is already clearing land for a kangaroo ranch.............

 

[BroadwayVa]

I've been told that my brain is already in the clouds

Obviously knows my wife--sometimes the clouds sometimes much lower.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I hear Storrs is already clearing land for a kangaroo ranch...

Yep they are out there working as we speak---in the Out Back. Mate-E

 

[Charliebball]

Yep they are out there working as we speak---in the Out Back. Mate-E

that's right next to the Outback Steakhouse...........

 

[BroadwayVa]

I use to think that Carla Berube was a natural fit, but she has been at Tufts for 16 years. Last Spring she took on the U16 USA squad and was marveling at the kids size and athleticism. I'll bet, because by in large that is not what she coaches at Tuft and not what she coaches against. I have no doubt that Carla has a fine basketball mind,but what AD would gamble on handing the premier wcbb program to a Div. III coach? Perhaps the U16 assignment was prepping her to move on and up to Div I, but time is a wasting. Shea is, of course, the most likely inside contender and outsiders?? You gotta have brass cajones or a kevlar corset to want to step into those loafers.

I suspect Tuffs is more like the Uconn when Carla was a player. Why would anyone want an exotic fruit or my mower belt in their loafers???
Not that I'd nominate Ms Berube, apparently of French Canadian heritage (saw the name in archives), could be the individual that KNOWs BB enough to coach at any level--the politics, finances, and ability to recruit could be a hindrance for someone not attuned to that life, Geno and the system grew together otherwise I'd make the case that Geno didn't have that experience initially either. UVA wasn't Uconn when he left. We have seen in recent year top star athlete-WBB players who failed as coaches--DT/Sue/Swin/Maya as a Uconn coach may draw some seats but eventually without winning, they would disappear. Dawn has found a home, JPM would not like Storrs, Muffet--has too much green in her blood, Sherri is OKLa , the really good WBB coaches are already taken--who then?

 

[BroadwayVa]

that's right next to the Outback Steakhouse......

No next to the old slaughter facility---land in the hinterland. But you can buy a steak there if you are employed at Uconn.

 

[Bigboote]

Kelly Faris's pro career is likely winding down. If she doesn't land a coaching gig at UConn, I hope she lands one somewhere. If she's inclined, she'll be a head coach somewhere.

 

[JoePgh]

Kelly Faris's pro career is likely winding down. If she doesn't land a coaching gig at UConn, I hope she lands one somewhere. If she's inclined, she'll be a head coach somewhere.

I don’t know. After watching her appear to be not enjoying the UConn game against DePaul the other night (after traveling, presumably from Indianapolis, to see it), I wonder if she would be able to make an emotional connection with the players to inspire them to put forth the kind of effort that she always did. Either she actually wasn’t enjoying the game, or she is just so naturally laconic that she wouldn’t reach the players at more than a cerebral level.

 

[tkaes]

Absolutely correct, but most get their first HC job with a lesser program than the perennially top program in the country. Geno certainly did...

I agree, most do get their first HC job at lesser programs. However there are a number of examples demonstrating that prior HC experience at a lesser program doesn't matter. In pro FB: Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Don Shula, Mike Tomlin just to name a few. In pro BB: Pat Riley and Greg Popovich (technically, Popovich coached at a very small college in CA before spending 8 years as an assistant before being named the Spurs HC). In CFB: John McKay Sr. at USC and Mark Richt among others, and while Richt didn't win a NC at UGA he was successful for there 15 years having to compete in the SEC. In MLB without spending a lot of time I can't think of some examples, but it will be interesting to see what happens with Aaron Boone. If he's successful will everyone say it's because of the players he had and that he comes from a baseball family and learned how to manage from a manager that was a big part of his life? Could the same thing ever be said about Shea Ralph?

 

[ed4ourgirls]

Fortunately, none of the members of the boneyard is an AD, much less and AD at UConn.

When Geno does retire, I expect the AD at the time will give a UConn connection little weight,
and try to hire the best coach available.

 

[Huskybass]

I hope that Geno coach a hundred more years and wins a million more games.

That said, who do you believe is The Logical successor when Gino finally decides to retire?

Chris Dailey and Shea Ralph are my first two thoughts. Curious as to what others think.

 

[pinotbear]

Just FYI, it's "Geno", not "Gino".
And, given their respective ages, it seems unlikely that CD would take the reins as the UConn head coach. About the only scenario that I could see this happening is an unpleasant one, where Geno has to step down unexpectedly and CD runs the boat for a year or so while a formal, careful search ensues.
While Shea has built a good coaching pedigree, you are still talking about being the HC of the UCH, to paraphrase Bill Belichick. Folks seem to assume that it'll be an "in-house" hire, but, prior head coaching experience at a highly competitive program would seem to be a logical prerequisite. Don't rule out an up-and-coming head coach from another power conference.

 

[JustinesGuy]

I hope that Geno coach a hundred more years and wins a million more games.

That said, who do you believe is The Logical successor when Gino finally decides to retire?

Chris Dailey and Shea Ralph are my first two thoughts. Curious as to what others think.

Mike Francesa

 

[tomcat]

I don't even like to think about this, but I think you're right. If Daley wanted it, UConn would have to do it, but let's assume that isn't the case and see who else there is: Shea is a logical choice, but, as others have suggested, the downside is she's never been a head coach. People keep suggesting Rizotti or Berube. I don't see either. Rizotti has the fire but I'm not sure about her ability to strategize. Her star seems to have leveled off, to say the least. Berube seems to be a very smart coach, but has absolutely no experience recruiting, so she's not a viable candidate. No one else on the UConn tree has a record that's even close to being good enough to warrant consideration.

So I would look for a relatively young -- or maybe not so young -- coaching star who would be enticed by the fact that it's UConn. Someone like Rueck or maybe Graves, or Karl Smesko at FGCU.

 

[DICKG]

I hope that Geno coach a hundred more years and wins a million more games.

That said, who do you believe is The Logical successor when Gino finally decides to retire?

Chris Dailey and Shea Ralph are my first two thoughts. Curious as to what others think.

My choice would be either Carla Berube or Jen Rizzotti.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Probably won't be Chris Dailey as I see her and Geno retiring at the same time. They'll go out as they came in as a Pair. Both have too much to lose not to do so, if the program doesn't maintain the same level of success with only one of them.

I think the AD at the time Geno decides to retire will have a huge decision to make as IMO there's not a logical choice from Geno's coaching tree. Jen Rizzotti and Tonya Cardoza have had the most success but haven't built an elite program thats annually in the Top 20. They are still relatively unknown and wouldn't be a splash hire.

Shea and Marisa have no head coaching experience. IMO both need to get Head Coaching Experience before an AD would hire them as the next Head Coach. Now if Sue Bird would join Geno's staff and be an assistant coach for a couple of years, I could see her being hired as the next Head Coach. She has the Media Savvy and Personality to take over and would be a Splash Hire. If Carla Berube joins Geno's staff as assistant coach with announced plans that she will be Geno's replacement, that might work. She wouldn't be the Splash Hire that Sue would be.

The temptation will be to attempt to hire a Head Coach from an existing High Profile Elite P5 school. The contacted Head Coaches will have to evaluate do we leave a P5 school that has more resources then UConn to follow Geno. Many will see it as no win situation, especially if UConn is still in the American Conference. Might have more success getting a Head Coach from a quality Mid Major that has a history of making the tournament on a yearly basis.

Fortunately from reading the existing tea leaves, we don't have to worry about Geno's replacement for a few more years.

 

[Zanzman]

Time to merge threads please only 2 weeks ago

 

[BroadwayVa]

THERE IS NO LOGICAL SUCCESSOR TO GENO, NONE! Whorr may do a good job WHEN Geno leaves--make no mistake, Geno one day will be gone.
Most search teams will look for : 1 A coach with a winning record 2. One with no scandals, works well with players 3. Has a record of working with the community 4.Find innovative was of developing the program 5. Will accept less than Geno

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Groundhog Day!!!!! Noooooooooooo

 

[iamcbs]

Did Geno have any HC experience when he was hired at Connecticut?

 

[oldude]

CD has indicated she will leave when Geno leaves. While there are a number of good candidates, I have to believe Shea gets the job. She’s had the opportunity to learn under the master for 10+ years and she bleeds Husky Blue.

 

[UConnCat]

Probably won't be Chris Dailey as I see her and Geno retiring at the same time. They'll go out as they came in as a Pair. Both have too much to lose not to do so, if the program doesn't maintain the same level of success with only one of them.

I think the AD at the time Geno decides to retire will have a huge decision to make as IMO there's not a logical choice from Geno's coaching tree. Jen Rizzotti and Tonya Cardoza have had the most success but haven't built an elite program thats annually in the Top 20. They are still relatively unknown and wouldn't be a splash hire.

Shea and Marisa have no head coaching experience. IMO both need to get Head Coaching Experience before an AD would hire them as the next Head Coach. Now if Sue Bird would join Geno's staff and be an assistant coach for a couple of years, I could see her being hired as the next Head Coach. She has the Media Savvy and Personality to take over and would be a Splash Hire. If Carla Berube joins Geno's staff as assistant coach with announced plans that she will be Geno's replacement, that might work. She wouldn't be the Splash Hire that Sue would be.

The temptation will be to attempt to hire a Head Coach from an existing High Profile Elite P5 school. The contacted Head Coaches will have to evaluate do we leave a P5 school that has more resources then UConn to follow Geno. Many will see it as no win situation, especially if UConn is still in the American Conference. Might have more success getting a Head Coach from a quality Mid Major that has a history of making the tournament on a yearly basis.

Fortunately from reading the existing tea leaves, we don't have to worry about Geno's replacement for a few more years.

So you're saying Sue Bird doesn't need any head coaching experience? She could just sit by Geno's side for a couple of years and then, voila, she's ready to take over the reins? Head coaching experience is not necessary as long as the hire is "splashy?" That's crazy. Sue will make an excellent coach if that is what she chooses to do but she's not ready to take that step. Plus, Sue has already said she has no desire to live in Storrs so she's not coming.

There will be a temptation to hire a Head Coach from a High Profile Elite P5 school? Really? Do you really think Dave Benedict (or whoever is the AD when Geno retires) will decide Geno's successor without input from Geno? Is Geno just going to walk away and tell Dave Benedict that the future of the program he built over 30-40 years is 100% in his (AD Dave's) hands and it's okay to turn it over to someone outside the UConn family?

By the way, what head coach from a High Profile Elite P5 school in his or her right mind would a) choose to follow in the footsteps of and be compared to the most successful coach in the history of the game, and b) choose to leave a P5 school to join a conference with the likes of Memphis, Tulsa, Cincinnati, etc? No coach from a High Profile Elite P5 school in his or her right mind would choose to do that. Plus, given the serious $$ issues the UConn athletic department is currently facing and will continue to face in the future, UConn will not be able to afford a coach from a High Profile Elite P5 school.

Geno is not going to be okay with handing his program over to some outsider from a P5 conference or a mid-major conference. That's just crazy.

The next head coach will be part of the UConn family and likely sitting on the bench right now. If that assistant coach believed she first needed head coaching experience, then she'd be out there gaining that experience right now or she'd choose to do so very soon.