Geno's logical successor

[Cuango]

I don't think so. She is building Vanderbilt up from nothing exactly the same way Geno did with UConn. I don't think she will leave what she has built, to take over what someone else has.

You could well be right. Nevertheless, Shea should be the first choice to take over a post Geno (and CD) UConn program! If (Say it ain’t so) Shea turned us down then you go after the best available! My list (in no particular order) would include Carla Berube, Jeff Walz, Molly Miller, and Mark Campbell. Now I know very little about any of these coaches beyond that they are all successful coaches and seem to be very knowledgeable about the game. Obviously, there should be a vetting process for whomever was chosen. Clearly, Jeff and Carla have shown themselves to be quality coaches with great and extended success with their respective programs. The other two are simply two coaches that I have followed and who, in my estimation show great promise. Finally, (brace for incoming) I just don’t see giving the reins to the greatest Women’s program in history to someone, anyone, who has never coached a game in their lives!

 

[JoePgh]

I could be wrong, but when asked, I believe she's said that she's not interested in coaching..........same goes for Taurasi......

Don't take that as the last word. With an appropriate monetary offer, a good sales job about the resources that she would have available, and by appealing to her pride in her alma mater and the success of its WBB program, I think she could be persuaded. There is no more potentially influential position in the whole world of women's basketball (college and pro) than what UConn can offer if it is so inclined.

 

[Kat]

Who would want the job? To be compared to a legend? Can't remember who followed John Wooden, Dean Smith, or Pat Summit, but they didn't keep the fire going. Let's enjoy the now--it's never happening again.

 

[ec33]

What UConn coach would players from all over the world want to play for after Geno retires?

When that bridge is ready to crossed, whatever big name former UConn great willing to take on the task would have the best shot at it.

 

[Dogdude]

Ok, here's the successor. Flannery at Creighton. UConn should not hire any graduate or insider; it wouldn't do them justice and put favorite former players in a losing position.

 

[ec33]

Who would want the job? To be compared to a legend? Can't remember who followed John Wooden, Dean Smith, or Pat Summit, but they didn't keep the fire going. Let's enjoy the now--it's never happening again.

The only reason to hesitate would be if UConn no longer had the resources to be competitive in the current environment. How many coaches have the ability and resources to recruit the kind of roster Geno will leave behind?

 

[Cornell Lt]

The question is, would she be able to continue bringing in said all americans?

Carla Berube has recruited highly decorated players, including High School All-Americans, during her successful tenure as Princeton women's basketball coach, with players like Abby Meyers and Kaitlyn Chen earning All-American honors after being recruited by her, though specific All-American high school recognition for every player requires deeper roster dives. Berube's recruiting success brings top talent, evident in her multiple Ivy League titles and NCAA Tournament runs, showcasing her ability to develop elite players.

 

[SCNCHuskie]

Our successor is doing great at Vanderbilt right now.

First of all, that is something we do not have to worry about for at least four years or longer.

I have a personal feeling that Shea Ralph will not want to leave vanderbilt for UConn. She has openly stated that she loves working with her husband, and I believe that would be a problem at Connecticut because of that nepotism law.

I would think that whoever it is would be in a tough situation just because of the old saying, “the man who follows the man……. (of course insert woman if you prefer)

I know people float names like Sue Bird, but she would be taking over the premier women’s basketball program ever without any previous coaching experience. Players don’t always make the best coaches. Carla Berube makes a much more sensible choice.

However, I’m glad this is a decision that will not have to be made for at least several more years. (10, no 20)

 

[Bills Fan]

Carla Berube has recruited highly decorated players, including High School All-Americans, during her successful tenure as Princeton women's basketball coach, with players like Abby Meyers and Kaitlyn Chen earning All-American honors after being recruited by her, though specific All-American high school recognition for every player requires deeper roster dives. Berube's recruiting success brings top talent, evident in her multiple Ivy League titles and NCAA Tournament runs, showcasing her ability to develop elite players.

Recruiting to win Ivy league titles is related to NC level (UCONN) recruiting, as Military music is to music.

 

[DemonDeac22]

Every organization I’ve worked in has had a succession plan that was reviewed annually. I would think that UConn has something located somewhere covering the head coaches and their assistants.

 

[Charliebball]

I have the perfect choice............Kim Mulkey!........I kid....I kid!

 

[topogigio]

This day will come, my friends, sooner than later. Let's just enjoy the now and let the coach/chips fall where they may!

 

[ec33]

Every organization I’ve worked in has had a succession plan that was reviewed annually. I would think that UConn has something located somewhere covering the head coaches and their assistants.

That is usually the problem in these situations. Geno had earned the right to name his successor. Also, Geno is unlikely to be the best person to name his successor.

 

[ec33]

I have the perfect choice............Kim Mulkey!........I kid....I kid!

Well, the Big East schedule would be perfect for. She wouldn't have to worry about playing a top opponent until the Elite 8 at the earliest.

 

[Cornell Lt]

Recruiting to win Ivy league titles is related to NC level (UCONN) recruiting, as Military music is to music.

The point that was raised was could Carla recruit HS all-Americans if she was the UConn coach. My answer would be that if she could get HS All-Americans at Princeton she sure as hell could get them at UConn.

 

[bigfive]

Any successor would be more likely to come and more likely to succeed if we are in a better conference by then. Otherwise, I fear Louisiana Tech or Old Dominion irrelevance rather than Tennessee drop off. Since there have been mentions of Sue and Diana who have never coached, what about Renee, or Maya, or someone who has always struck me as coaching material, Kia Nurse? In 10 years.

 

[FanSince17]

What examples of this do we have in history. Coach K, John Wooden, Coach Calhoun, Pat Summit, Muffet, Tara. Some successors were great and some not so much. How could Gene Bartow or Gary Cunningham get people psyched at UCLA? John Scheyer great. They might win it this year.
I think it’s got to be a name. Take a look at the team picture with last year’s squad with all the alumni after the National Championship game. Says it all.

 

[Charliebball]

Any successor would be more likely to come and more likely to succeed if we are in a better conference by then. Otherwise, I fear Louisiana Tech or Old Dominion irrelevance rather than Tennessee drop off. Since there have been mentions of Sue and Diana who have never coached, what about Renee, or Maya, or someone who has always struck me as coaching material, Kia Nurse? In 10 years.

Kia certainly has the intensity and work ethic to do the job.....

 

[Gael]

Flannery at Creighton.

Too old. He's 60 now.

The point that was raised was could Carla recruit HS all-Americans if she was the UConn coach. My answer would be that if she could get HS All-Americans at Princeton she sure as hell could get them at UConn.

I'm not aware that Carla Berube has ever recruited a high school All-American at DIII Tufts or, since 2019, at DI Princeton.

Bella Alarie and Abby Meyers were both recruited by Courtney Banghart, before Carla. Neither were high school All-Americans.

Kaitlyn Chen was initially recruited by and took her official visit to Princeton under Banghart. Carla convinced Chen to stick with Princeton after Banghart departed to UNC. (See HERE.) Regardless of who recruited her, Chen, ranked #66 in the 2020 high school class, was not a high school All-American.

I'd be interested in knowing what high school All-Americans you claim Carla has ever recruited.

My view is that Geno's successor should be a coach who has demonstrated a consistent ability to recruit players who will be college All-Americans and who has a proven elite won-loss record in high level D1 competition. Shea Ralph will probably meet those criteria when Geno retires, probably in 2028-29. However, I doubt that she would leave a successful program she has resurrected from the dead at a premiere university in one of America's most desirable cities to follow a deity in Storrs.

[Begin fantasy:] Alternatively, I think a UConn alum with no coaching experience but a gravitationally attractive reputation and personality, such as Diana Taurasi or Sue Bird, might be a reasonable risk. (Kara Lawson, with neither, is doing okay at Duke.) How about both Diana and Sue, one being an assistant? Offer them Geno's $4 million a year and change their minds about coaching. Maybe Maya as an assistant, too. I don't think she's rolling in dough. Hire some very experienced D1 coach to be associate head coach, who knows what to do, so the famous names can concentrate on recruiting. [End fantasy]