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]

 

[EricSD]

I'm of 2 minds. On one hand, I'd love continuity and continuing to recruit elite players who are great kids and continue what Geno started.

On the other hand, that is highly improbable. Just look at the mess at Tennessee - after Pat Summit - Holly Warlick, Kellie Harper, Kim Caldwell.

And for all the "Kim is a great recruiter and has them on the right path", If you extrapolate her record right now over the next 6-7 years, it will be NO BETTER than Warlick's.

My point is, Warlick and Harper were both from the Tennessee coaching tree, and followed Pat's lead with a brand of basketball that had passed all of them by. Enter Caldwell - fresh face, new offense and defense, no Tennessee ties. Everyone thought she was a homerun at first, and now many fans complain that her hockey style sub pattern is a recipe for failure, something she refuses to change.

I don't think Shea will come back. Plus she's from NC and Vandy is closer. She's married with children now and raising them in Tennessee. Hard to imagine she'd jump.

Carla - this is a possibility, but if I'm Carla, I look at the disaster at Tennessee with the "Tenn tree" of coaches and say "no thanks". Jamelle and Tonya have already shown they are failures as HC's, and much better as Asst. Coaches. That leaves Morgan Valley. TBH, I think from a continuity perspective, she will likely take over when Geno leaves. There is zero chance she will enjoy the same success he did. I suspect when Geno leaves, so does CD and Jamelle/Tonya. I doubt either of them want to work for Morgan (I could be wrong of course).

I think Morgan takes over and within a few years, has an entirely new group of assistants. She's a terrific recruiter (I'll be honest - when she was hired I was disappointed as she was NOT a flashy hire. I've completely flipped that switch). I'm not sure what level of success will be acceptable to UConn fans.

In Warlick's 7 seasons, she made the elite 8 3 times and the sweet 16 once. Harper never did better than the sweet 16. Caldwell is only in her 2nd season but only made the sweet 16 last year, and told fans her team was "built for the final 4" this season. Brave words as they are currently barely in the top 20. Sure they are 12-3 but could easily end up 18-10 with the meat of the SEC coming up. They are currently a 5 seed but could end up 6 or 7. Would love to see them as an 8 seed and face a 1 seed in round 2.

I did digress a little but, and I'm betting Caldwell will get at least 4 years to prove her stuff. But again, what is acceptable? Tennessee is not even close to the level of UConn - haven't been for years - and sweet 16 is unacceptable for most Tennessee fans. Given that UConn has been to a zillion final 4's in the past whatever years, how much tolerance will we have? If the BY is any indication, very little.

If I'm Morgan, I'd consider the job because she's not Tennessee. She might do better. But she would also be competing against other coaches UConn would be interviewing, and there are some terrific young ones out there. BUT it would need to be lightning in a bottle TWICE for us to get someone who continues with the excellence we've enjoyed, and often taken for granted, over the past 40+ years...

Let's just hope Geno coaches forever.