Geno's Retirement: Succession and a Game Plan

[BroadwayVa]

In his 2nd year, right? You and triadukefan (above) make a good point: I stand corrected. But I'm not sure it's such a "gift", since it was "someone else's team" and now the expectations are very high. Like when Tubby Smith inherited a great Kentucky team when Pitino went to the Celtics, and Smith won it all the first year, but it was gradually downhill after that.

Kevin Ollie got a team sanctioned --heavily--by the NCAA --which restricted post season which restricted recruiting--and precipitate an exodus of top level players --Ollies hiring was not for the exact reasons as Geno retirement. I seriously doubt any Geno's teams shall be sanctioned to the point Ollie received the Uconn men's team.

 

[mdakota]

Until he announces his retirement, there isn't much to discuss... Unless some of you are psychic

 

[BigBird]

The 7003rd Geno's retirement thread.

Balderdash! 7008. I checked the media guide.

 

[Vowelguy]

Until he announces his retirement, there isn't much to discuss...

Uhh, you do realize that sports message boards exist largely to speculate?

 

[VAUConnFan]

34 previous posts and not one black coach mentioned as a possible successor save Maya hanging around for a year or two. Understandably, we have our preferences, but let's open up the possibility.

 

[Kibitzer]

34 previous posts and not one black coach mentioned as a possible successor save Maya hanging around for a year or two. Understandably, we have our preferences, but let's open up the possibility.

Excellent point. The NFL's "Rooney Rule" is a model for leagues or conferences. The Rooney (Steelers) family persuaded the NFL (fellow owners) to adopt a policy that assured black coaches an interview opportunity when head coaching vacancies occurred.

"What goes around comes around." This policy may have had something to do with Mike Tomlin being interviewed. And hired.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Duke's Coach K is 7-8 years older. Muffet is not much younger.

 

[JoePgh]

Sue Bird is the best choice. I know she has said that she doesn't want to coach, but if she had an opportunity to be the head coach of the #1 program in the country which is also her Alma Mater, I think she could be persuaded.

She has two assets that no one except maybe DT can match: she has seen and played basketball worldwide at every level, and she has instant name recognition with every plausible high school recruit. And she has great admiration from most of them.

The only thing that she lacks is NCAA coaching and recruiting experience, and assistant coaches can fill in that gap. And she is a quick study.

Shea does not have the WNBA, international, and Olympic experience that Sue has. She needs to go elsewhere and be successful as a head coach before she will be qualified to be a UConn head coach. The same applies to Marisa. And they both lack the name recognition and instant credibility with recruits that Sue would have.

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

Excellent point. The NFL's "Rooney Rule" is a model for leagues or conferences. The Rooney (Steelers) family persuaded the NFL (fellow owners) to adopt a policy that assured black coaches an interview opportunity when head coaching vacancies occurred.

"What goes around comes around." This policy may have had something to do with Mike Tomlin being interviewed. And hired.

Unfortunately, this has also lead to a bunch of candidates refusing to interview (Dennis Green being a multiple offender) as they didn't think they they had a "legitimate" chance at the job, thus holding teams hostage.

You can't legislate Morality.

 

[HoopsFan21]

When did she rule herself out?

When she was asked about Geno's retirement and possibly taking over for him. Her response at the time, which was a couple of years ago, left no room for interpretation as she said she's leaving when Geno leaves.

 

[Vowelguy]

Got a link?

 

[Kibitzer]

Sue Bird is the best choice. She has two assets that no one except maybe DT can match: she has seen and played basketball worldwide at every level, and she has instant name recognition with every plausible high school recruit. And she has great admiration from most of them.

The only thing that she lacks is NCAA coaching and recruiting experience, and assistant coaches can fill in that gap. And she is a quick study.

Shea does not have the WNBA, international, and Olympic experience that Sue has.

Geno's replacement will be hired to coach UConn in the NCAA, not WNBA or international competition. I believe Shea has by now honed her coaching skills (under the tutelage of the master) while making an enormous number of calls (by phone and in homes) to prospects and recruits.

Like the traveling salesman in "The Music Man" said:

"Ya gotta know the territory"
​

Shea knows the (recruiting and NCAA) territory.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Being a great player such as, DT, Sue, etc. does not automatically mean they'll be a great coach!
It's very hard to coach players that aren't at YOUR talent level and expect them to catch on and perform at the Star's level!
Some of the best coaches, & managers are the average guy/girl who had to work hard for everything they achieved!
Look at Carla Berube, she was a better than average player that always took care of the little things and is a really good college coach today!
Look how many ex-catchers are now successful managers in MLB!

 

[jayfromfla]

Geno is not leaving until he reaches 1100 wins.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Geno is not leaving until he reaches 1100 wins.

Make it 1500 so we can be sure the record lasts.

 

[JoePgh]

Being a great player such as, DT, Sue, etc. does not automatically mean they'll be a great coach!
It's very hard to coach players that aren't at YOUR talent level and expect them to catch on and perform at the Star's level!
Some of the best coaches, & managers are the average guy/girl who had to work hard for everything they achieved!
Look at Carla Berube, she was a better than average player that always took care of the little things and is a really good college coach today!
Look how many ex-catchers are now successful managers in MLB!

Hopefully a large percentage of the players that UConn recruits will be at nearly the same level of talent as Sue and Diana. Certainly (we hope) they will believe that they are. And they will want to develop their game enough so that someday they can play at the WNBA / international level, maybe even the Olympic level for the very best of them.

I'm sure that a big factor in Kevin Ollie's recruiting success is his long experience in the NBA. Recruits believe that he can teach them to play at that level if they have the talent and work hard.

How many of those potential UConn WCBB players (Top 100 high school recruits) would recognize the names "Shea Ralph" or "Marisa Moseley" at this point? Probably very few. But I guarantee you that they will know who Sue and Diana are, and will probably be thrilled to be recruited by them. And, as with Ollie, they will believe that if Sue or DT says, "You need to do X, Y, and Z to get to a WNBA level", she will know what she is talking about.

 

[CocoHusky]

Hopefully a large percentage of the players that UConn recruits will be at nearly the same level of talent as Sue and Diana. Certainly (we hope) they will believe that they are. And they will want to develop their game enough so that someday they can play at the WNBA / international level, maybe even the Olympic level for the very best of them.

I'm sure that a big factor in Kevin Ollie's recruiting success is his long experience in the NBA. Recruits believe that he can teach them to play at that level if they have the talent and work hard.

How many of those potential UConn WCBB players (Top 100 high school recruits) would recognize the names "Shea Ralph" or "Marisa Moseley" at this point? Probably very few. But I guarantee you that they will know who Sue and Diana are, and will probably be thrilled to be recruited by them. And, as with Ollie, they will believe that if Sue or DT says, "You need to do X, Y, and Z to get to a WNBA level", she will know what she is talking about.

"I believe my game resembles Diana Taurasi because she is very explosive, she can shoot well and she is a leader on and off the court. "
Christyn Williams

http://www.wiseeyesports.com/2018s-...-williams-a-sweet-beast/#sthash.5vHo4Lhn.dpuf

 

[HopJim]

Until he announces his retirement, there isn't much to discuss... Unless some of you are psychic

Agree. Topic interesting but waste of time.
Living in Texas, one of the yearly "sporting events" is to see who can best position a false, usually negative rumor about the coach at another school. So and so is going to take a pro job, get fired, retire, etc. Texas, versus A&A, versus Baylor, etc. etc. etc. 99% are false and started by the competition.

 

[Kibitzer]

Agree. Topic interesting but waste of time.
Living in Texas, one of the yearly "sporting events" is to see who can best position a false, usually negative rumor about the coach at another school. So and so is going to take a pro job, get fired, retire, etc. Texas, versus A&A, versus Baylor, etc. etc. etc. 99% are false and started by the competition.

Here in Connecticut it is very different. Any speculation about prospective movement by coaches is extremely narrow and sharply focused.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

While Sue Bird has bought a home in Connecticut, it is to be close to "the Mothership" and the NYC area airports as well as her sister. Find one word uttered by Sue about an interest in coaching, I dare you.

 

[Charlie]

Agree. Topic interesting but waste of time.
Living in Texas, one of the yearly "sporting events" is to see who can best position a false, usually negative rumor about the coach at another school. So and so is going to take a pro job, get fired, retire, etc. Texas, versus A&A, versus Baylor, etc. etc. etc. 99% are false and started by the competition.

I agree it sounds like someone is trying to scare prospective recruits away. Geno already said he is not retiring after another topic with the same topic was started earlier this year ... and Geno even said he would coach the Olympics in four years if he was asked. I think folks on the ND board or TN board when Pat (was still healthy) would think this in bad taste if they had the same topic was raised. By the way, Geno is really not that old in today's day and age.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Hopefully a large percentage of the players that UConn recruits will be at nearly the same level of talent as Sue and Diana. Certainly (we hope) they will believe that they are. And they will want to develop their game enough so that someday they can play at the WNBA / international level, maybe even the Olympic level for the very best of them.

I'm sure that a big factor in Kevin Ollie's recruiting success is his long experience in the NBA. Recruits believe that he can teach them to play at that level if they have the talent and work hard.

How many of those potential UConn WCBB players (Top 100 high school recruits) would recognize the names "Shea Ralph" or "Marisa Moseley" at this point? Probably very few. But I guarantee you that they will know who Sue and Diana are, and will probably be thrilled to be recruited by them. And, as with Ollie, they will believe that if Sue or DT says, "You need to do X, Y, and Z to get to a WNBA level", she will know what she is talking about.

JoePgh- - - - I'm certainly not saying Sue and DT would not be great coaches, just that mistakenly people think automatically that "THE NAME" player will be a great coach! Personally I think both Sue and DT would make great coaches because as players they are nurturing human beings, always taking their team mates under their wing and leading and teaching on and off the court! Look at both at the Olympics talking to Griner, EDD, Stewie, the youngsters, every chance they got what to do, etc.

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

"I believe my game resembles Diana Taurasi because she is very explosive, she can shoot well and she is a leader on and off the court. "
Christyn Williams

http://www.wiseeyesports.com/2018s-...-williams-a-sweet-beast/#sthash.5vHo4Lhn.dpuf

"...explosive..." isn't a term that is often applied to DT. "sneaky" is more like it; suddenly one-half step ahead a defender for no apparent reason, hop-skipping in slo-mo down the middle of four defenders what what amounts to an uncontested layup, coming around a pile of bodies with the rebound when she seemingly had no chance at it.

It's that Rodman-esque sneakiness and unpredictability that makes her game so destructive to an opponent.

 

[xoxxox]

Geno will coach for as long as he is physically able to do so - or until, CD decides to retire. Neither will continue without the other. They are historical human beings whose synergy is unmatched in sports coaching.
Geno, by himself will become a HISTORICAL fixture of Sports equal to the standing of Galileo, Newton, and Einstein, in their respective fields. Once Geno is gone, UCONN will, very quickly, become another good team - not the dominate force they are today. Individuals like Geno, come along once every every century or so. We, today, are able to say that we lived and experienced the greatness of the man and his equally magnificent partner who have given us all so much enjoyment.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Submitted for consideration on this succession thread.
UConn tree without previous coaching experience:
1. Swin Cash - very similar resume to Sue Bird.
2. Asjha Jones - always studious, with an impressive basketball resume
UConn tree with coaching experience
1. Jemelle Elliott
2. Tonya Cardoza
3. Marisa Moseley
4. Tamika Williams
5. Willnet Crockett

They would all be excellent choices to run the storied UConn program.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Take Geno at his word. He will coach as long as he is fit and enjoys it. There is no apparent timetable. When Geno leaves, CD may or may not; it will be her decision.

The logical (and IMO most likely) replacement for Geno is Shea. It is possible that someone like Sue would, in turn, replace her, It is impossible to predict Diana's future, given the array of opportunities that await her when she steps off the court for good.

 

[JSB60]

Submitted for consideration on this succession thread.
UConn tree without previous coaching experience:
1. Swin Cash - very similar resume to Sue Bird.
2. Asjha Jones - always studious, with an impressive basketball resume
UConn tree with coaching experience
1. Jemelle Elliott
2. Tonya Cardoza
3. Marisa Moseley
4. Tamika Williams
5. Willnet Crockett

They would all be excellent choices to run the storied UConn program.

Some interesting candidates, I'll put in my two cents.

Swin would succeed at anything she wanted to do. I'd be happy with that pick.

Asjha Jones as a player reminds me of Tim Duncan, the big fundamental. I don't know a lot about her interests other than as a player.

Jamelle Elliott's performance at Cincinnati doesn't put her in the running.

Tonya Cardoza is an excellent bench coach and developer of talent. I question her as a recruiter.

Marisa Moseley, obviously a strong choice but I think she's a step behind Shea as the current assistants go.

Tamika Williams is another excellent possibility. All the different pieces of the background are there.

Willnett Crockett is one of my all time favorites, but not sure what would put her over Tonya Cardoza.

 

[cbraarj]

If Shea is still around when Geno and CD hang it up. IMO Shea will be their pick. 5 years as a player and 8 years as a coach at Uconn will give her the edge over everyone else I would imagine. I could see her at Duke when they get rid of JPM. She is from Fayetteville,NC. There is also Bam Bam Hansmeyer and dont forget Carla Berube. Hopefully it doesnt happen anytime soon!

 

[Paesano]

Geno needs to hang on for 6 more years. My son will be graduating from UConn then after having been on the practice squad for his four years at UConn. Then Geno can try to convince him to take over the team instead of heading to med school. Those are my two retirement plan options.

 

[Wbbfan1]

IF Shea is going to be Geno's replacement, I would prefer she leave and get head coaching experience at an up and coming program. I would like to see how successful she is at recruiting Top 50 players. Doesn't have to get the Elite players that UConn normally attracts, but has to improve the recruiting from previous head coaches. I would also like to see how she takes advantage of the players she inherits and recruits. Two or more years of head coaching experience would be ideal. Then come back and take over UConn.

If Shea left, I would like to see Sue Bird be her replacement if she has the coaching bug. She seems to have the correct temperament and could handle the demands of the program. I'm not sure if DT would be able to.

Geno will retire someday. We don't know when it'll happen or why. Thankfully, he's been in good health thus far (KNOCK WOOD), and has said that he'll keep coaching as long as he enjoys it. Garry Blair is the HC of A&M after all, and he's 71 years old. So there's that example.

As I said, we simply won't know when it'll be time for him to move on, but the great news is that he's going to leave the program in a great condition if at all possible. The question of who will be the next HC of UConn WCBB tends to be endless and repetitive, but it will be a job more prospects will have interest in. It's a great brand with great tradition and facilities.

I just hope Shea sticks around and that she'll be truly ready. Otherwise, I think the succession goes outside of the UConn family. I don't think it'll be CD, and no alumna other than Shea has anything like the requisite coaching experience.