I am convinced that Jenn will step into Geno's. . .

[Buzzyboy]

And, I'd add, vtc, that folks who think that asking Jen to step up from UHart to UConn is too much, imagine asking Carla to step up from a DIII program. I can't imagine what all the folks who throw out names like DT and Bird are thinking - great players, but, without a moment's coaching experience at any level that I'm aware of.

If you go with the premise of "staying in the family", Shea is indeed the most qualified candidate - but, I suspect you're right in thinking that UConn will end up going outside.

I don't think there's much of a distinction between UHart and Tufts and I think Berube has had more success. I think she'd be at least as good a candidate as Jenn but I don't think there's any possibility either will step in after Geno!

 

[hjoerring]

WBB (and I would add Field Hoc) at Uconn is one of the most critical branding thing that the Univ can wield out. There are histories of Programs that went from the very top to the bottom. I'm not against picking a high school coach to replace someone like Geno. Afterall, UTexas did it. But UT-Austin is not Uconn-Storrs. The former can feed on the local home grown produce. With the School in the AAC (no disrespect intended), it will need more then the old banners hanging from the tafters. Personally, I would give Shea w/ Marrissa serious considerations, but I would also look to the WNBA and the colleges (I like the Princeton coach- and others). Minn(WNBA) has about one more Championship in them, so maybe the coach my be open to something different. And she knows our players and Geno. Would Geno whisper something in her ears? Would Shea and Marrissa stay- were that to come true? One thing for sure, Uconn/Geno will not throw Shea and Marrissa out without years of warning.
Also, I suspect that WBB will undergo major changes of a competitive nature- especially in the area of recruitment and schools, so that by the time Geno leaves there will be much to consider. Much more then just passing the torch to a deciple.

 

[jdubct]

I would have a hard time choosing between Sue Bird and Jenn Rizzotti. Which one would bring the most to the program is open to question. I think Bird would have a greater impact on recruiting. Rizzotti has the experience advantage in coaching.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Bird doesn't like Storrs, so that's a nonstarter.

 

[meyers7]

Jen, Shea, Marissa, DT, Sue, and Carla are all in their 30s. Please don't insult them by calling them "girls", or even worse, "ladies". They are women. Girls are in high school and below. Once they turn 18 they are women, just as boys become men.

Or maybe "oh girl", or maybe "Oh woman".

 

[vtcwbuff]

Jen, Shea, Marissa, DT, Sue, and Carla are all in their 30s. Please don't insult them by calling them "girls", or even worse, "ladies". They are women. Girls are in high school and below. Once they turn 18 they are women, just as boys become men.

My wife is in her 60's. She often goes to "dinner with the girls" and she meets weekly with the "girls" in her book (wine?) club. She shops with her "girl friends." In the context of the post the word simply identifies gender and should not be considered derogatory.

Don't take offense where none is intended.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Doesn't matter if Geno breaks Pat's record for number of wins as he probably won't end up with the record for most wins. Tara Vanderveer (Stanford) has 36 more wins and I anticipate she will eventually end up with the most wins of any coach. Geno is 10 months younger then Tara but I can see Tara coaching for another 10 years, while its unlikely that Geno will due to his outside business interest. Stringer and Hatchell also have more wins then Geno, but suspect both will retire in the next year or two and Geno and Tara will pass the both of them.

I also don't think Geno cares about the record for most wins and he won't continue to coach for that reason. When he feels it time to retire, he'll do so and be extremely happy with what he and CD have accomplished.

Could very well be that when CD says, its time for me to retire, that Geno will say okay, I'm going with you. Don't see Geno staying on, if CD retires.

I believe Geno will stay to break Pats record of wins. What other records will he want well they are his. UConn looks in pretty great shape for the next 4-5 years. What will Geno do when he leaves? It will be very tuff for him to retire from what he has built and from USA WBB. IMO Jenn looks like a great replacement, however you don't step on CD if she stays or Shea. Do you keep Geno on board to work with the new HC and CD to work as her asst?Some questions that need to be answered. You have a tuff call to make if Shea isn't asked to replace Geno. JMO

 

[iamcbs]

No way it's Jenn. It will be Diana's or Shea's to lose, in my view, working Birdie. That team of three in some combination is I hope in the cards, in about 10 years though. Geno has a lot of juice left.

DT3 has said in the past she has no interest in coaching, although she may have changed her mind? I believe with her personality, celebrity, and knowledge of the game she's likely headed for the Broadcast booth when she's finished playing.

 

[UcMiami]

I know we aren't supposed to go there, but ...
There has always been an interesting dynamic with Geno because he is a guy - great coaches are great coaches regardless of gender, but there is no denying that within family units, and a college basketball team is not that far removed from a family unit, there is definitely different dynamics in play between authority figures of different genders. This is especially true the younger the non-authority figures are. And the typical breakdown is stronger bonds across gender.
The Uconn situation with Geno and an almost equal CD I think has been an advantage in recruiting over the years. These young women are leaving their childhood unit for the first time in their lives and there is a certain comfort level in adopting a similar unit in college.
I don't think this means you look specifically for a male HC, but I do think you consider at least looking for a mixture of two strong candidates of different genders that can work as HC and assistant.

 

[Kibitzer]

As this vibrant discussion continues, let me introduce an up-and-coming young coach that I see as being on a sharp upward trajectory: Ms McConnell-Serio of Pitt. She reminds me of Sheri Coale or Barnes-Arico, but she may be better. Bears watching over next few years.

 

[reno tony]

I already threw Jeff Walz' hat in the ring and now I will throw in Jose Fernandez' hat. He has done an excellent job at USF and gets a lot out of his players. I would also like to nominate Kelly Faris for some type of assistant coach. Geno has always touted her BB IQ and if she has some coaching skills she might be a great addition to the coaching staff.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I think you look at the lay of the land when you have to do so; this has a bad mojo feel to it.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Or maybe "oh girl", or maybe "Oh woman".

Don't you know that gender references of any kind are sexist Meyers; just look at what is going on on some campuses - the higher the tuition the deeper the PC BS.

 

[pinotbear]

I don't think there's much of a distinction between UHart and Tufts and I think Berube has had more success. I think she'd be at least as good a candidate as Jenn but I don't think there's any possibility either will step in after Geno!

Maybe it's just my perspective from having worked for 11+ years at a DIII school, but I've always thought there were a few big differences - DI has to deal with scholarships, greater travel, greater money issues, and a bigger (sometimes much bigger) media factor. Folks better versed than I in the issues might add more to this discussion.

 

[Carnac]

I'd be stunned if it didn't go to Shea.

OK.......Let's start the debate. For starters, I have no idea who will succeed Geno, or who would be on their short list.
If YOU were on the search committee, what current coach would be on YOUR short list of candidates? I'll throw out 3 names to get the ball rolling.

I'm impressed with Dayton's Jim Jabir, Louisville's Jeff Walz and The Indiana Fever's Stephanie White. I could see each one of these "established" coaches taking over the husky program and being moderately successful.

I doubt anyone will come in and have the success that Geno has. We're watching history being made. Like Wooden's legacy at UCLA, what we're seeing now at UConn will probably never be repeated.

IMO.....No one will ever come close to matching the success that Geno has amassed thus far. What say you??

 

[Kibitzer]

We all seem to assume that Geno will stay at UConn for five years or so. A lot of things might happen during that period. For instance:

- The coaches mentioned by Carnac (Jabir, Walz and White) might ascend to very high levels of success.
- Marisa may get a fabulous HC opportunity (Rutgers?).
- It would be hard for Shea to refuse a generous (say, $1.5M) offer from UNC to be HC.
- Kim Barnes-Arico (Michigan), Suzie McConnell-Serio (Pitt) or Katy Maier (Miami) may develop consistent Final Four powerhouses.
- Jenn (w/hubby as Asst Coach) may be content to stay and live in Hartford.
- Sue may hang up her sneakers after 2016 Olympics (plus a farewell season in Russia), then ease into coaching as an assistant in WNBA.
- Diana will be dynamite on screen with Kara or courtside a la Doris.​

These possibilities are mere figments of my imagination - but I believe all are possible, even if remotely. Let's watch to see what unfolds.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

We all seem to assume that Geno will stay at UConn for five years or so. A lot of things might happen during that period. For instance:

- The coaches mentioned by Carnac (Jabir, Walz and White) might ascend to very high levels of success.
- Marisa may get a fabulous HC opportunity (Rutgers?).
- It would be hard for Shea to refuse a generous (say, $1.5M) offer from UNC to be HC.
- Kim Barnes-Arico (Michigan), Suzie McConnell-Serio (Pitt) or Katy Maier (Miami) may develop consistent Final Four powerhouses.
- Jenn (w/hubby as Asst Coach) may be content to stay and live in Hartford.
- Sue may hang up her sneakers after 2016 Olympics (plus a farewell season in Russia), then ease into coaching as an assistant in WNBA.
- Diana will be dynamite on screen with Kara or courtside a la Doris.​

These possibilities are mere figments of my imagination - but I believe all are possible, even if remotely. Let's watch to see what unfolds.

Sorta my point, very well illustrated.

 

[triaddukefan]

We all seem to assume that Geno will stay at UConn for five years or so. A lot of things might happen during that period. For instance:

- The coaches mentioned by Carnac (Jabir, Walz and White) might ascend to very high levels of success.
- Marisa may get a fabulous HC opportunity (Rutgers?).
- It would be hard for Shea to refuse a generous (say, $1.5M) offer from UNC to be HC.
- Kim Barnes-Arico (Michigan), Suzie McConnell-Serio (Pitt) or Katy Maier (Miami) may develop consistent Final Four powerhouses.
- Jenn (w/hubby as Asst Coach) may be content to stay and live in Hartford.
- Sue may hang up her sneakers after 2016 Olympics (plus a farewell season in Russia), then ease into coaching as an assistant in WNBA.
- Diana will be dynamite on screen with Kara or courtside a la Doris.​

These possibilities are mere figments of my imagination - but I believe all are possible, even if remotely. Let's watch to see what unfolds.

Not a chance......

 

[jdubct]

Not a chance.

Agree. What is Hatchell's current salary at UNC? Probably a lot less than $1.5 million/yr.

 

[triaddukefan]

Agree. What is Hatchell's current salary at UNC? Probably a lot less than $1.5 million/yr.

I would guess somewhere between 450-600K per year

 

[ctfjr]

I wonder if we could entice the Orange Wonder, Holly W???

 

[reno tony]

I wonder if we could entice the Orange Wonder, Holly W???

Why not just steal their future coach.... Summit. He seems like he might make a good coach.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I know we aren't supposed to go there, but ...
There has always been an interesting dynamic with Geno because he is a guy - great coaches are great coaches regardless of gender, but there is no denying that within family units, and a college basketball team is not that far removed from a family unit, there is definitely different dynamics in play between authority figures of different genders. This is especially true the younger the non-authority figures are. And the typical breakdown is stronger bonds across gender.
The Uconn situation with Geno and an almost equal CD I think has been an advantage in recruiting over the years. These young women are leaving their childhood unit for the first time in their lives and there is a certain comfort level in adopting a similar unit in college.
I don't think this means you look specifically for a male HC, but I do think you consider at least looking for a mixture of two strong candidates of different genders that can work as HC and assistant.

I think the dynamics between Geno and Chris have worked very well for the Huskies. Their personalities work so well together and of course, their individual abilities to get the most out of these young woman is off the charts! It'll be very hard to replicate this dynamic duo!

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I, like the poster above, have no idea what will happen.

I do think that no one from Geno's tree (except maybe Berube) has had great success, and I read recently how happy she was at that level. It is just proof he is unique.

While I like the coaches mentioned by many above, I don't think Jabir is a likely candidate, I think he likes the lesser pressure of a Dayton.

Otherwise, I suspect the university will, when the time comes, and possibly in consultation with Geno, select the best candidate. If it is a former player, it will be because the school thinks they can do the job based on their resume, not because they are a former player. If it is an "outsider" it will be someone with an impressive resume, I am sure.

To the person above talking about a high school coach and UT-Austin, I think you mean Oklahoma.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Shea as an "assistant coach at UCONN" may have more "head coaching" experience than many actual D1 Head coaches.

thats like the District Manager of Walmart vs the Owner/President of a Mom & Pop's store... give me Shea, the District Manager!

 

[arty155]

Jen, Shea, Marissa, DT, Sue, and Carla are all in their 30s. Please don't insult them by calling them "girls", or even worse, "ladies". They are women...

-I’ll have to disagree with use of “ladies” now being an insult.

-In this country, by definition, “lady” is commonly used as “a polite name for a women.” We need not worry about it exclusively being an insult. On the contrary, its many definitions (excerpts below) prominently include common usage as “a polite form of reference.”

-I can attest to the fact the term “boy” you mention, just like “lady,” may be used by an impolite person in such a brusque manner that is quite insulting. However, no serious person would listen if I began insisting "boy" is exclusively, or even most commonly an insulting term, that I demand everyone suddenly refrain from using. They would, I'm sure, quite correctly point out the only real problem is my misunderstanding of the word's full usage, found everywhere in dictionaries.

- We simply need not worry about "ladies" now suddenly being an insult for women, or "gentlemen" insulting men. We could honestly disagree, of course, but I think then your real disagreement would actually be with Merriam-Webster's lexicographers.

 

[VAUConnFan]

1. Willnet Crockett
2. Tamika Williams
3. Tonya Cardoza
4. Jamelle Elliot
5. Stacy Hansmeyer
6. Paige Sauer

 

[VAUConnFan]

If UConn's search extends beyond it's borders:
Niele Ivey who will, more than likely, succeed Coach McGraw. It is no coincidence that Notre Dame's recent rise coincides with her return to South Bend.

 

[Zorro]

Diana would be the perfect choice to continue the Geno legacy of hard work, basketball super-smarts, recruiting prestige, and smart-ass quips for the press and the fans BUT, as someone noted above, she might find coaching too confining for her free spirit and she would also be perfect for the broadcast booth (and a very welcome change from what we have now). I don't know if Sue would be forceful enough to be a head coach, although she certainly has the smarts. Shea's nature might be just a bit TOO forceful, but her years as a Geno AC will undoubtedly have mellowed her, so I guess I have to bet on Shea. She and Geno could recruit together right up until his retirement, with the message that the program's excellence would continue after his retirement.

 

[j66kicker]

Diana would be the perfect choice to continue the Geno legacy of hard work, basketball super-smarts, recruiting prestige, and smart-ass quips for the press and the fans BUT, as someone noted above, she might find coaching too confining for her free spirit and she would also be perfect for the broadcast booth (and a very welcome change from what we have now). I don't know if Sue would be forceful enough to be a head coach, although she certainly has the smarts. Shea's nature might be just a bit TOO forceful, but her years as a Geno AC will undoubtedly have mellowed her, so I guess I have to bet on Shea. She and Geno could recruit together right up until his retirement, with the message that the program's excellence would continue after his retirement.

I don't see Sue as the least bit timid - she has run elite teams (by definition full of egos) as PG. Very assertive as a player