If Geno could do it--Why can't any coach?

[Bgillon]

No he is actually checking to see if the player's put on their socks correctly. lol.

In respect to the thread, while there are many posts that give valid reasons for his success, it is highly unlikely that any other coach will ever equal or even come close to his level of achievement. Even Gino could not do it if he entered as a coach in todays WCBB field. There is too much parity in respect to players and coaches. Geno started coaching when the level of WCBB coaches was not as good and emphasis on WCBB was not as keen as it is today. He was able to establish his and UConns brand at the opportune time. He was the vanguard of the new breed of coaches. Other coaches today are following his example so that makes him less unique. Today he would be competing with more coaches like himself.

That presumes they would have figured out his secrets without Geno paving the way. Unless you are referring to the last couple of years, he has done it during this "tougher" period of WCBB with 3 straight NCs and 48 consecutive wins. Genius is hard to define but we all know it when we see it!!

 

[Jimbo]

It is difficult accepting that UConn will back off of recruiting a talented player because of parent issues, and even more difficult believing that Coach Auriemma would find such an issue so daunting that he would choose to just walk away rather than figure out a way of dealing with it.

I can't point to a specific example where this has happened, but these words from Geno lead me to believe that it has:
"For us, one of the hardest things for us to identify in recruiting is: do we want these parents in our program, yes or no. Sometimes it's not even do we want that kid in our program. Sometimes the kid's not a bad kid. Do we want these parents in our program? And you'd be surprised how many times we say, 'no, we don't.'"



His discussion of the subject begins around the 6:58 mark.

 

[Geno-ista]

No he is actually checking to see if the player's put on their socks correctly. lol.

In respect to the thread, while there are many posts that give valid reasons for his success, it is highly unlikely that any other coach will ever equal or even come close to his level of achievement. Even Gino could not do it if he entered as a coach in todays WCBB field. There is too much parity in respect to players and coaches. Geno started coaching when the level of WCBB coaches was not as good and emphasis on WCBB was not as keen as it is today. He was able to establish his and UConns brand at the opportune time. He was the vanguard of the new breed of coaches. Other coaches today are following his example so that makes him less unique. Today he would be competing with more coaches like himself.

Granted- there is more parity each year. But Geno started his dynasty after Pats, when there were only 3-5 contenders for the title. I think your post really diminishes his accomplishments. Stanford, Tenn, Ok, Baylor, ND, Md , Duke, A&M, SO Car, Texas, Cal- he has done it in a very tough environment.

 

[Gus Mahler]

No he is actually checking to see if the player's put on their socks correctly. lol.

Good one.

 

[UcMiami]

Willtalk and Geno-ista - it is an interesting question and not an easy answer:
On one side, there is no question there is more competition from other schools taking basketball seriously, and there are better coaches across the spectrum today than in the pre-2000s. That made the early competitive environment for Geno easier to navigate and to distinguish himself in.

On the other hand, for all coaches complain about lack of fundamentals in recruits, there has been an explosion of talent and athleticism and participation in sports by girls at all levels, and an explosion in the money, resources, and facilities available to college coaches which makes the process of building a program and competing at the highest levels easier. Add in the greater publicity for successful programs and much greater TV coverage which doesn't hurt.

On balance I think it is easier for newer coaches to break into the big time now than it was, and the pay is so much better that it is attracting better candidates. It is possible that we will reach a time where the building of a dynasty in WCBB is as unlikely as that in MCBB, but until the best talent leaves after 1 or 2 years in the women's game which is a long way away on current form, it will not change appreciably. Recruit a Breanna Stewart and you get four years to build around her. String together a run of Tina, Maya, KML, Breanna, and Moriah and watch out.

You look at what Kim has done at Baylor .829 win percentage and two championships in 15 years and it compares well to Geno. Jeff at Louisville .735 win percentage and two NC games in 8 years, or Dawn at SC .677 win percentage in 7 years. All comparable. And Geno himself has improved his record in each ten year segment as the competition increases around him.

No knock on what Geno and CD built nor on how special they are, and they will likely rule the universe as long as they want to, but the game is still ripe for the next such empire builders.