It's Official: Shea Ralph Named Vanderbilt Coach

[Zanzman]

I thought the same thing. That's twice in 11 months two assistants have pulled a Delle Donne and disappeared in the middle of the night, figuratively speaking of course.

Someone gets fired someone gets hired why doyou feel it happened in the sly that’s the business of coaching You conspiracy theory people are way off base

 

[Zanzman]

Suppose (hypothetically, since we'll never know), that she had to travel to Nashville sometime during the NCAA tournament to interview with the AD, the Dean, or the Chancellor. If she had traveled for that purpose, she wouldn't have been able to return to San Antonio because of COVID restrictions.

Then the public story wouldn't have been complete fiction. It would simply have been altered to suppress appropriately non-public information.

If that is what happened, she and Geno have nothing to apologize for.

Skype and zoom work very well for job interviews thinking she’s left the team to interview during the tournament is ridiculous just ridiculous I can’t believe I gave to read this hogwash

 

[CTBballfan243]

Either can, and either would be an excellent addition to his staff, but neither appears to be ready to retire from playing professionally. I imagine a front runner will emerge by the end of the week. Geno probably has a candidate or two in mind. I wonder if Nakisha Sales would be interested in joining the staff? 😳 She’s currently an assistant at UCF. Geno is partial to hiring former player

Let’s see, living in sunny warm Florida or Connecticut............. it’s a no brainer.

 

[Plebe]

Where's the Geno quote?? This happened very fast - looked like she packed up her bags during the Tourney & already left! Very strange.

Whenever I wonder who to turn to for the most negative take on any event, I’ll be sure to remember from now on.

 

[CL82]

Well yeah, I'm totally serious. Did UConn mbb remain at the same level a few years after Calhoun left?

Well he left for the 2013 season and they won a natty in 2014, so... yes?

 

[Waquoit]

I remember many years ago the columnist from Manchester that passed away said it that one day Jen would be taking over the UConn program when Geno stepped down. My brain isn't working this morning and can't remember his name.

That was Randy Smith. He's the one that asked "with the disparity in competition, how should we judge WCBB players; by how they play against the varsity or the how they play against JV?" That's been my standard ever since. Too many here treat both types of opposition the same, imo.

 

[BobbyJ]

Suppose (hypothetically, since we'll never know), that she had to travel to Nashville sometime during the NCAA tournament to interview with the AD, the Dean, or the Chancellor. If she had traveled for that purpose, she wouldn't have been able to return to San Antonio because of COVID restrictions.

Then the public story wouldn't have been complete fiction. It would simply have been altered to suppress appropriately non-public information.

If that is what happened, she and Geno have nothing to apologize for.

Although I realize that the schools have very little integrity in these matters, I have to believe that Shea Ralph has more integrity than to interview for a job that isn't vacant yet let alone that her current team hadn't ended it's season yet. White wasn't even fired until April 6.

 

[uconnfan68]

There have to be at least 200 to 300 people on the Boneyard who believe themselves capable of filling that vacancy............

ftfy

 

[Charliebball]

Come on, players want to play, period, end of story. I was lucky enough to win my share in HS and college but given the choice of sitting and winning championships or playing and losing, I’m on the court. I never played a game I went in thinking we would lose; maybe playing a million playground games and learning OTJ from older and better players before I ever wore a uniform helped me forge that attitude, I don’t know.
I get a kick out of all the people on this board who can predict the future; I forget who, but a poster asked one such “Nostradamus” to provide the winning lottery numbers; I’m pretty sure he or she is still waiting.
And obviously, I am generalizing, there probably are players who think as you do.

if that was usually the case I think we'd have very fewer lousy teams out there............in the majority of cases, great players want to play with other great players and ultimately they want to win it all..........that's the UConn formula isn't it?

 

[Centerstream]

There have to be at least 20 to 30 people on the Boneyard who believe themselves capable of filling that vacancy............

And most every one of them believe themselves capable of replacing Geno, so...

 

[Cuango]

What's wrong then? If it's not the coaches, what is it? It's a mess!
To me, college recruiting is similar to grabbing a handful of spaghetti, throwing it against the wall, and seeing if any of it sticks.
What about all of the characteristics of a college and the team and the young people choosing the right institution for themselves.
Facilities- sports and academic, college strong in your major/interests, coach, style of play, location/weather, teammates, potential playing time, etc. Kids are transferring all over the place. Anyone who has ever transferred schools knows it's a messy process. NOT ideal!! Is this what the NCAA wants? Better question, is this what is best for the student athletes? Maybe it is. Will a kid transfer on a whim rather than stick out a tough situation that will pay off in the long run? Ugh

I think this transfer thing is ultimately going to harm women’s basketball more than it helps. Sure, there were some bad elements in the way it was implemented before with politics etc but why not try to fix those things rather than simply throwing up your hands and saying “no rules” , you can transfer any time for any reason. I don’t think the sit out one season was necessarily a bad idea. It forced kids to really consider if this (transferring) was the best thing for them.

 

[veryolddog]

So, is Jen Rissotti waiting to fill this spot? Or is it going to be Sue or Diana?

 

[uconnfan68]

Well he left for the 2013 season and they won a natty in 2014, so... yes?

I said after a few years... like after HIS recruits leave. I had huge hopes for KO, and he was great, until his marriage fell apart. I think that was the primary cause of his coaching demise. I'm not saying Geno's replacement won't be successful, even long after he's gone. I'm just saying that usually isn't the case, and that UConn will not be immune to failure.

 

[trb123]

Shea Ralph is the second UConn Husky going to Vanderbilt.
Liz Sherwood was a freshman center on the 2003-04 team who transferred to Vandy after winning the championship in 2004.
Her name has been wiped out from UConn archived roster.
It is also missing here
You can find her name by clicking on the box scores.
I bet Shea's name will not be removed from the UConn rosters.

 

[warbler1055]

So, is Jen Rissotti waiting to fill this spot? Or is it going to be Sue or Diana?

It's Jennifer Marie Rizzotti.
Sue and Diana are still playing professionally. They have seen the world and probably will not live or retire at Storrs, CT. Besides UConn there is nothing exciting about Storrs or Mansfield or Tolland or that whole area for world travelers like Sue and D.

 

[Magruber]

Well yeah, I'm totally serious. Did UConn mbb remain at the same level a few years after Calhoun left? Did football stay at the same level after Edsall left the first time (still with a decent conference)? When program builders leave, stuff happens, usually not always good. And if you think UConn has the same financial resources as Vanderbilt, I have an old bridge for sale you might be interested in.

UCONN v Vandy.
Let me think.
One is supreme dominant program and the other might become a tourney participant.
Clearly UCONN will pay handsomely and there are other strong ties that are attractive about UCONN for Shea.
She'll be at UCONN eventually.

 

[CL82]

You conspiracy theory people are way off base

Conspiracy Kitty says:
Or are they?

 

[MD#12Fan]

I think this transfer thing is ultimately going to harm women’s basketball more than it helps. Sure, there were some bad elements in the way it was implemented before with politics etc but why not try to fix those things rather than simply throwing up your hands and saying “no rules” , you can transfer any time for any reason. I don’t think the sit out one season was necessarily a bad idea. It forced kids to really consider if this (transferring) was the best thing for them.

I'm stodgy on this subject too. There are bad situations that require a student athlete to transfer. It could even be an academic concern. Maybe like Evina. (funny she was one that got "jerked" around) Those cases should be examined and evaluated and the student athlete's interests should be properly addressed in everyone's best interest. Then there are just student athletes flying around willy-nilly, distorting what college athletics should represent. Maybe last year's Arkansas team with 3 5th year transfers.
It may not be "one-size fits all". But like you say, maybe it shouldn't be "no rules" either.

 

[CajunHusky]

So, is Jen Rissotti waiting to fill this spot? Or is it going to be Sue or Diana?

Does she have to be a UConn grad? How about Karlie Samuelson?

 

[Vowelguy]

Shea Ralph is the second UConn Husky going to Vanderbilt.
Liz Sherwood was a freshman center on the 2003-04 team who transferred to Vandy after winning the championship in 2004.
Her name has been wiped out from UConn archived roster.
It is also missing here
You can find her name by clicking on the box scores.
I bet Shea's name will not be removed from the UConn rosters.

Not sure what you're alleging but the "here" you refer to was submitted by "unknown."

She, and other transfers, are listed in the MEDIA GUIDE

2021 Media Guide - University of Connecticut Athletics

2021 Media Guide

uconnhuskies.com

 

[Hoops01]

Need someone to coach the guards, Jen would be a better fit than Tamika.

Agree that they need someone to work w the guards, good point.
BUT think the staff needs someone younger then jen! Think they already have the wise older coach w coach elliot

 

[Zanzman]

Conspiracy Kitty says:
Or are they?

They are you dam cat

 

[Hoops01]

Isn't Jen Rizzotti available - would she not make an ideal assitant for next season as she awaits her next opportunity

Concerned the staff would be too old, better and healthier to have a mix of young blood on the staff

 

[ocoandasoc]

Geno, as well as his assistants, frequently attend AAU tournaments to check out recruits. There are quite a few photos lying around of Geno at these events. I’m sure he enjoys the summer and we know he plays a lot of golf, but UConn isn’t paying him a 7 figure salary to work only 6 months a year.

I bumped into Geno and Shea a few years ago here in Nashville at a summer AAU game. They were checking out a point guard from nearby Murfreesboro who I seem to remember had a pretty good college career.

 

[JellyBean]

I wish Coach Shea the best.

 

[Zanzman]

I bumped into Geno and Shea a few years ago here in Nashville at a summer AAU game. They were checking out a point guard from nearby Murfreesboro who I seem to remember had a pretty good college career.

But Geno doesn’t recruit in the summer only Shea and jamelle

 

[hoopsfan22]

 

[hoopsfan22]

 

[Hoops01]

Interesting situation for them with husband Tom coaching the UMASS Lowell team. At UCONN they were close enough to live on middle ground. But not at Vandy. Would Tom go back to being an assistant?

Edit :
the previous ct post article answered that - he is expected to be on her staff.

Why would she go without him???
Makes zero sense, plus he spent years there as an asst. This makes sense for
BOTH of them considering everything, great fit for both

 

[ocoandasoc]

Shea's first job at Vandy should be to figure out how to get the benches on the sidelines not the baselines. I have been to Vandy and hate the seats below the courts on both sidelines.

I've been to many games there but never get used to it. It's the weirdest gym of any major college program. But don't underestimate the home team advantage it provides.