Joni Taylor leaving UGA to be Texas A&M’s new HC

[militarydog]

Ole Miss gonna have to do some convincing and drop a bag she may not resist. She made some strong statements post game of LSU. Statements I love btw. I pray for her success wherever it lands.

She has done an incredible job there. However it would difficult to turn down SEC money and the chance to coach at that level.

 

[HuskyMJ]

She was just average. She inherited a solid program and after many years its not worse but not really better. Losing to Iowa State in that manner after Iowa State almost got upset by a mid major. Last year was her best team and they lost to Oregon who didn't even have their PG Paopao. The post season track record isn't there to me!

 

[cancontent]

The husband/wife thingie was not beneficial to the Wynns at Washington. It's believed that Shannon Perry LeBeauf was offered the USC job last season but wanted her husband as associate head coach They said Hell No. Google his name and you'll see why.

Maybe not there but it has worked with other programs.

It seems to be working for Gonzaga with the Fortiers. The Harpers also seem to have been successful at Missouri State and now Tennessee. And Arizona has this situation as well and it's worked out okay so far.

 

[southie]

She was just average. She inherited a solid program and after many years its not worse but not really better. Losing to Iowa State in that manner after Iowa State almost got upset by a mid major. Last year was her best team and they lost to Oregon who didn't even have their PG Paopao. The post season track record isn't there to me!

I mean, Taylor has assembled talent good enough to beat NC State in the regular season a year ago. Yet, when it comes to the post-season, she hasn't been able to lead her team to a Sweet 16. Some head coaches just don't get their teams to play their best ball come the post-season; she is young, so she has plenty of time to improve. But, once we find out what A&M is paying her, we can each decide if they overpaid based on her record(s).

 

[HuskyMJ]

I mean, Taylor has assembled talent good enough to beat NC State in the regular season a year ago. Yet, when it comes to the post-season, she hasn't been able to lead her team to a Sweet 16. Some head coaches just don't get their teams to play their best ball come the post-season; she is young, so she has plenty of time to improve. But, once we find out what A&M is paying her, we can each decide if they overpaid based on her record(s).

She was fortunate to get 2 of her best players back for the COVID year. Staiti was a 6th year senior. So I am just thinking she would have been in big trouble this year if it wasn't for that COVID year and that tells me she had not really assembled that great of a roster. They did beat NC State but took some bad losses to teams like Alabama and Auburn. Just the way their game vs. Iowa State went down in comparison to how Iowa State barely won in the 1st round, tells me Georgia underachieved.

 

[Dwilliams02]

She was fortunate to get 2 of her best players back for the COVID year. Staiti was a 6th year senior. So I am just thinking she would have been in big trouble this year if it wasn't for that COVID year and that tells me she had not really assembled that great of a roster. They did beat NC State but took some bad losses to teams like Alabama and Auburn. Just the way their game vs. Iowa State went down in comparison to how Iowa State barely won in the 1st round, tells me Georgia underachieved.

Honestly. I wasn't surprised they lose. This is the tale of two opposite teams. And it has been a headache to teams in the SEC outside of South Carolina.

I'm more surprised they didn't go after someone with a huge track record.

 

[southie]

She was fortunate to get 2 of her best players back for the COVID year. Staiti was a 6th year senior. So I am just thinking she would have been in big trouble this year if it wasn't for that COVID year and that tells me she had not really assembled that great of a roster. They did beat NC State but took some bad losses to teams like Alabama and Auburn. Just the way their game vs. Iowa State went down in comparison to how Iowa State barely won in the 1st round, tells me Georgia underachieved.

Trust me, I'm happy that she's the coaching hire A&M made. I don't think her level of success warrants a $1 million annual salary (which is my guess as to what A&M will pay her).

 

[sweetspot]

Honestly. I wasn't surprised they lose. This is the tale of two opposite teams. And it has been a headache to teams in the SEC outside of South Carolina.

I'm more surprised they didn't go after someone with a huge track record.

I think they did go after bigger names. Just didn't land them.

 

[Dwilliams02]

I think they did go after bigger names. Just didn't land them.

Should have waiting until they finished the season. This hire was a bit rushed.

 

[SECbbfan24]

She was fortunate to get 2 of her best players back for the COVID year. Staiti was a 6th year senior. So I am just thinking she would have been in big trouble this year if it wasn't for that COVID year and that tells me she had not really assembled that great of a roster. They did beat NC State but took some bad losses to teams like Alabama and Auburn. Just the way their game vs. Iowa State went down in comparison to how Iowa State barely won in the 1st round, tells me Georgia underachieved.

Georgia has some good young talent (Richardson and Hollingshead) but that team didn't make sense to me this year. They played hard and had their moments but given expectations, it felt like a big let down.

Feels like a safe hire... Joni isn't bad at all, she will recruit well and get to the NCAAT but not sure she will elevate the program either. She is still young so maybe she grows.

 

[southie]

I think they did go after bigger names. Just didn't land them

You just made my day!

 

[HuskyMJ]

Georgia has some good young talent (Richardson and Hollingshead) but that team didn't make sense to me this year. They played hard and had their moments but given expectations, it felt like a big let down.

Feels like a safe hire... Joni isn't bad at all, she will recruit well and get to the NCAAT but not sure she will elevate the program either. She is still young so maybe she grows.

How do we know she'll recruit well? Recruiting Texas is a different beast and has she ever coached in Texas? Recruited much in Texas?

 

[Plebe]

Ole Miss gonna have to do some convincing and drop a bag she may not resist. She made some strong statements post game of LSU. Statements I love btw. I pray for her success wherever it lands.

What did she say?

 

[SECbbfan24]

How do we know she'll recruit well? Recruiting Texas is a different beast and has she ever coached in Texas? Recruited much in Texas?

She very well could fall flat on her face recruiting but lets look at her recent recruiting classes at Georgia.

2017:
Que Morrison- 5 star recruit
Gabrielle Connally- 5 star recruit
Murray Bates- 4 star recruit
Maya Caldwell- 4 star recruit

2018:
Kaila Hubbard- 3 star
Donnetta Johnson- 3 star

2019:
Chloe Chapman- 5 star
Javyn Nichlson- 5 star
Jordan Issac- 3 star

2020:
Ashlee Barker- 4 star
Zoesha Smith- 3 star

2021:
Reigan Richardson- 4 star
Jillian Hollingshead- 4 star

2022:
Janiah Barler- 5 star
Sydney Bowles- 4 star

While not at the levels of UCONN/SC/Louisville/NC St/Maryland/Stanford etc she has recruited talent solidly. In addition to bringing in some good transfers (Coombs and Staiti). Has she maximized and gotten the most out of the talent? Probably not.... I am not 100% sold on her coaching per say but Joni seems likable and like a lovely person. She will probably recruit fine. Can her coaching get A&M where they want to go? That is the question...

 

[TC22]

What did she say?

 

[TC22]

She very well could fall flat on her face recruiting but lets look at her recent recruiting classes at Georgia.

2017:
Que Morrison- 5 star recruit
Gabrielle Connally- 5 star recruit
Murray Bates- 4 star recruit
Maya Caldwell- 4 star recruit

2018:
Kaila Hubbard- 3 star
Donnetta Johnson- 3 star

2019:
Chloe Chapman- 5 star
Javyn Nichlson- 5 star
Jordan Issac- 3 star

2020:
Ashlee Barker- 4 star
Zoesha Smith- 3 star

2021:
Reigan Richardson- 4 star
Jillian Hollingshead- 4 star

2022:
Janiah Barler- 5 star
Sydney Bowles- 4 star

While not at the levels of UCONN/SC/Louisville/NC St/Maryland/Stanford etc she has recruited talent solidly. In addition to bringing in some good transfers (Coombs and Staiti). Has she maximized and gotten the most out of the talent? Probably not.... I am not 100% sold on her coaching per say but Joni seems likable and like a lovely person. She will probably recruit fine. Can her coaching get A&M where they want to go? That is the question...

She also lost SEVERAL Top 10 recruits from Georgia.

 

[triaddukefan]

I think they did go after bigger names. Just didn't land them.

No disrespect to TAMU and its location but leaving a city like Louisville to live in College Station?

Plus its alot easier to remain on top of the ACC than fight through Staley, Mulkey, and Schaeffer.

She very well could fall flat on her face recruiting but lets look at her recent recruiting classes at Georgia.


While not at the levels of UCONN/SC/Louisville/NC St/Maryland/Stanford etc she has recruited talent solidly. In addition to bringing in some good transfers (Coombs and Staiti). Has she maximized and gotten the most out of the talent? Probably not.... I am not 100% sold on her coaching per say but Joni seems likable and like a lovely person. She will probably recruit fine. Can her coaching get A&M where they want to go? That is the question...

It will be interesting to see how she recruits. Again, no disrespect to College Station, but I imagine its alot easier to convince kids to go to school in Athens than College Station. No disrespect to College Station.

 

[SECbbfan24]

She also lost SEVERAL Top 10 recruits from Georgia.

That is true.... but we both know a select few schools basically cherry pick the top 10 recruits every year it seems to be fair.

I personally don't think A&M will be at the level they want to be with Joni but I guess they could have done worse

 

[southie]

No disrespect to TAMU and its location but leaving a city like Louisville to live in College Station?

It will be interesting to see how she recruits. Again, no disrespect to College Station, but I imagine its alot easier to convince kids to go to school in Athens than College Station. No disrespect to College Station.

Depends on what recruits want. It's my understanding that Georgia's basketball facilities aren't all that. I believe A&M just recently had some practice facility or the like built just for women's hoops.

While it won't be easy, Joni will find more elite recruits in Dallas, Houston, and Central Texas than she would in the state of Georgia and local states. The question is can she convince them to go to A&M over regional schools like Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, and LSU?

 

[Geew1992]

Surprised

Now Coach Yo to Georgia

She’s staying at Ole Miss

 

[HuskyMJ]

Do we know if it was an offer this fast after Joni left? Maybe she pulled a Walz and just leveraged interest into more money.

 

[SECbbfan24]

 

[Basket]

She very well could fall flat on her face recruiting but lets look at her recent recruiting classes at Georgia.

2017:
Que Morrison- 5 star recruit
Gabrielle Connally- 5 star recruit
Murray Bates- 4 star recruit
Maya Caldwell- 4 star recruit

2018:
Kaila Hubbard- 3 star
Donnetta Johnson- 3 star

2019:
Chloe Chapman- 5 star
Javyn Nichlson- 5 star
Jordan Issac- 3 star

2020:
Ashlee Barker- 4 star
Zoesha Smith- 3 star

2021:
Reigan Richardson- 4 star
Jillian Hollingshead- 4 star

2022:
Janiah Barler- 5 star
Sydney Bowles- 4 star

While not at the levels of UCONN/SC/Louisville/NC St/Maryland/Stanford etc she has recruited talent solidly. In addition to bringing in some good transfers (Coombs and Staiti). Has she maximized and gotten the most out of the talent? Probably not.... I am not 100% sold on her coaching per say but Joni seems likable and like a lovely person. She will probably recruit fine. Can her coaching get A&M where they want to go? That is the question...

Coombs was not a good transfer. She got pub because she came from UConn. Shaky and a big handicap offensively

 

[Basket]

Do we know if it was an offer this fast after Joni left? Maybe she pulled a Walz and just leveraged interest into more money.

He’s the best at that

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

This just doesn't feel like a fit to me. I felt like Joni was a perfect fit at Georgia.