Mid Major Coaches

[azfan]

We are proud to announce the 10-person midseason watch list for the 2025 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award presented by Her Hoop Stats. This is the second season of the award, and the award is named after the legendary former Harvard head coach. This year’s watch list includes coaches from seven conferences.

2025 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Midseason Watch List

10 coaches representing seven conferences named to midseason watch list

open.substack.com

I would add

Molly Miller - Grand Canyon

and if the list were expanded to 20

Loree Payne - NAU

 

[nwhoopfan]

What exactly is the criteria? Seems pretty random, just the author picking some coaches they like. Columbia is ahead of both Princeton and Harvard in the Ivy League, but their coach isn't included. How about Montana St.'s coach? Ball St.?

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

What exactly is the criteria? Seems pretty random, just the author picking some coaches they like. Columbia is ahead of both Princeton and Harvard in the Ivy League, but their coach isn't included. How about Montana St.'s coach? Ball St.?

Well, they explained the reasons, and these were selected from a pre-season larger list. I think the list includes many of the top mid-major coaches, but yes, personal bias can't be ruled out,

 

[azfan]

What exactly is the criteria? Seems pretty random, just the author picking some coaches they like. Columbia is ahead of both Princeton and Harvard in the Ivy League, but their coach isn't included. How about Montana St.'s coach? Ball St.?

And the coach at Eastern Washington in a true rebuilding year has done an amazing job I think. They gave Montana State a real run for their money earlier in the week and she was able to impose a pace of play on the Jacks last night that was indeed impressive.

But absolutely the Montana State program is a tribute to their coach and they are a really physical, fun team to watch. And they now have the inside track to win the regular season Big Sky title and I think given their depths they're going to be very difficult to beat in the tournament. Bobcats dancing, kitties resting

But I really appreciate about Loree Payne in the trust she has in her players. She told them to continue to do what they do against the Eagles which is launch threes and make every effort to get out and transition and that confidence really was paid off in the fourth quarter. The pressure on a defense that NAU generates can't be underestimated has it only took a 3-minute span for NAU to screen past the Eagles.

Coach Payne has an amazingly laid-back demeanor, an ability to engage and connect not only with her players but the fan base and those of us who remember the wasteland that was Flagstaff before her arrival can a test to her skill and acumen. Earlier I think someone mentioned her as a canned good to have replaced CTT and it's clear now that would have been the choice to make.

 

[JellyBean]

These lists of names are fine an all but there are always

What exactly is the criteria? Seems pretty random, just the author picking some coaches they like. Columbia is ahead of both Princeton and Harvard in the Ivy League, but their coach isn't included. How about Montana St.'s coach? Ball St.?

I agree. The criteria is very random. The coach at Norfolk State can't crack the radar? Purdue Fort Wayne?

 

[WBBTakeover]

These lists of names are fine an all but there are always

I agree. The criteria is very random. The coach at Norfolk State can't crack the radar? Purdue Fort Wayne?

Larry Vickers (Norfolk State) is on the list and deservedly so.

I was looking for Sean O'Regan (James Madison) on the list but didn't see his name. Wonder why he wasn't included.