P5 plus BE Coaching Hot Seat | Page 2 | The Boneyard

P5 plus BE Coaching Hot Seat

DaBball said:
Thoughts on some potential good hires for Pitt?

Probably one of the tougher gigs in the ACC, so it’ll be interesting to see who Heather Lyke can reel in.
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OK, just finished shoveling the first snow of the year in northern NJ. Here are some ideas for that Pittsburgh HC slot. I'd recommend going with a coach with head-coaching experience who understands the whole program-concept. Plus, while Pittsburgh is in Pennsylvania, that's southwestern Pa., with a lot of outreach to the Midwestern states. With that in mind:
  • Robin Fralick, 4th year at Bowling Green (Mid-American Conference) who are currently 24-4. You might also remember her for winning two D-2 championships at Ashland.
  • Kristin Gillespie, 5th year at Illinois State in the Missouri Valley. She's had winning records every year for the Cardinals and they're currently 21-7. Has a strong ACC connection in that she played point guard for Kay Yow at NC State.
  • Todd Starkey, in his 7th year at Kent State (Mid-American) and currently has a 19-8 record. Already the 3rd-winningest coach in school history with 101 victories, Starkey has led the Golden Flashes to three Postseason WNIT appearances and two Mid-American Conference East Division titles. Was at Lenoir-Rhyne prior to Kent State.
  • Brady Sallee, 11th year at Ball State (Mid-American), which is currently 23-6. Sallee, is the only head coach in program history to take the Cardinals to seven WNITs. He is also the program's winningest coach with 183 victories. Sallee is known for playing whomever he thinks will work best at the moment and I saw instances of that against Notre Dame. Should be ready for the challenge. And...
  • Beth Cunningham, 1st year at Missouri State (19-8) in Missouri Valley. Probably too early, but you never know. Has had a good year, after coming to program relatively late. Had extensive previous head coaching experience at VCU, then was associate head coach under Muffet McGraw for 8 years, before spending two years with Kara Lawson at Duke. Knows the ACC very well.
 
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Dillon77 said:
OK, just finished shoveling the first snow of the year in northern NJ. Here are some ideas for that Pittsburgh HC slot. I'd recommend going with a coach with head-coaching experience who understands the whole program-concept. Plus, while Pittsburgh is in Pennsylvania, that's southwestern Pa., with a lot of outreach to the Midwestern states. With that in mind:
  • Robin Fralick, 4th year at Bowling Green (Mid-American Conference) who are currently 24-4. You might also remember her for winning two D-2 championships at Ashland.
  • Kristin Gillespie, 5th year at Illinois State in the Missouri Valley. She's had winning records every year for the Cardinals and they're currently 21-7. Has a strong ACC connection in that she played point guard for Kay Yow at NC State.
  • Todd Starkey, in his 7th year at Kent State (Mid-American) and currently has a 19-8 record. Already the 3rd-winningest coach in school history with 101 victories, Starkey has led the Golden Flashes to three Postseason WNIT appearances and two Mid-American Conference East Division titles. Was at Lenoir-Rhyne prior to Kent State.
  • Brady Sallee, 11th year at Ball State (Mid-American), which is currently 23-6. Sallee, is the only head coach in program history to take the Cardinals to seven WNITs. He is also the program's winningest coach with 183 victories. Sallee is known for playing whomever he thinks will work best at the moment and I saw instances of that against Notre Dame. Should be ready for the challenge. And...
  • Beth Cunningham, 1st year at Missouri State (19-8) in Missouri Valley. Probably too early, but you never know. Has had a good year, after coming to program relatively late. Had extensive previous head coaching experience at VCU, then was associate head coach under Muffet McGraw for 8 years, before spending two years with Kara Lawson at Duke. Knows the ACC very well.
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I'm going to admit I never particularly heard of any of them, except Beth Cunningham. She did quite well at times when she was at VCU, never quite understood her return to work with Muffet. But one year at Missouri State? Yes, a bit early to be moving on, especially if she is comfortable there.

Pitt was in the old Big East, and we followed them for years. Folks say you can win there. I would think so, but . . .

Kirk Bruce - (158-214), went 3-15 each of his last 3 years in the BE and 20-67 over all. 13 years.

Tracie Waites - (53-85) - don't know a lot about her, she previously was an assistant at Arizona (who knew?) and been out of coaching for 20 years now. While she was at Pitt, she comped us to a tourney she was playing in at Arizona, as Rutgers was in ASU's tourney with a spare day. Our first visit to Tucson, comp arranged through Rutgers WBB.

Agnus Berenato (161-148) - perhaps showed what is possible - four 20+ win seasons, 3 NCAA appearances including 2 Sweet Sixteens - but ended her 10 year run going 0-16 in conference 2 years in a row. Yikes.

Suzie McConnell-Serio (67-87) - Considered a great hire. Not so much.

Lance White has been unsuccessful as well.

That's a long string of failure. I believe if I counted correctly that they have been under .500 19 of last 25 seasons. Oy.
 
Other than Pebley resigning at TCU, I think Pitt is the only real hot seat in the P5 this season.
 
I posted in the Openings thread, but Lindsay Whalen is stepping down from Minnesota, effective immediately.

Meghan McKeown says its "very shocking news" but I don't think that's true if you look at the record and lack of improvement.
 
CBus13 said:
I posted in the Openings thread, but Lindsay Whalen is stepping down from Minnesota, effective immediately.

Meghan McKeown says its "very shocking news" but I don't think that's true if you look at the record and lack of improvement.
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I think they have to "sell" it to those watching. Those paying attention have been wondering when it would happen.
 
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cancontent said:
I think they have to "sell" it to those watching. Those paying attention have been wondering when it would happen.
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That's fair. I just sometimes listen to McKeown with very obvious side-eyes. But you're right...they aren't just going to be like "It's about time for that program to get another chance at success!"
 
CBus13 said:
That's fair. I just sometimes listen to McKeown with very obvious side-eyes. But you're right...they aren't just going to be like "It's about time for that program to get another chance at success!"
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That got me busting out laughing.:D
 
GoldenGophs said:
Minnesota has the pieces to be a good team. Kudos to Whalen to stepping aside as it was clearly not working.
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I don't follow Minnesota at all, I just remember Whalen as being a good player. Could she maybe be more effective in an assistant coach's role or something similar? Not everyone can be a HC.
 
I could see her being a better coach at the pro level too; coaching in college comes with a ton of extra responsibilities
 
CBus13 said:
I posted in the Openings thread, but Lindsay Whalen is stepping down from Minnesota, effective immediately.

Meghan McKeown says its "very shocking news" but I don't think that's true if you look at the record and lack of improvement.
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She's going to stay on at Minny as a special assistant to the AD. Seems like a classy way out for all involved, that keeps the hometown hero involved in their program but in a capacity perhaps better suited for her skills. Too bad it didn't work out.
 
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TheFarmFan said:
She's going to stay on at Minny as a special assistant to the AD. Seems like a classy way out for all involved, that keeps the hometown hero involved in their program but in a capacity perhaps better suited for her skills. Too bad it didn't work out.
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I see it also as a way to avoid paying the contract buy out in full. Spread it out over time to absorb the financial hit.
 
A few comments for the posters who seem to be unaware how the contracts work.

1. I am on record as saying this was a bad hire from the start. Maybe at mid-major or lower D1 program she could have earned her experience but she was in over her head as both a recruiter and coach. P6 Coaches need either P6 Assistant duties or be a HC at a lower level level.
2. Her contract is guaranteed so the school is paying her either way. The cost is “not defrayed” or spread out. She is being paid the full contract as a HC but with Assistanf to the AD duties while Minn has to pay another HC a full salary.
3. This was absolutely negotiated by the AD for her to step down to avoid her being “let go”. Whether it was “classy” by Whalen is debatable but kudos for her to at least say she’s staying on to help the school. Color me skeptical on her having any real duties to perform.
 
Huge shout out to Coach Whalen on the move to step down. Hometown legend tried to get the Gopher to some level of respectability. Just did not work out. Still a legend here in Minnesota, among the basketball fans of the great state of Minnesota.
 
DefenseBB said:
A few comments for the posters who seem to be unaware how the contracts work.

1. I am on record as saying this was a bad hire from the start. Maybe at mid-major or lower D1 program she could have earned her experience but she was in over her head as both a recruiter and coach. P6 Coaches need either P6 Assistant duties or be a HC at a lower level level.
2. Her contract is guaranteed so the school is paying her either way. The cost is “not defrayed” or spread out. She is being paid the full contract as a HC but with Assistanf to the AD duties while Minn has to pay another HC a full salary.
3. This was absolutely negotiated by the AD for her to step down to avoid her being “let go”. Whether it was “classy” by Whalen is debatable but kudos for her to at least say she’s staying on to help the school. Color me skeptical on her having any real duties to perform.
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Isn't better she's on campus in some capacity versus leaving outright? That's how I saw it. Phrased wrong maybe, but that's how the situation comes across to me.
 
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Coler said:
Coach Duffy would be a great hire for Minnesota.
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I thought about that for a second, but ...
  • My McGraw's Bench colleague, Raoul (not that one), who follows Midwest Hoops a bunch, thinks Whelan was "only" making some $550,000 this year, as opposed to Duffy's $750-$800,00 base at Marquette. For B1G comparison, he also thinks Coquese Washington is making around $750K base at Rutgers. So, Minnesota, if they want to get up to speed with B1G rivals and/or Big East, for that matter, need to up the ante.
  • His suggestion? Dawn Plitzuweit, who was earning $250K at South Dakota, before heading to West Virginia at some $500K. And she's done a pretty good job in a "new" area of the country. After those years in the Plains, she obviously has contacts in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc.
  • The shelves aren't bare at Marquette either: Duffy had two of her recruits earn All-freshmen honors and Liz Karlen has improved every year at the power forward slot. Like a few posters here, I think Duffy should work on developing that program and keep her eyes out very selectively (Hint: I'm thinking Northwestern in a few years). However, her agent....;)
 
Ok, domino #2 in the Big East just fell, Jim Crowley is out at Providence.
friars.com

Providence College And Head Coach Jim Crowley Mutually Agree To Part Ways - Providence College Athletics

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – It was announced today [Mar. 7] that Providence College and women's basketball Head Coach Jim Crowley have mutually agreed to part ways. C...
friars.com friars.com

7 years with little success 85-125/32-94 with a best finish of 7th and now the state university and an arch rival (URI) has a star coach in Tami Reese who has been nothing short of phenomenal in her 4 years. PC says a "national search" will start immediately.
 
I wonder if Reiss will leave URI? She would make a great hire at a P5 school.
 
Coler said:
I wonder if Reiss will leave URI? She would make a great hire at a P5 school.
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Two thoughts:
  • Don't say that too loudly. @DefenseBB is very happy with Tammi Reiss at URI and will not be happy with any rumors that she'd leave the Ocean State. :mad:
  • Plus, she looks happy there. She probably could've interviewed for the HC position at her alma mater, UVA, but chose not to. In fact, I think she signed an extension at URI (correct me if I'm wrong, @DefenseBB)
 
I think @Coler needs to stay in their own lane…:cool:

As @Dillon77 noted correctly, Tammi Reese signed a 10 year contract worth $4 million (plus incentives as well is my believe) and got a commitment to up her assistant coaches pay. She has been on record numerous times touting her relationship with Thor Bjorn, the AD, also stating she and her family love the area and the school. She has not only set season win records each of the past 2 years for wins, she has drastically improved the game attendance each of the past 4 years, from 429 per game the year before she arrived to 1,475 per game this year (6,011 fans in 2019 to 20,085 in 2023). That is no small feat considering how out of the way Kingston is.

Now that all said, a P5 salary of $800k per years is mighty tempting.
 
DefenseBB said:
I think @Coler needs to stay in their own lane…:cool:

As @Dillon77 noted correctly, Tammi Reese signed a 10 year contract worth $4 million (plus incentives as well is my believe) and got a commitment to up her assistant coaches pay. She has been on record numerous times touting her relationship with Thor Bjorn, the AD, also stating she and her family love the area and the school. She has not only set season win records each of the past 2 years for wins, she has drastically improved the game attendance each of the past 4 years, from 429 per game the year before she arrived to 1,475 per game this year (6,011 fans in 2019 to 20,085 in 2023). That is no small feat considering how out of the way Kingston is.

Now that all said, a P5 salary of $800k per years is mighty tempting.
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Shakespeare In Love Applause GIF by MIRAMAX


Love it when I see an increase in attendance.
 
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I will be posting how all the P6 tournaments have been doing once the Big 12 gets started. The trend is definitely up with the exception of one west coast P6 conference who will be further decimated soon....:D
 
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