Pitt Stop.

[Wonkster]

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Does anyone here have a credible theory (or, better yet, knowledge) about the wheels coming off the cart for the Pittsburgh women's team? Was it the Markel Walker verbal switch? Something earlier? Coaches?

 

[UcMiami]

I think to start with the wheels were never fully on the cart at Pitt - I don't remember a time when they were ever competing at the top of the BE let alone nationally. And I don't know that the school has ever really gotten behind the team.
Then while Agnes is a great lady and good at PR, I don't think she is a very dynamic coach. And I think the team lost some of the fire when Shea left. They have never been a big noise in recruiting, but certainly Walker was a big loss.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Their youth was mentioned in another thread, but I think the problems are deeper. I'm with UcMiami, Anges may not be the greatest coach. She has a bit of the "rah-rah" to her that I've never much cared for, although she is actually quite nice, allowing RU fans into a restricted seating area of the arena a few years ago. Her comment being "I'm from NJ, so"

Incidently her Associate Coach is Patty Coyle, formerly of the NY Liberty, which is what landed her Bubbles Anderson for next year (plays for Mary Coyle Klinger at Rutgers Prep). Rutgers passed because Bubbles is a serious project, but you can't teach 6'8"

 

[Wbbfan1]

I think any chance of Pitt becoming an upper echelon team was gone when Shea left. She was the heart and soul of their recruiting efforts. I also think losing Markel Walker sister of Pitt. Panther Mercedes Walker didn't help.