Recruiting Process and KLS

[CamrnCrz1974]

From Rich Elliott's article
http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2014/05/20/samuelson-knew-last-month-uconn-was-right-for-her/

I thought these statements were very interesting:

“(Stanford) definitely (was) up there,’’ Samuelson said. “And I took a visit there and it was great. And Coach Kate Paye did a really good job recruiting me and I was glad that I got to know her. But when it came down to it I decided that UConn would be the best for me.’’

And Auriemma made quite an impression on Samuelson during the recruiting process.

“He’s so straight forward and he tells you exactly what he thinks,’’ Samuelson said. “He doesn’t have to lie or like sweet talk you to get there. He tells you how it is and as a player you know what he’s telling you is the truth and you can see by all the great players that have come out of there and everything that he’s done with that program.’’

In discussions of Stanford, Samuelson references one of the assistant coaches as the primary recruiter.

But when discussing UConn, she refers to the head coach as the primary figure in the recruiting process.

At this stage of Geno Auriemma's career, UConn Women's Basketball sells itself. And it could be just as easy for a head coach to have assistants whose primary job is recruiting, with the head coaching coming in for home visits and to be the closer (Joanne P. McCallie does this, with the exception of her early involvement with Elizabeth Williams; for all other players, the assitant coaches are always the primary recruiters).

But you have the best coach in the game - with the most national titles and a storied legacy - out there selling himself, selling his program, and selling the university to recruits. It almost seems that the hunger to sell himself and his program - and to be the best at what he does - that he first had when coming from the University of Virginia still there so many years later.

 

[sarals24]

It's always interesting to me to hear the same things come out of recruits' mouths, especially in light of recruitment accusations coming out of some other teams' fan bases. (Won't name names, but we all know who I'm talking about.)

They continually say that Geno is honest and upfront about the program, where they fit and what he expects. He never promises them the world, just a chance to play for the best if they work hard. His current players say that also; KML has said that's the thing she appreciates most about him. I'm sure that's part of the reason Banks transferred; Geno was honest with her about her role next year.

 

[pap49cba]

Pure speculation on my part but I wonder if Tara thought she wouldn't have to work very hard to get the youngest sister.

 

[sarals24]

I doubt it...we've all heard rumors from the beginning that Katie Lou wasn't a lock for Stanford at all. I'm sure Tara did her best, and Stanford normally sells itself. KLS just chose a different path.

 

[Vowelguy]

I've always thought that Geno was the closer as well. And nothing in KLS' statements contradict that.
For all we know, CD or Shea or MM were the main recruiters, but it was the interaction with Geno that had the biggest impact.

 

[Kibitzer]

From Rich Elliott's article
http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/2014/05/20/samuelson-knew-last-month-uconn-was-right-for-her/

But when discussing UConn, she refers to the head coach as the primary figure in the recruiting process.

But you have the best coach in the game - with the most national titles and a storied legacy - out there selling himself, selling his program, and selling the university to recruits. It almost seems that the hunger to sell himself and his program - and to be the best at what he does - that he first had when coming from the University of Virginia still there so many years later.

I recall at least once during a busy 40-game season that he took an "off" day to fly to St. Louis just to see Collier play in a HS game. Similar excursions to Maryland to watch Boykin. And many others. I can't resist paraphrasing a tiresome quote usually used to explain a team's loss, but used here to describe how Geno reeled in KLS, DJB, or Collier:

"Geno just wanted her more."​

 

[sarals24]

That's got to be just insane to have Geno at one of your high school games. When I was in high school I played against Ashley Robinson, and Pat Summitt was there recruiting her. I was freaking out and she DEFINITELY wasn't there to see me, so I can't even imagine how Ashley felt! (Pretty good, I guess, she blocked my shot twice on the same play. We won the game, though)

Pat was super gracious after the game and took pictures with our team and signed tons of autographs.

 

[Kibitzer]

I've always thought that Geno was the closer as well. And nothing in KLS' statements contradict that.
For all we know, CD or Shea or MM were the main recruiters, but it was the interaction with Geno that had the biggest impact.

I've heard it said that when Geno makes a home visit, he could take the beloved family dog with him when he left and the family would all smile.

 

[Icebear]

I doubt it...we've all heard rumors from the beginning that Katie Lou wasn't a lock for Stanford at all. I'm sure Tara did her best, and Stanford normally sells itself. KLS just chose a different path.

Youngest child choosing her own path.

 

[Drumguy]

She also said that she and the family have really gotten to know him since he recruited her sisters as well. So if basketball is slightly ahead of academics on your list (it's not a knock on UConn that Stanford is higher regarded academically) - I think KLS went for the best program she could, best mix of academics and basketball. Good academics and a coach who will push you to be the best you can and have the best shot at winning a NC.

 

[intlzncster]

But when discussing UConn, she refers to the head coach as the primary figure in the recruiting process.

At this stage of Geno Auriemma's career, UConn Women's Basketball sells itself. And it could be just as easy for a head coach to have assistants whose primary job is recruiting, with the head coaching coming in for home visits and to be the closer (Joanne P. McCallie does this, with the exception of her early involvement with Elizabeth Williams; for all other players, the assitant coaches are always the primary recruiters).

But you have the best coach in the game - with the most national titles and a storied legacy - out there selling himself, selling his program, and selling the university to recruits. It almost seems that the hunger to sell himself and his program - and to be the best at what he does - that he first had when coming from the University of Virginia still there so many years later.

I think in certain situations, he feels he has to. If a girl seems difficult to get or he really really wants her, he's probably in on that. It seems like he's point on most girls out west. Plus, he already had the previous relationship in place.

Also, some girls prefer a male coach (DT), and I'm guessing UCONN's coaches can sense this, and Geno takes point on those.

 

[Sonny44]

Plus he gets to sample those California wines whenever he gets there.

 

[intlzncster]

Plus he gets to sample those California wines whenever he gets there.

Probably the real reason, but my point is still part of it, if only a distant second.

 

[UcMiami]

Plus he gets to sample those California wines whenever he gets there.

That was what I was thinking - an awful lot of good food and good wine on the west coast. He'll let one of the others take the lead on the recruits from say West Virginia or Alabama.

 

[AnotherVolFan]

The exact reason why Pat and Geno were/are so great at recruiting
..they were the best closers in the game!

 

[Kibitzer]

The exact reason why Pat and Geno were/are so great at recruiting
..they were the best closers in the game!

Pat was/Geno is............................the best closer in the game.

 

[AnotherVolFan]

Pat was/Geno is........the best closer in the game.

Ummm....yeaaa I kinda said that already

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think it was either Jewell Loyd or Linnae Harper who said that the entire gym went silent when Geno walked in.

I chatted with someone at De'Janae's school who proudly pointed out that Geno had been there in person. A lot of people can't pronounce his surname, but everyone knows "Geno."

 

[intlzncster]

Ummm....yeaaa I kinda said that already

Pretty much exactly said it. Only closer would have been Pat/Geno instead of Pat & Geno.

 

[Scotter]

Geno is primarily the closer, but he also makes the calls all along the recruiting process when CD tells him to.

One thing that does distinguish UConn's recruiting from apparently Stanford and what Cam described at Duke is that Geno and CD's philosophy is to not have specific coaches recruit specific players. They purposefully make sure all four coaches are involved in recruiting and talking to each recruit including Geno.

 

[iri10]

Not long ago I read someone who said that women's college basketball was a more of a "coach's game" compared to most flavors of basketball. IMO this rings true. The players seem to buy into their coach's vision more than on the men's side (with rare exceptions, such as this year's UConn squad under Ollie). The talent is limited, so a coach's recruiting ability is all the more important. And that talent usually sticks around for four years.

With the retirement of Pat Summitt, UConn is sort of like the lone coaching superpower left in what was once a two superpower environment. The are other coaches/programs who might count as established or rising powers (the Stanfords, NDs, UNCs, Dukes, USCs, Baylors, etc. of the world), but none of them has yet reached the superpower level. This dynamic will not last forever, but for now the analogy seems apt.

At the risk of being "that guy," though: the flip side of all of this is that once Geno retires, things will certainly not continue as they have been. The conference UConn is in when Geno retires will have much to say about how they perform in the decades to follow. Right now Geno is the only elite-level draw UConn has, and the only draw they need. They will want some other draw, e.g. a prestigious conference, after he's gone.

 

[hjoerring]

Pure speculation on my part but I wonder if Tara thought she wouldn't have to work very hard to get the youngest sister.

I wouldn't readtoo much into this. I'm sure Tara was equally as involved, and we shouldn't underplay the role of Uconn other coaches. Personally, I had ND higher on her list- tied w/ Uconn and w/ UCLA a strong alternative to the latter. By going to UCLA she would stay home and get to play against her sisters. With all fairness to the Stanford people (and KLS) how many family members do you want on a team. I think it's better to have none- but 2 as max. Three is really weird and the whole chemistry thing begins to smell. Do you put all 3 on the floor at the same time, or do you work out a system to avoid it. I would think Tara found herself in a bind- you have to go after the best and KLS is the best, but it's a nightmare that you have 2 other lookalike. Perhaps Tara was preying that the older sister (Bonnie?) saw this coming and decide to graduate a year earlier. As for Geno, once Tara found herself in the box it was going to be difficult to strike him out 3X. Selecting ND would be a total rejection after the other sisters made it clear that it was Stanford or Uconn- on both ocassions.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

I wouldn't readtoo much into this. I'm sure Tara was equally as involved, and we shouldn't underplay the role of Uconn other coaches. Personally, I had ND higher on her list- tied w/ Uconn and w/ UCLA a strong alternative to the latter. By going to UCLA she would stay home and get to play against her sisters. With all fairness to the Stanford people (and KLS) how many family members do you want on a team. I think it's better to have none- but 2 as max. Three is really weird and the whole chemistry thing begins to smell. Do you put all 3 on the floor at the same time, or do you work out a system to avoid it. I would think Tara found herself in a bind- you have to go after the best and KLS is the best, but it's a nightmare that you have 2 other lookalike. Perhaps Tara was preying that the older sister (Bonnie?) saw this coming and decide to graduate a year earlier. As for Geno, once Tara found herself in the box it was going to be difficult to strike him out 3X. Selecting ND would be a total rejection after the other sisters made it clear that it was Stanford or Uconn- on both ocassions.

hahaha...don't be afraid to just make stuff up, then discuss it. Perhaps you should have left the speculating table after you were wrong on ND and UCLA. But, you double down..

My take...apparently KLS wanted to matriculate at UCONN.

 

[cabbie191]

I wouldn't readtoo much into this. I'm sure Tara was equally as involved, and we shouldn't underplay the role of Uconn other coaches. Personally, I had ND higher on her list- tied w/ Uconn and w/ UCLA a strong alternative to the latter. By going to UCLA she would stay home and get to play against her sisters. With all fairness to the Stanford people (and KLS) how many family members do you want on a team. I think it's better to have none- but 2 as max. Three is really weird and the whole chemistry thing begins to smell. Do you put all 3 on the floor at the same time, or do you work out a system to avoid it. I would think Tara found herself in a bind- you have to go after the best and KLS is the best, but it's a nightmare that you have 2 other lookalike. Perhaps Tara was preying that the older sister (Bonnie?) saw this coming and decide to graduate a year earlier. As for Geno, once Tara found herself in the box it was going to be difficult to strike him out 3X. Selecting ND would be a total rejection after the other sisters made it clear that it was Stanford or Uconn- on both ocassions.

I believe the oldest sister graduates this year so it would have remained two playing for Stanford had Katie chosen to go there.

 

[Mattydog7]

Plus he gets to sample those California wines whenever he gets there.

Lol.