Shea Ralph interview

[HuskyNan]

Shea discusses Vandy, as a program, and the university itself. I’ve been listening to Shea in press conferences for a couple decades and was still struck by how intelligent and well-spoken she is. Shea may coach Vandy but she’s still one of Our Girls and I couldn’t be prouder

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Where are we now as fans with Shea. There was a time when she was odds on favorite to replace Geno. Now I'm not certain she is even on the list. She talks vanderbilt like it's home and that is it. But that is what coaches do, right until they don't.

 

[Zarathustra]

A rather marvelous " COFFEE WITH KEVIN" and, of course "with" Coach Shea Ralph.
I enjoyed the whole thing!

 

[drweo]

Shea discusses Vandy, as a program, and the university itself. I’ve been listening to Shea in press conferences for a couple decades and was still struck by how intelligent and well-spoken she is. Shea may coach Vandy but she’s still one of Our Girls and I couldn’t be prouder

WOW! How impressive!

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Shea has always been a class act!

 

[CTBballfan243]

Where are we now as fans with Shea. There was a time when she was odds on favorite to replace Geno. Now I'm not certain she is even on the list. She talks vanderbilt like it's home and that is it. But that is what coaches do, right until they don't.

Shea would be crazy to “voluntarily” leave a program that is in a Power 2 conference. UConn needs to get invited into a reconfigured ACC or B12 for Shea to even consider UConn. Even then it would be a long shot.

 

[ERWUC65]

Where are we now as fans with Shea. There was a time when she was odds on favorite to replace Geno. Now I'm not certain she is even on the list. She talks vanderbilt like it's home and that is it. But that is what coaches do, right until they don't.

It's Vanderbilt, Nashville, new practice facility, etc.,etc.,etc. A great spot for a top level student athlete, and that is what Shea is all about. She may not get the top high school recruits because of entrance requirements, but she will certainly get the best people.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Shea would be crazy to “voluntarily” leave a program that is in a Power 2 conference. UConn needs to get invited into a reconfigured ACC or B12 for Shea to even consider UConn. Even then it would be a long shot.

Very good point. Of course the men's program will drive that decision if ever there is a decision to be made. Myself, I believe Shea is gone, gone, gone. But life is full of surprises too.

 

[HuskyNan]

It's Vanderbilt, Nashville, new practice facility, etc.,etc.,etc. A great spot for a top level student athlete, and that is what Shea is all about. She may not get the top high school recruits because of entrance requirements, but she will certainly get the best people.

Shea signed the #8 ranked player in the 2024 recruiting class. Justine Pissott, one of the Vandy players reference in the below article, is a transfer from Tennessee and was ranked #11 in high school and Jordyn Oliver, a transfer from Duke, was #12 out of high school. Shea has some talent on her team.

What Shea Ralph said about 5-star Vanderbilt women's basketball signee Mikayla Blakes

Vanderbilt women's basketball signee Mikayla Blakes is the highest-ranked player landed by Shea Ralph since she became the Commodores coach.

www.tennessean.com

 

[Cuango]

Where are we now as fans with Shea. There was a time when she was odds on favorite to replace Geno. Now I'm not certain she is even on the list. She talks vanderbilt like it's home and that is it. But that is what coaches do, right until they don't.

I think she’s clearly on the short list of desired successors but as she (unsurprisingly imo) brings Vandy into contender status, I find myself worrying that she might not be interested in coming back. She now has facilities that match up with anywhere, she is starting to sign top level talent, and it would not surprise me in the least to see Vandy right up there with LSU, SC, and Texas within two to four years. I can only hope that when the time comes, her deep ties to UConn will carry the day! I must say though, I’m not nearly as confident as I once was!

 

[huskeynut]

Shea is building "her program." She is in the SEC and is getting a brand new basketball facility at Vandy. Vandy is a top academic school and in Nashville. Recruiting is improving. Her program has a lot going for it.

Shea will always be a Husky but I don't see her leaving Vandy for UConn.

 

[itsasport]

Shea will be the next head coach at UConn after Geno and CD retire. I have a feeling that CD will want to be the head coach for a few years. But, after her, Shea. She will probably have advanced warning to prepare for leaving Vandy. She will probably be brought in as the assistant head coach for a year or two to reestablish herself there and be able to recruit players, who will know that Shea will be their coach.

Shea is the best person to continue the UConn tradition. There is no way that she will not be eager for the challenge and opportunity to be that person. I think that the Vandy administration and her own players would be thrilled for her, and she will have a great replacement ready.

How could anyone who has such a competitive nature, and particularly a UConn alum, not want to be able to walk into any gym as the head coach of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team and be able to recruit and coach the best players in the world?

 

[Bald Husky]

There is not a chance in hell that Shea would leave Vandy. Shea is building her own program with the full support of her administration. Why in the world would she leave to follow Geno at UConn where she would always be compared to him and the past traditions. It sure hasn't worked out for Tennessee where the coaches still are being compared to Pat Summitt. She has a brand new practice facility, recruited a top 10 player, and have new transfers that were in the top 15 as freshmen. A great university, the best conference, forging her reputation as a players coach who still demands excellence. I'm sure she would not even consider an offer from UConn, and she shouldn't. She is a great coach and I'm positive that she will bring Vandy to the top of the SEC in the near future.

 

[CL82]

Shea will always be a Husky but I don't see her leaving Vandy for UConn.

Vanderbilt is a good coaching job. I say good, but not great because in the recent history prior to Shea there hadn't been a lot of success. The university is investing in athletics generally and in women's basketball in particular. Shea's husband previously was a coach with the program so he already had familiarity with the university and the area. Shea is from the south and as she noted in the interview family and friends enjoy coming to Nashville. She is now having some success there and her programs seems to be trending where she wants it to be heading. All of those things make it incredibly unlikely that any program could lure her away from there. I suspect that Connecticut is one of the few that she would seriously consider, but I doubt she's going anywhere.

I could not be happier for her. She was a tremendous player for us, and then a great assistant coach. She is a husky through and through and it is great to see her success and how happy she is at Vanderbilt.

For what it's worth @YoDore posts about Shea and The Vanderbilt program from time to time. Those are always fun reads.

 

[Geosfun]

Look out for Vandy

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

IMHO Shea will stay at Vanderbilt!
Yes there is a part of her that would like to follow Geno but it's that little devil sitting on her shoulder saying, UConn, UConn.....
She is building a really nice program from the ground up!
The University loves her and is giving her top of the line facilities and other pluses!
Vanderbilt is a great University and she can establish herself not on someone else's coat-tails!
A lot of potential great HS players are going to sign on and ride the giant waves with Shea!
Bet the ranch, Martha, Shea has a home that SHE is building!

 

[Cuango]

Regrettably, I too am concerned that Shea may decide to stay at Vandy when the time comes. However, I wouldn’t go so far as to say there’s no chance of her coming back. I suppose if I were to bet one way or another, I’d have to bet on her staying at Vandy. She is clearly the one, but I’m thinking she may have chosen a different path and we will not see her back at UConn!

 

[DRR25]

Shea will be the next head coach at UConn after Geno and CD retire. I have a feeling that CD will want to be the head coach for a few years. But, after her, Shea. She will probably have advanced warning to prepare for leaving Vandy. She will probably be brought in as the assistant head coach for a year or two to reestablish herself there and be able to recruit players, who will know that Shea will be their coach.

Shea is the best person to continue the UConn tradition. There is no way that she will not be eager for the challenge and opportunity to be that person. I think that the Vandy administration and her own players would be thrilled for her, and she will have a great replacement ready.

How could anyone who has such a competitive nature, and particularly a UConn alum, not want to be able to walk into any gym as the head coach of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team and be able to recruit and coach the best players in the world?

There's no way Shea leaves Vandy to go to UConn as an assistant/HC in waiting. I have doubts she'd go back at all but I definitely don't see it the way you've outlined.

 

[KCD]

Shea will be the next head coach at UConn after Geno and CD retire. I have a feeling that CD will want to be the head coach for a few years. But, after her, Shea. She will probably have advanced warning to prepare for leaving Vandy. She will probably be brought in as the assistant head coach for a year or two to reestablish herself there and be able to recruit players, who will know that Shea will be their coach.

Shea is the best person to continue the UConn tradition. There is no way that she will not be eager for the challenge and opportunity to be that person. I think that the Vandy administration and her own players would be thrilled for her, and she will have a great replacement ready.

How could anyone who has such a competitive nature, and particularly a UConn alum, not want to be able to walk into any gym as the head coach of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team and be able to recruit and coach the best players in the world?

CD will retire when Geno does. She has already stated this multiple times. I also don't think that Shea will be coming back. I think Vandy is too good of a fit for her.

 

[Woof 101]

Shea will be the next head coach at UConn after Geno and CD retire.

I hope as a fan with all the the betting sites you are not putting your money on this. Shea spent a lot of years at UConn.
She has found a new home and is doing well. I doubt she has any reason to leave Vandy until retirement. Like Geno you don't build a program and walk away from it. She is in a very good position and I doubt not even Uconn would be a draw to her to have to follow a legend.

 

[HuskyNan]

CD will retire when Geno does. She has already stated this multiple times. I also don't think that Shea will be coming back. I think Vandy is too good of a fit for her.

Besides, there are other options. Princeton to UConn is a definite step up. Carla is from Massachusetts, too, just like Shea is a Southerner. There’s no place like home

 

[KCD]

Besides, there are other options. Princeton to UConn is a definite step up. Carla is from Massachusetts, too, just like Shea is a Southerner. There’s no place like home

View attachment 101875

That's my bet.

 

[ERWUC65]

I am a die hard UConn fan, have been for years, but I wonder what percentage of young women college basketball players make it to the WNBA? And if you are one of the many who do not make it, which one of the following institutions would you want your degree from: Vanderbilt, Princeton, Duke, Stanford or UConn?

 

[HuskyNan]

I am a die hard UConn fan, have been for years, but I wonder what percentage of young women college basketball players make it to the WNBA? And if you are one of the many who do not make it, which one of the following institutions would you want your degree from: Vanderbilt, Princeton, Duke, Stanford or UConn?

Depends on your major.

UConn kinesiology department ranks #2 in the US - The Daily Campus

The University of Connecticut Department of Kinesiology rose in national ranking, placing second in the United States in a recent evaluation of doctoral programs. The National Academy of Kinesiology conducted nationwide evaluation of doctoral programs, which examined three years of data from...

dailycampus.com

UConn Places Highly In Various National Rankings - UConn Today

UConn is considered one of the top public research institutions in the country and the rankings it has consistently received in the last year only reinforce ...

today.uconn.edu

In addition, UConn players seem to find their way onto ESPN or other media outlets. Ask Rebecca, Renee, Megan, Kara, Meghan, Deb, Sue, Diana, heck, Dan Orlovsky, et al.

 

[JellyBean]

Pretty awesome. I am hoping that Coach Ralph and Vandy can maintain that consistency in the SEC and keep making NCAA tournament trips.