Shea Talks About Unicorns at UConn | The Boneyard

Shea Talks About Unicorns at UConn

This is the one thing that gives me hope for the return of Shea. Heading into the South she was returning to a comforting environment. But by now I thing she's been disappointed in her recruiting at Vanderbilt, which I'm sure she new would be difficult in the SEC. She may want national relevance and a steady supply of unicorns more than the ambience and ambient temperatures of the South.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
This is the one thing that gives me hope for the return of Shea. Heading into the South she was returning to a comforting environment. But by now I thing she's been disappointed in her recruiting at Vanderbilt, which I'm sure she new would be difficult in the SEC. She may want national relevance and a steady supply of unicorns more than the ambience and ambient temperatures of the South.
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Interesting but would the steady supply of unicorns commit to a coaching staff led by Shea or someone else once Geno retires? No way to know at this time. Chicken/egg argument IMO.
 
HCCForever said:
Interesting but would the steady supply of unicorns commit to a coaching staff led by Shea or someone else once Geno retires? No way to know at this time. Chicken/egg argument IMO.
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Sure that would be an issue and if you look at Tennessee their insistence on hiring alums did not work out. I am not looking forward to the tumult at UConn and here when Geno hangs it up. I'd give it a go because the second best coach in basketball isn't going to leave Texas.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
This is the one thing that gives me hope for the return of Shea. Heading into the South she was returning to a comforting environment. But by now I thing she's been disappointed in her recruiting at Vanderbilt, which I'm sure she new would be difficult in the SEC. She may want national relevance and a steady supply of unicorns more than the ambience and ambient temperatures of the South.
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Maybe, but take a look at this quote from the interview...
IMG_0765.jpeg
 
CL82 said:
Maybe, but take a look at this quote from the interview...
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This was her attitude upon arrival at Vandy and I essentially wrote her off. She's hardly tearing up the SEC and never say never. But,yes, I'd say her most likely home will be south of the Mason-Dixon line. I'd like a very well seasoned Natie winner to step up, but frankly there aren't many and those I like are equally unlikely to go anywhere.
 
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This is mostly anecdotal and @YoDore can correct me or add information, but I take her at her word in this interview, which by the way happened over the last month or so based upon the things that were spoken about. I think she's very happy at Vanderbilt. I also think the school is very happy with her. In short order, she has elevated that program. I honestly don't see her moving, absent something changing.

That said the University of Connecticut is a unique job. There's not a doubt in my mind that it would be tempting to her. Still, it's tough to leave a place where you have everything you need, and are appreciated.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
This was her attitude upon arrival at Vandy and I essentially wrote her off. She's hardly tearing up the SEC and never say never. But,yes, I'd say her most likely home will be south of the Mason-Dixon line. I'd like a very well seasoned Natie winner to step up, but frankly there aren't many and those I like are equally unlikely to go anywhere.
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Shea is the heiress apparent and we will be so lucky when she comes to take over after Geno & CD decide to retire. She is the only one (with the possible exception of Carla) that I am convinced could carry on the winning tradition here with very little dropoff. I believe Geno will leave her with a well stocked larder and she will show right away that UConn is still UConn and the recruits will see that and continue to come to a program that is the premiere “finishing school” in all of women’s basketball. I just hope she’ll come. Hopefully of course, that is several years (and championships) from now! Shea is the bomb!
 
Cuango said:
She is the only one (with the possible exception of Carla) that I am convinced could carry on the winning tradition here with very little dropoff.
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The list of possible successors who could make it work is longer than this.

She and Carla, yes, obviously. But everyone ignores Jamelle. She may not want it, but she could definitely do it. And as others have already noted, Shea and Carla might not want it either. Also Morgan Valley could do it. And Tonya.

And they don't have to come from Geno's tree. For example, Marisa Mosely, especially if Caroline Doty came with her. Well, she's sort of from the tree, but not as a player. And I know she left UW under a cloud, but I don't doubt her.

Nikki Collen is also a possibility.

But I'd like to see Shea or Carla.
 
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In my opinion, the Uncorns are more likely to come to Uconn when Geno retires for Princeton's coach Berube rather than Shea. I think Berube will be the next Uconn coach when Geno retires. She coaches baby unicorns at a school like Princeton where one has to coach above rather than below.......
 
Hummmm.

Shea’ been at Vandy 4 years and in her own words she has her first unicorn.

2 unicorn’s and 2-3 not quite at unicorn level and she’ll be getting a call from UConn to schedule a game or two.

Just-Say-N :)
 
What is wrong with CD becoming the coach after Geno? After all she is undefeated in her career. :)
 
Bone Dog said:
The list of possible successors who could make it work is longer than this.

She and Carla, yes, obviously. But everyone ignores Jamelle. She may not want it, but she could definitely do it. And as others have already noted, Shea and Carla might not want it either. Also Morgan Valley could do it. And Tonya.

And they don't have to come from Geno's tree. For example, Marisa Mosely, especially if Caroline Doty came with her. Well, she's sort of from the tree, but not as a player. And I know she left UW under a cloud, but I don't doubt her.

Nikki Collen is also a possibility.

But I'd like to see Shea or Carla.
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I rarely disagree with you, but each of those you mentioned have failed pretty miserably in head coaching jobs already! Collen is a bit of an exception but has certainly allowed Baylor to regress significantly. Shea and Carla should be 1a and 1b for sure. If they won’t come, maybe take a chance on Cheryl Miller or her brother. I’ve always thought Maya might be a good coach. I suppose I could live with Jeff Walz if I had to. Too bad Larry Bird is too old! He would do a great job! I’m sure there are some great coaches out there at some of the smaller colleges. If you could find a young Geno somewhere, our problem would be solved! :) I have a feeling the new coach at ASU is going to be a star.
 
I think Coach Ralph is happy in Vandy and being a competitive person that Coach Ralph is, she wants to build Vandy into a competitive program and she is on the right track. As far as the future of UConn and what may or may hold for Coach Ralph or whoever becomes the coach of UConn, recruiting won't fall off. A top program will still land solid players. The key will be how that player develops, blends their talents with the returning players, what that new coach brings in terms of style of play, and how that coach's philosophy balances with the culture of UConn.
 
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Tennessee made, repeatedly, the error of assuming that Pat Summitt's successors had to come from her “tree”, either as coaches or players. The results were Holly's downward trajectory and Kellie Harper's steady B+ results.

In seeking Geno's and CD's replacement(s) I hope the AD will look at competence in recruiting, player development, game planning and in-game coaching skills first, and use affiliations as a tie breaker, not as an initial filter.
I have a high opinion of Shea. That said, she has yet to compete for her league’s title.
 
Sifaka said:
Tennessee made, repeatedly, the error of assuming that Pat Summitt's successors had to come from her “tree”, either as coaches or players. The results were Holly's downward trajectory and Kellie Harper's steady B+ results.

In seeking Geno's and CD's replacement(s) I hope the AD will look at competence in recruiting, player development, game planning and in-game coaching skills first, and use affiliations as a tie breaker, not as an initial filter.
I have a high opinion of Shea. That said, she has yet to compete for her league’s title.
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I don't think the approach that Tennessee was that bad when they went with Holly. Holly wasn't all that bad. 7 seasons. 7 trips to the NCAA. Sure they suffered some early tournament losses but, in the end, a winning percentage around .700-.750 range, she could coach. I get having expectations. I just think that fans, mostly Lady Vol fans, had crazy expectations.
 
Vanderbilt (Ralph) and Princeton (Carla) have such high academic standards (admission) as to limit many of the potential unicorns that are elite high schoolers or transfers. In addition, Princeton (Ivy league) only allows 4 years of play (no graduate) and many who might wish to go there do not want to give up that graduate (5th) year. Not sure what the NIL is for these schools. Kudos to both coaches for what they have already accomplished, considering some of the constraints.
 
Bone Dog said:
The list of possible successors who could make it work is longer than this.

She and Carla, yes, obviously. But everyone ignores Jamelle. She may not want it, but she could definitely do it. And as others have already noted, Shea and Carla might not want it either. Also Morgan Valley could do it. And Tonya.

And they don't have to come from Geno's tree. For example, Marisa Mosely, especially if Caroline Doty came with her. Well, she's sort of from the tree, but not as a player. And I know she left UW under a cloud, but I don't doubt her.

Nikki Collen is also a possibility.

But I'd like to see Shea or Carla.
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UConn's women's basketball coaching job is the #1 women's coaching position in the country. When the time comes, they have every right to require proven experience:
-Winning at the D1 level (shows progress each year)
-Unicorn recruiting (unlike most schools, the benchmark is to win it all)
-Top level coaching (i.e. ability to make players better; make positive in game changes)

While I have high regards for coaches such as Marisa Mosely and Jamelle, their results were inconsistent. Most schools have to hire based on potential. While a factor for UConn, we are fortunate that Huskies can hire the best of the best.
 
I think something is being missed in this discussion. The head coach is obviously the most important member of the staff and Geno certainly fits that bill. But to me the success of UConn's program has been having a great head coach who can get and retain top level assistants who can fill the missing attributes that head coach may have. Men and women generally are different thankfully and to me getting the right pair in UConn's case was the key. Each has carved out a unique spot in the players lives. Fill in what characteristics are missing with assistants that fill those needs. Needs of both on and off the court - gets the recruiting job done.
 
I'm not sure if Geno will even have or want to have a say in who follows in his footsteps.
UCONN might just go with a pretty much unknown just like they did when they chose Geno and CD.
One thing for sure is who ever they pick to be Geno's and CD's successor, they are gonna have REALLY GINORMOUS shoes to fill.
 

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My, we seem to be devaluing unicorns. Too many unicorns=no unicorns. We need the BB definition of a unicorn; the other kind is extinct.
 
This thread about who would take over following the departure of Geno and CD is more than a little premature. Geno is at UConn at least until Sarah leaves for the W. Much can happen in the interim.

As for Shea, she has done a great job in turning around a program that was struggling and is now ranked in the top 25 of the NET rankings and is a steady participant in the NCAA Tournament. A recent study published in the Wall Street Journal by an Indiana University professor ranked the top ten men's and women's basketball programs by their "enterprise value" based on revenues, cash flows and making financial projections. Not surprising Duke and North Carolina topped the men's side while what was surprising was Vanderbilt's women's program was #7 of the top ten and beat out programs like USC and Louisville. *

While some may conjecture Shea could be a possible replacement for Geno when he decides to hang it up, she certainly might consider Nashville a little more dynamic environment than Storrs and stay right where she is.

*P.S. (The Tar Heels men's basketball enterprise value was estimated at $378 million and Blue Devils at $370 million. For women, UConn had the highest value at $95 million, South Carolina was second at $86 million and Vanderbilt at #7 was $58 million. )
 
Post script to above: Bit of a digression from the thread but according to SI, the valuations try to determine what each program would be worth if it was sold as a professional team considering brand value plus the other criteria mentioned. . (The UConn men's basketball team did not make the top 10 which ranged from $378 million to $217 million. Would think however two back-to-back Natties would certainly put UConn's brand on the top 10.)
 
WiseWillie said:
Post script to above: Bit of a digression from the thread but according to SI, the valuations try to determine what each program would be worth if it was sold as a professional team considering brand value plus the other criteria mentioned. . (The UConn men's basketball team did not make the top 10 which ranged from $378 million to $217 million. Would think however two back-to-back Natties would certainly put UConn's brand on the top 10.)
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If they could undervalue UCWBB, they would. It’s all about the P2/3/4.
 
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JellyBean said:
I don't think the approach that Tennessee was that bad when they went with Holly. Holly wasn't all that bad. 7 seasons. 7 trips to the NCAA. Sure they suffered some early tournament losses but, in the end, a winning percentage around .700-.750 range, she could coach. I get having expectations. I just think that fans, mostly Lady Vol fans, had crazy expectations.
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Yes, her record was respectable I suppose (for most schools) but let’s face it, she ran that program into the ground. There was reportedly very lax discipline and she, Holly had very little bball knowledge beyond trying to emulate Pat. She seemed incapable of making adjustments. I think Evina could tell some stories about the state of that program there at the end.
 
Zinethar said:
I think something is being missed in this discussion. The head coach is obviously the most important member of the staff and Geno certainly fits that bill. But to me the success of UConn's program has been having a great head coach who can get and retain top level assistants who can fill the missing attributes that head coach may have. Men and women generally are different thankfully and to me getting the right pair in UConn's case was the key. Each has carved out a unique spot in the players lives. Fill in what characteristics are missing with assistants that fill those needs. Needs of both on and off the court - gets the recruiting job done.
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I agree that assistants are very important to the success of a program, but I don't think any HS kid chooses a school based on the quality of the assistants.
 
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