3. There has been a breakdown of connectivity between the players and Hatchell.
While doing a little researching, I was reminded that
Charlotte Smith hit that game-winning shot in the 1994 National Championship game.
The third point (above) raised in the North Carolina release catches my eye, in part, because it could address the first two issues, as well, and also says that the new coach needs to be able to connect to/with today's players and parents.
Smith seems to have done well as a head coach at Elon and certainly seems young enough (46?) to address that #3 criteria. I wonder if being affiliated with Coach Hatchell and/or NC would be considered a strength and/or fault. My guess is that she 's been away from the program long enough to carry the good and not the bad. We'll see...
If not, maybe NC looks at two high-visibility, younger assistant coaches who are well-known for their ability to relate:
- Shea Ralph of UConn, with her North Carolina background and championship pedigree; and
- Niele Ivey of Notre Dame, also with championship pedigree and lay of the ACC.
While neither has been a head coach, perhaps NC is ready to take a shot.