The Geno A Show: Episode 1 | Page 3 | The Boneyard

The Geno A Show: Episode 1

My immediate gut reaction to that clip was, "I should not be seeing this," and I felt really bad for her.
 
UcMiami said:
Absolutely agree that we have a bunch of players that get adopted by our fan base as honorary 'children' and cringe whenever Geno treats them as the young athletes that they are, and not as his 'girls'.

I would relate it to the participation trophy mentality, and the 'its OK, you'll get it next time' style of coaching Geno has referred to previously. If you want that kind of a coaching find some underachieving team to follow, because Uconn WCBB is for world class athletes and adults.
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Agree, KLS seems to be handling it quite well.
 
Well, I can see how it would upset some recruits. There are a lot of them that cannot handle any criticism, even constructive, let alone the type of treatment Geno gives players like DT, Maya, Stewie and KLS for example. From seeing KLS in high school and that she played for Kiernan, I have to tell you, just from watching him coach games, he was no angel :cool:
 
wallman said:
Well, I can see how it would upset some recruits. There are a lot of them that cannot handle any criticism, even constructive, let alone the type of treatment Geno gives players like DT, Maya, Stewie and KLS for example. From seeing KLS in high school and that she played for Kiernan, I have to tell you, just from watching him coach games, he was no angel :cool:
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Good - maybe the All Access thing will be a tool to help weed them out.
 
For years fans have proudly repeated Geno's assertion that he treats his players as basketball players rather than as women who play basketball. Hearing him say that is fine with people but apparently not the visual proof of it.

My son played in a high school marching band that was ranked #4 nationally in its organization and class (US Bands, class 4). The way the band operated was eerily similar to the UConn women - numerous long, grueling practices, a drill Sargent band director everyone loved to hate, a tight-knit family oriented group of kids that were held to high academic standards...I could go on.

As a mom, I hated hearing my son be told that his marching posture was disaster and his playing was worse than a fourth grader but he didn't hear the insults, he heard challenges. I kept my lip zipped and let him handle it. I may have suffered hearing the instructors but was so proud when he was named Assistant Drum major and awarded Most Improved. he gained self assurance and confidence, all while making life long friendships with 100 great kids.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
 
Geno's been commenting on Saniya since she was a freshmen in these open access and she stuck it out. This is nothing compared to what he has said publically about her and Kiah Stokes through their years at UCONN.
 
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I thought it would be worse than what most were posting.
Lou is a tough kid, she can handle it.
Whether what happens in a locker room should be shown to others is another story, but permission was given and I am sure the players knew that cameras were on.
Lou is a better player, and person, every day since arriving at Storrs.
 
Didn't read the thread, but let chime in that watching star player development at UConn is like watching a Rocky movie. We all know what the script is going to be but sit through it so we can get to all the cheering at the end.

1) Promising HS play comes in.
2) Geno highlights weakness generating tension with player.
3) Player struggles with self-doubt through early Feb. but esp, Jan.
4) Geno builds player back up for post season.
5) Player triumphs in post season.
6) Repeat until senior year, when he is all love.
7) Player goes on to spectacular success as pro and credits GA.
8) Rinse and repeat.
 
Some fans think that because the players are female they rate a different, gentler treatment, apparently to include no public displays of criticism by a coach. Does that mean that whenever a coach gets in a players knickers on the sidelines the camera should cut away and any video instantly erased? Or maybe the players should get to vote on what gets telecast. Stop the game, let the players review the tape and vote on whether it can be shown.
 
CL82 said:
Didn't read the thread, but let chime in that watching star player development at UConn is like watching a Rocky movie. We all know what the script is going to be but sit through it so we can get to all the cheering at the end.

1) Promising HS play comes in.
2) Geno highlights weakness generating tension with player.
3) Player struggles with self-doubt through early Feb. but esp, Jan.
4) Geno builds player back up for post season.
5) Player triumphs in post season.
6) Repeat until senior year, when he is all love.
7) Player goes on to spectacular success as pro and credits GA.
8) Rinse and repeat.
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We could make a list of all the great players at UConn and with just a very few exceptions all went through the same progression.
 
HuskyNan said:
For years fans have proudly repeated Geno's assertion that he treats his players as basketball players rather than as women who play basketball. Hearing him say that is fine with people but apparently not the visual proof of it.

My son played in a high school marching band that was ranked #4 nationally in its organization and class (US Bands, class 4). The way the band operated was eerily similar to the UConn women - numerous long, grueling practices, a drill Sargent band director everyone loved to hate, a tight-knit family oriented group of kids that were held to high academic standards...I could go on.

As a mom, I hated hearing my son be told that his marching posture was fn disaster and his playing was worse than a fourth grader but he didn't hear the insults, he heard challenges. I kept my lip zipped and let him handle it. I may have suffered hearing the instructors but was so proud when he was named Assistant Drum major and awarded Most Improved. he gained self assurance and confidence, all while making life long friendships with 100 great kids.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
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Do you think that you would have felt the same if the band director's comments had been broadcast to tens of thousands of people on TV throughout the state and nation, including a close-up of your son listening to the spiel?

It still seems to me that most of those who are defending Geno (needlessly) are missing the point that a few of us are trying to make: it may be a legitimate and successful coaching technique to say such things to your players, and they certainly know what they are in for when they come to UConn, and yes, they are strong and can take it. But whether those moments should be televised to a huge audience of fans is another question entirely. I doubt whether UConn players or their parents sign up to have their weaker moments broadcast to the world, and I don't know what is gained (for anyone) by doing that. It is as much or more a criticism of SNY as of Geno, although I assume they both decided that this was OK to show.
 
JoePgh said:
Do you think that you would have felt the same if the band director's comments had been broadcast to tens of thousands of people on TV throughout the state and nation, including a close-up of your son listening to the spiel?

It still seems to me that most of those who are defending Geno (needlessly) are missing the point that a few of us are trying to make: it may be a legitimate and successful coaching technique to say such things to your players, and they certainly know what they are in for when they come to UConn, and yes, they are strong and can take it. But whether those moments should be televised to a huge audience of fans is another question entirely. I doubt whether UConn players or their parents sign up to have their weaker moments broadcast to the world, and I don't know what is gained (for anyone) by doing that. It is as much or more a criticism of SNY as of Geno, although I assume they both decided that this was OK to show.
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I'll second this one more time, since so many posters seem determined to believe that some of us are questioning the way that Geno challenges his players or the effectiveness of his coaching methods. We're--at least I'm--not. Nor do I think that the posters who have reacted negatively to the video are saying that Geno's players shouldn't expect what they signed up for, can't take it--or worse, should be treated with those proverbial kid gloves because they are women. What I, and I think some others, are questioning is the decision to televise this particular moment, and especially the close-ups of Lou, as part of the Geno Auriemma Show. In my view, SNY--and Geno, assuming he has a say in what gets on the screen--should do better than this.
 
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Strange. Fans want to know the inside story, at least until they realize that what happens on the inside isn't always pleasant. If you don't want to see this aspect of the game, or if you feel you "shouldn't be seeing this," please note that the red button on your remote is always available for you. Keep your mitts off of mine, however.
 
The microscope under which Uconn operates and has operated for 20+ years is also something that kids sign up for when they sign up for Uconn. Clips of Geno being mean in practice, video of players off the court and on in less than ideal situations are a constant. It is part of the package and while any one moment may cause individual players a second of angst, they enjoy many of the benefits of the attention and I believe recognize the drawbacks. Talk about building a brand - it is being built for them with no effort in that direction required from them. You think Lou or Napheesa or Gabby or _____ will not make just a little more money in endorsements because they are recognizable across the country before they turn pro. You think their agent will get a better foreign contract for them because everyone everywhere know Uconn and has seen them in video if not live broadcasts?
 
Did i hear Geno calling Dangerield 'Z' in the clip from practice? Or did I misunderstand him?
 
Thanks for the video. Geno is a tough taskmaster, as we all know. I was expecting that the video would be even worse than it was. No one in the locker room was happy, but the criticism of Lou was the most personal. He admits that he may be harder on her than on others, but she is the chosen one. I don't think he was any less tough on Stewie. He will get her to places she didn't think she could reach and couldn't have reached on her own. Her stellar play against Maryland came after the locker room scene against FSU. Geno complimented her on her increased toughness.

In their junior year, Geno infamously benched Stewie and Morgan. I'm sure they were embarrassed. He also complained about Stewie in her first year. Last year, I don't think he made any negative public comments on Stewie, Morgan, or Moriah. He had gotten them to where he wanted them to be. No one was happier when they were picked 1-2-3 than Geno. It's part of the process at UConn. I expect Megan will hear next year about how much Lou has improved.
 
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Well this thing had a lot more legs than I would ever have figured. Now we are in to meanderings. A good thing.
 
Keep in mind that people say Geno has mellowed compared to the olden days. So if he says stuff like that now, imagine what he was like in 2005 or 1995, eh? ;)

I'm not worried about KLS based on what I saw there. When I look at her, it seems to me that she has an interesting edge to her that doesn't always come out. I can see it in the way that she celebrates after getting hammered while completing a play. Geno is trying to make it come out on command.

This edge (or the potential for it) is IMO one of the things that separates her from a lot of players with similar builds and skillsets.

Honest question for people who know more of UConn history than I: would it be terribly amiss to describe KLS as "Strother with a chip on her shoulder"? I wasn't really watching closely in the Strother years. But I do feel that KLS is nursing a real chip on her shoulder. Watch out when it develops properly.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
I agree. It is subtle but she sits up straighter and starts this subtle shaking of her head - her dangly ear rings get going.
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And I'll bet she let him have it afterwards too. But within a few days of practice and games she knew he was right. That's why he's in charge.
 
BobbyJ said:
And I'll bet she let him have it afterwards too. But within a few days of practice and games she knew he was right. That's why he's in charge.
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That may or may not be true. And, yes, if you grew up as a little girl loving UConn WCBB and following the saga and listening to the grads and observing the rites of passage and the shared tears of the master and the pupil, then you come to the UConn program prepared to get between the anvil and Geno's hammer. I felt there was too much sharing of the hammer blows on TV and that opinion is unchanged. Not a big deal. Not wanting anything different in the program. BTW didn't think any better of Saniya being shown thrown out of practice last year.
 
iri10 said:
Keep in mind that people say Geno has mellowed compared to the olden days. So if he says stuff like that now, imagine what he was like in 2005 or 1995, eh? ;)

I'm not worried about KLS based on what I saw there. When I look at her, it seems to me that she has an interesting edge to her that doesn't always come out. I can see it in the way that she celebrates after getting hammered while completing a play. Geno is trying to make it come out on command.

This edge (or the potential for it) is IMO one of the things that separates her from a lot of players with similar builds and skillsets.

Honest question for people who know more of UConn history than I: would it be terribly amiss to describe KLS as "Strother with a chip on her shoulder"? I wasn't really watching closely in the Strother years. But I do feel that KLS is nursing a real chip on her shoulder. Watch out when it develops properly.
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Exactly. He knows there's fire in there and he's bringing it out. And once she sees what she can do with that fire she's gonna be a b***h for teams to handle.
 
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RockyMTblue2 said:
That may or may not be true. And, yes, if you grew up as a little girl loving UConn WCBB and following the saga and listening to the grads and observing the rites of passage and the shared tears of the master and the pupil, then you come to the UConn program prepared to get between the anvil and Geno's hammer. I felt there was too much sharing of the hammer blows on TV and that opinion is unchanged. Not a big deal. Not wanting anything different in the program. BTW didn't think any better of Saniya being shown thrown out of practice last year.
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I actually agree with you for the most part. Obviously the producer is after what they're all after, ratings and eyeballs. IDK if this is how UConn wants it shown or if they have no say.
 
vtcwbuff said:
Some fans think that because the players are female they rate a different, gentler treatment, apparently to include no public displays of criticism by a coach. Does that mean that whenever a coach gets in a players knickers on the sidelines the camera should cut away and any video instantly erased? Or maybe the players should get to vote on what gets telecast. Stop the game, let the players review the tape and vote on whether it can be shown.
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I agree. In many, many ways women are tougher than men.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
I felt there was too much sharing of the hammer blows on TV and that opinion is unchanged.
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I had no problem with any of it except the apparent reaction shot of Lou. That was unnecessary and obviously stirred emotions in many people the program can do without. As to that, I share your opinion.

Reading the thread, I kept thinking of the corporate workplace analogy. You chew people out. You do it behind closed doors, or you do it in a meeting of peers, or you translate it for public consumption. You don't broadcast a facial shot of the humiliated chewee to your customers.
 
JS said:
I had no problem with any of it except the apparent reaction shot of Lou. That was unnecessary and obviously stirred emotions in many people the program can do without. As to that, I share your opinion.

Reading the thread, I kept thinking of the corporate workplace analogy. You chew people out. You do it behind closed doors, or you do it in a meeting of peers, or you translate it for public consumption. You don't broadcast a facial shot of the humiliated chewee to your customers.
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BIG BINGO. Even the Navy Seals don't get that.
 
BobbyJ said:
I actually agree with you for the most part. Obviously the producer is after what they're all after, ratings and eyeballs. IDK if this is how UConn wants it shown or if they have no say.
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No, it's not ratings, per se. And if it was, why would anyone try to increase ratings by irritating the most loyal viewers? They are trying to tell a story, nothing more or less. And while I am not privvy to the contractuals, you can be assured that if Geno finds fault with the program, changes will be made. It is likely accurate to think that UConn and SNY are partners in the production. This is a common arrangement, similar to the Big 10 Network and the conference members.
 
I was okay with the video as a whole. Lou mentioned somewhere that she can be stubburn at times, and I know Maya was, it was mentioned somewhere that Stewie was - I think that can be said about alot of sucessful people. If you remember in one of Megan Walkers interview she mentioned she was stubborn and so was Geno.

But I'm pretty sensitive as well and can understand how it could be hard to watch some parts. Geno reminds me of a boss I had once - I accomplished so much working with him, he taught me alot. He went on to build a large company and moved on to better things but boy was he tough to work for.
 
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