The solution is simple

[intlzncster]

The guy might be the best basketball coach walking the earth today.

In relative terms. If you wouldn't take Pop, Stephens, et al for an NBA coach over Geno your insane. If you wouldn't take K, Williams, et al in MCBB over Geno in MCBB, you're insane.

You don’t think his pedigree would land 5 star men here?

No. You way over estimate the open mindedness of young testosterone filled boys and (maybe more importantly), their handlers. Negative recruiting through the roof.

 

[August_West]

I’m serious. I want him to take the job.

Of course there is risk but it would be awesome.

To be clear. I find it intriguing with a lot of potential upside especially on the PR front. And he is a great basketball coach no doubt.

We could ( and probably will, no doubt) do way worse.

But it simply not going to happen . *


* I just did you a favor. With my prediction track record clearly geno will accept job tomorrow.

Jim Calhoun would be apoplectic.

We shouldn't care I guess because the program going forward is all that matters.

But yeah. It would be crazy.

 

[whaler11]

To be clear. I find it intriguing with a lot of potential upside especially on the PR front. And he is a great basketball coach no doubt.

We could ( and probably will, no doubt) do way worse.

But it simply not going to happen . *


* I just did you a favor. With my prediction track record clearly genovwill accept job tomorrow.

Jim Calhoun would be apoplectic.

We shouldn't care I guess because the program going forward is all that matters.

But yeah. It would be crazy.

UConn would be the number one sports story for the next 9 months. Every game would be on ESPN proper. So long unrated CBS SportsNet.

For some reason I find myself not giving a damn what Jim Calhoun thinks. Maybe because the last anchor he tied us to was close to drowning us?

 

[intlzncster]

In Geno's thirty years here, he has 6 high school players or the year play for him. That is at least 20 less then most people think.
People really shouldn't comment on teams they don't watch.

You're not wrong, but the POYs he does get are the right ones. Taurasi, Moore, Stewart account for 9 unique NCAA championships. No accident they are three of the best players in the world and all in the conversation for best ever.

-Someone who's watched them plenty.

 

[imno1]

How ballistic would JC go if Geno got the job? I'm guessing very.

JC might want Geno to take it because as great a coach as GA is he will never duplicate what JC accomplished while he was here. But I would love to see Geno take it over. It would be so energizing and entertaining for us casual fans

 

[whaler11]

What does this school need more than a unified fanbase?

Geno and Edsall on the same page. How is Rizzotti doing these days. Bring her back and it’s win win win.

 

[intlzncster]

He’s not outright saying no.

 

[intlzncster]

View attachment 29277

This does not fill me with confidence in DB.

 

[Padutch5]

you do realize that the womens team is so dominant because the competition maybe just isn't the same as the mens????

No, his teams are so successful because he teaches ball movement , boxing out and his players are always moving. Three things that were a mystery to Ollie.

 

[JMick]

This does not fill me with confidence in DB.

Why? You don't think it's worthy of at least a conversation?

 

[whaler11]

This does not fill me with confidence in DB.

Yeah he couldn’t close the deal.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Whatever your feelings on WBB are, the most accomplished college coach in the history of BASKETBALL is on campus and it’d be foolish for AD David Benedict not to reach out. I don’t ultimately think he’ll take the job but if we don’t land Hurley I have zero confidence in Benedict.

If he brings back Calhoun I’ll stuff a dead hooker in his trunk.

 

[intlzncster]

Jim Calhoun would be apoplectic.

Idk why Whaler and Jimmy are so intent on killing off JC. Man won us 3 championships for godsake.

 

[intlzncster]

Why? You don't think it's worthy of at least a conversation?

Not really no. And I follow the woman's team, and enjoy Geno immensely.

 

[whaler11]

Idk why Whaler and Jimmy are so intent on killing off JC. Man won us 3 championships for godsake.

I love him.

A: The way he got Ollie the job was bush
B: He’s been acting like a 75 year old child
C: We have to do what is best for the program - not what gives Jim Calhoun the good feelz

 

[intlzncster]

I love him.

A: The way he got Ollie the job was bush
B: He’s been acting like a 75 year old child
C: We have to do what is best for the program - not what gives Jim Calhoun the good feelz

A: it got us #4
B: Old men do that
C: No but he would literally die. Heart attack or what have you. #dontkillJC

On A

 

[nomar]

Too bad - but a lot of people are big fish small pond types. Shame that none of the opportunities ever appealed to him - perhaps the persona is false bravado to some degree.

This is very Chiefian.

 

[dwalks93]

You're not wrong, but the POYs he does get are the right ones. Taurasi, Moore, Stewart account for 9 unique NCAA championships. No accident they are three of the best players in the world and all in the conversation for best ever.

-Someone who's watched them plenty.

Geno did not always get the best players. He truly built the UConn program from the ground up. IMO Calhoun is probably the greatest men's program builder ever but, unquestionably, Geno is the greatest women's program builder ever.

Many of the best women players come to UConn because Geno makes them better and they win. Its a painful process and it is not for every recruit. Playing under Geno is an unrelenting trial but for women looking to win and to improve for the professional level there is no better coach on the planet.

One of the legitimate criticism of Coach Ollie in recent years has been the lack of player development. That does not ever happen with the UConn women...EVER!!!....they are very good when they get to Storrs but great when they leave. If Geno could do the same thing with men (unknown) he would have 5 * recruits knocking down his front door.

 

[Waquoit]

JC deserves a big chunk of grief as well as never-ending thanks. His instructing former players to not contribute to the program was awful, for one.

 

[intlzncster]

Geno did not always get the best players. He truly built the UConn program from the ground up. IMO Calhoun is probably the greatest men's program builder ever but, unquestionably, Geno is the greatest women's program builder ever.

Nobody ever said he did. Nor did anyone claim he doesn't develop players. He might be the best at every single aspect of running a program in the women's game.

But the majority of his Championships were won by those three players. Those three would have won championships anywhere. Not as many, but they would have.

Of all the great players in the last 30 years, those guys would have been the top 3 players you'd want coming in, with nods to Candace Parker, Catchings, and Holdsclaw. It's like landing LeBron, Jordan, and Kareem and having them for 4 years.

And Geno should get full credit for identifying, landing, integrating, and developing those three studs. To do it repeatedly is very impressive.

 

[David 76]

You're not wrong, but the POYs he does get are the right ones. Taurasi, Moore, Stewart account for 9 unique NCAA championships. No accident they are three of the best players in the world and all in the conversation for best ever.
[UOTE]

People who think what he does is easy, think he gets #1,2 and 4 annually.

But to your point, add in Dell's Donna who was also recruited by Geno. Quite a start for a HoF

 

[ASweet3781]

I want Geno to coach the team. I probably wouldn’t have said that even 3 months ago.

I’ve watched the last 8 or so URI games.... I like Hurley but I’d prefer Geno.

I think Auriemma is great where he is. He would never survive in men's hoop. His #1 ranked freshman barely plays because she drives him crazy in practice. He'd be in an asylum coaching some of today's men's players.

I do agree with you on Hurley. Not totally sold on him either.

 

[intlzncster]

People who think what he does is easy, think he gets #1,2 and 4 annually.
But to your point, add in Dell's Donna who was also recruited by Geno. Quite a start for a HoF

Delle Donne likely would have resulted in one or two more.

I def don't think what he does is easy. And as I said above, "Geno should get full credit for identifying, landing, integrating, and developing those three studs. To do it repeatedly is very impressive."

There really isn't any aspect of running a program he isn't great at. Hard time finding people who are better than him at any single aspect.

 

[dwalks93]

Nobody ever said he did. Nor did anyone claim he doesn't develop players. He might be the best at every single aspect of running a program in the women's game.

But the majority of his Championships were won by those three players. Those three would have won championships anywhere. Not as many, but they would have.

We are saying the same thing...I completely agree with you.

There is a reason Calipari or Coach K are getting the 5* one and dones now. It because those elite players think those coaches can best prepare and put them in the pros. Geno is no different in the women's game except the gap is even larger between he and his competition. Its amazing the entire USA women's national basketball team could be composed of only former UConn players (it was half way there last time olympics) and we'd probably win the gold medal every year.

Some players like Stewie or Maya Moore or Diana Taurarsi would have been great wherever they played. But its a little bit of the chicken or the egg argument..are they the greatest players in the world who happened to go to UConn or did playing under Geno at UConn help make them the greatest women's players in the world? IMO its the later...

The better question is could Geno coach and develop men the same way for the pros? If he could then every elite prospect in America would be signing with UConn. Again, that is a big "could"...

 

[nomar]

Nobody ever said he did. Nor did anyone claim he doesn't develop players. He might be the best at every single aspect of running a program in the women's game.

But the majority of his Championships were won by those three players. Those three would have won championships anywhere. Not as many, but they would have.

Of all the great players in the last 30 years, those guys would have been the top 3 players you'd want coming in, with nods to Candace Parker, Catchings, and Holdsclaw. It's like landing LeBron, Jordan, and Kareem and having them for 4 years.

And Geno should get full credit for identifying, landing, integrating, and developing those three studs. To do it repeatedly is very impressive.

I think 90% of the guys on this board (and 99% of MBB overall) actually do think he gets 3 of the top-10 players.

 

[intlzncster]

I think 90% of the guys on this board (and 99% of MBB overall) actually do think he gets 3 of the top-10 players.

That's probably true. I meant that as a rhetorical 'nobody', ie me.

 

[nomar]

That's probably true. I meant that as a rhetorical 'nobody', ie me.

Yep. I didn't see the full exchange.

 

[GemParty]

I spoke to Geno 10 years ago about the men's game. I think a position or two would make him think twice, but he said he couldn't deal with players like Melo. A few classes to stay eligible & gone.

 

[Ha Who]

What if Geno really encouraged people to drive to games even if it snowed?

Take him. You changed my mind.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Geno can't survive in an environment where his good players leave early? Best coach walking the earth my butt.