USA Basketball in no hurry to name WNT Coach

[UConnCat]

At this point four years ago USA Basketball had already named Geno as the head coach of the WNT. After USA Basketball announced last week that Coach K would return to coach the MNT, it doesn't seem close to naming the next coach of the WNT. Carl Adamec interviewed Carol Callan out in Colorado Springs and asked her where USAB is in the process:

"We’re always looking ahead at where we’re going. We have to look at what’s happening in Rio de Janeiro and at the world championships and when can we put training pieces together and therefore when do we need a coach. The process is such that we’re starting those discussions. We have a steering committee and a player selection committee. The steering committee picks the coach and provides direction on how we want to piece it together. Then the player selection committee does exactly that. They pick the players. We’ve had initial conversations on how do we want to start training, what are the time frames when we can train. Now the next step is to start talking about what does our pool of candidates look like. We’re not to that point yet, and we’re certainly not at a point of identifying the head coach yet. But I would say that happens in the next several months possibly. I know one time the men had a training camp three years out from the Olympics and didn’t have a coach. They just brought in a bunch of court coaches and trained without the head coach. I don’t know if we would do that. But we have so many options, and that’s why we don’t have a definitive date we’re going to name the head coach. As far as the players, we have to get the players in the next couple of months to start talking about a pool but we can always add to that. We’re in the beginning stages and we’ll talk seriously about that in the next couple months.”

Several months? Training without a head coach?

John A tweeted a few weeks ago that Kim Mulkey was the frontrunner to be the next head coach. Who knows if that was accurate but it makes you wonder if recent events forced USAB to go back to square one.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Interesting indeed.

Do we really think that BG's comments about Baylor and Mulkey are having this much of a ripple effect??

I wonder??

 

[baggerbob]

That just bringing in court coaches was when the men were losing in the Olympics, bad idea.

 

[ThisJustIn]

That just bringing in court coaches was when the men were losing in the Olympics, bad idea.

That was also when the top NBA players weren't interested and the players that were playing sorta thought they could just show up.

Bad mojo, but the way the competition is looking these days, our #1 team, healthy, is mighty imposing -- whoever the coach.

I'd rather them take the time than rush into a decision they're regret.

 

[UcMiami]

Not a big deal yet and I don't think the timeline has changed because of any recent events. On the men's side since it is not changing I think they were just waiting for the commitment. On the women's side ... I wonder if they were waiting on Geno to definitely remove his name from consideration before they started up the process. I hadn't heard a definitive 'no' until recently from Geno - a lot of 'I don't think so' but never the 'NO'.

 

[ucbart]

I think the next Olympic coach should Muffet!

 

[easttexastrash]

I think the next Olympic coach should Muffet!

She would be the best choice, unless Geno could be persuaded to coach again. They are the cream of the crop at this point. But I could probably coach this team to gold. I can't remember a time when there was more talent.

Young players that need to be on this team: EDD, Nneka, KML, Stewart and BG.

I watched the Sparks game last night and Nneka seems to have added bulk but not lost any speed or agility. WOW...what an athlete she is!!!

 

[baggerbob]

She would be the best choice, unless Geno could be persuaded to coach again. They are the cream of the crop at this point. But I could probably coach this team to gold. I can't remember a time when there was more talent.

Young players that need to be on this team: EDD, Nneka, KML, Stewart and BG.

I watched the Sparks game last night an Nneka seems to have added bulk but not lost and speed or agility. WOW...what an athlete she is!!!

I would agree about EDD, Nneka, KML, Stewie, BG, even though none of them is a point guard, that lineup could play a few minutes together.

 

[Husky68]

She would be the best choice, unless Geno could be persuaded to coach again. They are the cream of the crop at this point. But I could probably coach this team to gold. I can't remember a time when there was more talent.

Young players that need to be on this team: EDD, Nneka, KML, Stewart and BG.

I watched the Sparks game last night an Nneka seems to have added bulk but not lost and speed or agility. WOW...what an athlete she is!!!

Will BG need to work on her course load again come next Olympics?

 

[easttexastrash]

Will BG need to work on her course load again come next Olympics?

I previously said that I thought there was much more to that story than what was stated. So if you think you are insulting me with that comment, think again. Good try, but try harder next time.

I truly don't understand people like you who go out of your way to try to be a jerk. But whatever makes you feel better. It just reflects your maturity level.

 

[UcMiami]

Will be an interesting choice coming for the next Olympic coach - so much new talent arriving and some serious talent still holding on. The 2004 'rookies' were a very strong group especially at guard/wing - Sue, Dee, and Catch. Depending on health, they could all continue for one more team. I believe there has only been 1 USA team 5 time olympian and one 4 time Olympian - the 4 time Olympian number will expand by at least one next time around, possibly three.

 

[Vowelguy]

Young players that need to be on this team: EDD, Nneka, KML, Stewart and BG.

Dunno. Experience has value.
And who are you going to bump?

Jones and Cash won't be back. Maybe catchings and bird.
But other current pros (Appel, Renee, etc) may also be in contention.

 

[easttexastrash]

Dunno. Experience has value.
And who are you going to bump?

Jones and Cash won't be back. Maybe catchings and bird.
But other current pros (Appel, Renee, etc) may also be in contention.

I can't really see a situation where Appel makes the team ahead of Charles, Fowels and BG. She is a good player but won't make the team unless the US goes with four centers.

Harding and Montgomery are great candidates at PG.

 

[Vowelguy]

I can't really see a situation where Appel makes the team ahead of Charles, Fowels and BG. She is a good player but won't make the team unless the US goes with four centers.

Harding and Montgomery are great candidates at PG.

True. I just threw Appel's name out as someone who has put inher time with USA national, without thinking of her position. Yes, her chances are slim.

 

[UcMiami]

DT is back, and unless someone really steps up at PG or Sue is injured, Sue will be back as well. Catch is probably done because of age and the competition on the wing. Same for Cash and Jones. Fowles, Charles, Parker, and Maya are back. Whalen ... maybe one and done for her? Angel - head case? Augustus? Cappie????
Core players:
Centers - Fowles, Charles
Forwards - Moore, Parker
Guards - DT, Bird
Question Marks:
Augustus, Angel, Whalen (I think if Bird is out then Whalen is in for the veteran leadership - but they would only take one of the two to leave space for some new blood.) Cappie - think that boat sailed.
So there are probably 4-6 openings on the team.
BG, EDD, and Nneka are obvious choices leaving 1-3 other spaces for probably guard/wings. The competition is going to intense and hard to predict at this point, but Sims, Diggins, and Hartley will be in the conversation as well as a few more seasoned pros. 2014 Worlds and 2016 Olympics is the transition time for the back court as neither DT or Bird are likely to be around for 2018/2020.
2016 is probably too early for Stewie or any of the Frosh/Sophs currently around.

 

[HGN]

I think Muffet or Mulkey should be offered the job........Either would make a fine coach. And I am sure that BG would want to be on the next Olympic team since she declined the invite of the 2012 team.

But one has to wonder if the recent comments by BG would cause any lingering friction between her and Mulkey , if Mulkey is selected as the coach. Maybe the two will have some conversations between now and then and smooth things over.

Let's hope.

 

[easttexastrash]

First of all, we don't know if they have spoken since the interview.

But Mulkey can really hold a grudge. If she feels like she has been crossed she can be very cold. Unless BG reaches out to Mulkey I don't see it happening.

 

[Vowelguy]

DT is back, and unless someone really steps up at PG or Sue is injured, Sue will be back as well. Catch is probably done because of age and the competition on the wing. Same for Cash and Jones. Fowles, Charles, Parker, and Maya are back. Whalen ... maybe one and done for her? Angel - head case? Augustus? Cappie????
Core players:
Centers - Fowles, Charles
Forwards - Moore, Parker
Guards - DT, Bird
Question Marks:
Augustus, Angel, Whalen (I think if Bird is out then Whalen is in for the veteran leadership - but they would only take one of the two to leave space for some new blood.) Cappie - think that boat sailed.
So there are probably 4-6 openings on the team.
BG, EDD, and Nneka are obvious choices leaving 1-3 other spaces for probably guard/wings. The competition is going to intense and hard to predict at this point, but Sims, Diggins, and Hartley will be in the conversation as well as a few more seasoned pros. 2014 Worlds and 2016 Olympics is the transition time for the back court as neither DT or Bird are likely to be around for 2018/2020.
2016 is probably too early for Stewie or any of the Frosh/Sophs currently around.

Sue is missing a season because of injury; no guarantee that she can come back and will still be around in 3 yrs.
Why would Augustus be a question mark? She'd only be 32.
I dont see Angel getting denied if she wants to come back.

 

[easttexastrash]

I look forward to seeing Sims in the WNBA. With her defensive skills she will step right in and be a shut down defender. However, I would like to see her be a little more pass-first oriented. She has a tendency to look for her shot a little more than I think a PG should.

What about Vandersloot?

 

[UcMiami]

Sue is missing a season because of injury; no guarantee that she can come back and will still be around in 3 yrs.
Why would Augustus be a question mark? She'd only be 32.
I dont see Angel getting denied if she wants to come back.

I think Angel is not the most stable personality as last year in Atlanta proved. Talent wise no question, but ... I think it will depend on the coach and if they can get along and whether last year was just a blip.
Augustus - I think she might be pushed for a position. Great player but getting up in years and with some injury history.
Agree about Sue - but the current problem is a cyst and not an actual joint problem - no one has really stepped up yet to challenge her, and if she is healthy and still playing I think she will be in 'passing-the-torch' mode on the next team.

 

[TheTruthBelow]

There isn't really anyone to challenge Augustus or Taurasi at shooting guard. Someone like Prince could, but she's already pledged herself to Russia. Toliver is a fantastic player, but her size will hurt her chances. Pondexter is likely out of the running and will be 31 in January anyway. Lawson might have a chance even though she didn't get consideration under Geno. She was a major player for the US at the '08 Olympics and is a much better player now than she was then, and can easily swing between the 1 and the 2. On the downside, she's 32.

Point guard is more interesting. Someone mentioned Harding and Montgomery, but there are at least a few more that are more likely. Robinson, Sims, Diggins and possibly Vandersloot have a better chance. January is worth looking at as well. Should be fun to see how it plays out, but I don't expect both Bird and Whalen to be back.

8 returnees seems likely to me: Bird/Whalen, Taurasi, Augustus, Moore, McCoughtry, Parker, Charles, Fowles.

The coach will matter, as well. If it's Mulkey, expect to see Sims on the team. If it's Muffet, expect to see Diggins.

 

[Icebear]

Given the recent events at Baylor I question if Mulkey would be a top prospect anymore, especially, given BG's father's recent comments on the lack of any contact with BG since the Louisville loss.