Walz in position "to own women's basketball"

[pap49cba]

U of L Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director Julie Hermann said the run the Cardinals went on “is a game changer.” As a No. 5 seed, the Cardinals were the highest seed to ever make it to the title game.

“I personally believe that Jeff Walz is somebody who will change women’s basketball over the next decade,” Hermann said. “I have been saying it for several years. I think he’s in a position to own women’s basketball.”

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[Bestiarius]

Its hard not to like the guy. He does have his ducks in a row to become a monster program. Admiring and listening to Geno is one factor in his favor. Having a great arena is another. He sure can motivate his kids. I wish him good fortune.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

With friends like this Executive Senior Associate AD who needs enemies. Another guy just won number 8 trouncing his team by the largest margin ever, and this statement comes rolling off the tongue. Sorta like the jewel of the East. Don't know if Walz would appreciate it. Strange thing to come out of an Athletic Dept.

 

[amory]

I like the guy. Heck, it's impossible not to. Geno's gonna have something like 11 titles by the time he calls it a career, though. He'll always be the guy in women's college basketball the same way Wooden is the guy on the men's side.

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[Icebear]

It's promotional hyperbole. It is the guy's job. Let it go. He has a great product in Jeff Walz and wants Jeff to know they realize that.

 

[cohenzone]

Gosh, these statements are not, nor are they intended to be, any statement about Geno's place in the world. No need to see them that way. Walz is already a game changer for the sport at his university, just as Geno was at UConn. Will he become as dominant a force as GA? No sign of that, but who knows. Hard to achieve that, and the modern level of competition will (hopefully) progress to where even a GA would have a hard time matching his accomplishments, just as Wooden would have a harder time in today's game.

 

[rocky rococo]

As far as "the next generation" of coaches (post-Pat/Geno/Tara) goes, Walz is right up there, but still trails Mulkey even in his own cohort.

 

[Rayvin56]

I like the guy. Heck, it's impossible not to.

+1. I even like his tablecloth shirts...

 

[intlzncster]

I think this is good. WCBB needs this kind of thing. And I don't think it is as far off as people think. I mean, I don't expect him to destroy all comers, but this guy has made 2 final games in his first 7 years. That's studly.

And remember, he'll be coaching in the ACC. That sure beats the Misfit Toys Conference that we've been relegated to.

 

[intlzncster]

As far as "the next generation" of coaches (post-Pat/Geno/Tara) goes, Walz is right up there, but still trails Mulkey even in his own cohort.

If you are taking NCAA titles into account, absolutely. I do think Waltz is the superior coach however.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Hey, I like Jeff Walz. I just don't think it is an Athletic Department's role to be spilling out obvious hyperbole. Wanna make him feel appreciated? Give him a raise.

 

[OneTrickPony]

The juxtaposition of this cartoon and your avatar is pretty interesting, Dr. Jekyll...

 

[HuskyNan]

Walz is probably being courted by a lot of programs right now. Given Walz's success, it would behoove Louisville to write Jeff a big check every so often and suck up as much as possible. The guy's a keeper.

 

[WNBARookFan]

Louisville is definitely one of our current conference mates, at least on the WBB side, that I'd like to see on the OOC schedule fairly regularly. They're quickly becoming my second favorite program to follow. I'm just jealous of the WBB league they'll get to play in starting in 2014/2015.

 

[Icebear]

Exactly, Nan.

 

[Phil]

Hey, I like Jeff Walz. I just don't think it is an Athletic Department's role to be spilling out obvious hyperbole. Wanna make him feel appreciated? Give him a raise.

They aren't mutually exclusive. And you gotta believe, he is on everyone's short list (at least those with decent checkbooks), so now's the right time to make it clear how much he's appreciated.

 

[Icebear]

He is "in a position to own women's college basketball" Can, also, be read as firming the nature of the support that basketball crazy Louisville gives to its teams and the facilities that are there for building upon. Geno himself has said it is one of the best arenas anywhere. Again normal promotional hype.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

It's promotional hyperbole. It is the guy's job. Let it go. He has a great product in Jeff Walz and wants Jeff to know they realize that.

Couple of words, Ice: Julie Hermann

 

[Lynx23]

People on this board seem to have a lot of respect for Jeff Walz. He may or may not build Louisville into a powerhouse but one thing is certain, Geno will retire someday and a suitable replacement who can attract top recruits will need to be found if UCONN is to continue as the top WCBB program. There has always been speculation about former players eventually replacing Geno but maybe, just maybe, the best candidate is once again a male. Sustaining excellence is not easy and recruiting is the key, along with exceptional coaching. That's not to say a former UCONN player couldn't do the job, but Walz is a proven commodity. The bigger question is, would he want the job, especially if his program continues to develop at its current trajectory?

 

[Fiftyish]

If I were Waltz I would keep a copy of this statement handy so I could whip out at the next contract negotiation. Can't fault Jeff if the AD wants to put him on a pedastal.

 

[Cheddie]

Hey, I like Jeff Walz. I just don't think it is an Athletic Department's role to be spilling out obvious hyperbole. Wanna make him feel appreciated? Give him a raise.

It actually should be her/the AD's job. Yeah, Walz would likely appreciate a raise more than the hype. But she's not talking to Walz, she's continuing to market her program in consideration of re-alignment and changes. Let the ACC know what's coming; remind ESPN that Louisville should be featured more often, tell the city and men's fans that something good is happening on the women's team. Louisville is one of the top earning programs in the country and that doesn't happen by accident.

 

[Wonkster]

... Sustaining excellence is not easy and recruiting is the key, along with exceptional coaching. That's not to say a former UCONN player couldn't do the job, but Walz is a proven commodity.

Is he really a proven commodity? A guy who has yet to win even a conference championship? Someone whose all-time marquee player he did not recruit, but inherited?

Name his star-quality high school recruits landing in Louisville this June.

 

[EricLA]

I think it's kind of funny. Agree with what everyone said here. But it's unlikely he will ever actually win a NC, never mind own WCBB, unless he starts winning recruiting battles for the likes of Russell against the likes of Tennessee, UCONN, Duke, Stanford, etc.

 

[Icebear]

Thus another reason for the hype, eric, to help recruiting.