Who succeeds Pat?

[semper]

I was thinking along the lines of Tony, but just didn't dare say anything. There has been a great deal of fairly bizarre behaviour. I won't add up my many impressions, but any one who has been following the game can do so. I remember this past year that several people mentioned, for example, how very different Pat looked, even that. So it's an awful situation, and just because we can see things in retrospect has nothing to do with disrespect for Pat and her countless achievements.

 

[Icebear]

I was thinking along the lines of Tony, but just didn't dare say anything. There has been a great deal of fairly bizarre behaviour. I won't add up my many impressions, but any one who has been following the game can do so. I remember this past year that several people mentioned, for example, how very different Pat looked, even that. So it's an awful situation, and just because we can see things in retrospect has nothing to do with disrespect for Pat and her countless achievements.

+1

 

[connboy77]

UConn might be able to continue on, and will obviously try to do so, but the odds ar against it.

Phil, I'm not so sure that the odds are against UCONN still being a great program, especially if someone like Jen Rizzotti became the new coach. UCONN is a marquis name among recruits, so I don't think recruiting will suffer very much if at all. I know Geno might be the greatest coach ever in Women's Basketball, but I feel UCONN would still win their share of National Championships.

 

[itsasport]

I think that both teams will do quite well after Pat and Geno are gone. As previously mentioned there is the fan support and school funding. The great tradition that the two coaches created will not disappear after they are gone. Many great players will still be growing up wanting to wear Tenn and UConn colors. There will be great coaches to recruit and train them, particularly concerning UConn. There's Jen; and, wouldn't everyone love to see Shea strutting onto the court? As a head coach,she would have a scary,beautiful presence. (And she looks immeasurably better in high heals than does Geno- I'm just guessing.) Both those ladies could continue the Geno "method" and then some.

I think that after Pat, Tenn will do particularly well. First, while Pat has the great name for recruiting, I think that her replacement should be a better coach regarding training and game tactics. I have felt that she was responsible for the under-performance of her teams, considering their talents.

But, most important to maintaining the "brands" for both schools is that after Pat, the Tenn-Uconn games(s) will be resumed. That game kept both programs on a pedestal above other WCBB teams. Even when the talent on either team temporarily dropped below that of other programs, that game allowed each to pull it back up in succeeding recruitment years. It won't suck the air out of the rest of women's basketball (which is a good thing.) But, I think that it will likely become THE GAME again ( especially if ESPN has any say in the matter.)

 

[VAMike23]

I think that the best way for Geno to maximize chances for continued success at UCONN after he leaves--and by continued success I mean a program that contends for the NC most years--is not to leave unless the cupboard is really full.

Say in 10 years we hit upon another similar situation where we have players at a level like KML, Moriah, Breanna Stewart, potentially a Diamond, etc. all coming in. (OK, maybe not a group like that, but something close to it!!) Once they are all on campus, Geno could retire and whoever comes after could realistically win another NC or possibly two with that kind of talent. If the successor coach can at least get one NC under his/her belt with the talent that Geno has brought in , it will make a big difference on the recruiting trail. It won't be the same after Geno leaves, but getting that first NC post-Geno will be the big kahuna. Get it, and UCONN could have a shot at still being UCONN after Geno.

 

[semper]

I think Geno will coach for 20 more years, at least. He is just too good. It's his life. He is so amazingly smart. Such fun to watch what he does. He gets in trouble with a certain kind of player, but usually he's right on the money. Look at Tina today, for example. It's beautiful.

 

[DaddyChoc]

+1

Ice I thought it was told to you that Pat had arthitis and her medication is what caused her to "look different"