Coaches to Watch

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bball_craz_31

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This list is simply something to keep in mind as the season progresses on. If and is a HUGEEEE IF Whalen steps aside or is relied of duties, these are some of the names I would expect to possibly be on Coyle’s list. Also, Minnesota is always going to hire a Female coach, so I didn’t bother putting Male coaches on the list. I am also in way saying I think she should or will be gone next year. I’m also not saying she won’t, this is simply a running tap we can keep if or when the job opens up.

Head Coaches:

Megan Duffy- Marquette (4 years)

2019-2020 (24-8) Made NCAA (NCAA Cancelled due to Covid)

2020-2021 (17-4) NCAA First Round

2021-2022 (23-11)

2022-2023 (16-8) Currently

*Defeated UConn 59-52 in 4th season
*Played at Notre Dame/Two Seasons for Minnesota Lynx

Tammi Reiss- Rhode Island (4 years)

2019-2020 (13-16)

2020-2021 (11-8)

2021-2022 (22-7)

2022-2023 (21-3) Currently

Lindy La Rocque- UNLV (3 years)

2020-2021 (15-9)

2021-2022 (26-7) NCAA First Round

2022-2023 (24-2) Currently

*Team rated in Top 25 for first time since 1994
*Played at Stanford

Carly Thibault-Dudonis- Fairfield (1 year)

2022-2023 (13-11) Currently

*Major role in Minnesota’s Class of 2022 top ten class
*Fantastic recruiter

Kristen Gillespie- Illinois State (6 years)

2017-2018 (14-16)

2018-2019 (19-12)

2019-2020 (19-10)

2020-2021 (16-9)

2021-2022 (19-14) NCAA First Round

2022-2023 (18-6) Currently

Megan Griffith- Columbia (7 years)

2016-2017 (13-14)

2017-2018 (8-21)

2018-2019 (8-19)

2019-2020 (17-10)

2020-2021 Cancelled due to Covid

2021-2022 (25-7)

2022-2023 (19-4) Currently

Carla Berube- Princeton (4 years)

2019-2020 (26-1) NCAA Cancelled due to Covid

2020-2021 Season Cancelled due to Covid

2021-2022 (22-4) NCAA Second Round

2022-2023 (17-5) Currently

*Played at UConn

Assistant Coaches:

Karen Blair- Associate Head Coach- Maryland

Jessica Keller- Assistant Coach- Nebraska

*Former Associate Head Coach at Illinois State. Also, a stop as an Assistant at D2 Minnesota State in 2011-2014

Calamity McEntire- Associate Head Coach- Illinois
 

I liked Duffy when we hired Whalen. This season was lacking a little pizazz until Marquette knocked off UConn

La Rocque sure has a resume
 
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You forgot the obvious: Kelly Roysland! She checks all the boxes Coyle wants:

1. passes affirmative action requirements
2. Former player
3. completely unqualified

After seeing 1-3, how could you possibly think it would be anyone else?
 

I would add Robin Fralick to the list, started in D2, has worked her way to Bowling Green and won everywhere she’s been.
 



Just a few suggestions, and not being gender bias

Megan Duffy - Marquette
Lisa Fortier - Gonzaga
Aaron Johnston - South Dakota State
Kristen Gillespie- Illinois State
Carolyn Kieger - Penn State (Roseville, MN)
Carla Berube- Princeton
Lisa Stockton - Tulane
Kevin Borseth - UW-Green Bay
 


Ignatius L Hoops said:
In addition to being close to retirement, Kevin Borseth had quite enough of the Big Ten when he coached Michigan. He engineered his way back to UW
Click to expand...
Ignatius L Hoops said:
In addition to being close to retirement, Kevin Borseth had quite enough of the Big Ten when he coached Michigan. He engineered his way back to UWGB
Click to expand...
No thanks on Johnston.
 

MOGopher said:
Just a few suggestions, and not being gender bias

Megan Duffy - Marquette
Lisa Fortier - Gonzaga
Aaron Johnston - South Dakota State
Kristen Gillespie- Illinois State
Carolyn Kieger - Penn State (Roseville, MN)
Carla Berube- Princeton
Lisa Stockton - Tulane
Kevin Borseth - UW-Green Bay
Click to expand...
We want the one coach who Whalen has been able to beat..twice this year?
 



Whalen is not going anywhere….and any coach the university hires WILL be a women. I believe that’s why Johnston isn’t a Gopher.
 






BBJones said:
Classic rant by Kevin Borseth:

Click to expand...
old video clip from his 2011-12 season at Michigan. His last season at Michigan, where Borseth was 20-12 and took the Wolverines to the NCAA tourney. UW-Green Bay is currently 21-4 and will make the NCAA tourney this year.
 

MOGopher said:
old video clip from his 2011-12 season at Michigan. His last season at Michigan, where Borseth was 20-12 and took the Wolverines to the NCAA tourney. UW-Green Bay is currently 21-4 and will make the NCAA tourney this year.
Click to expand...


That's great history and an amusing video clip. I still think several others on the original list are better coaches.

Speaking of classic video, here is one from back in 1994, I believe. Carol Anne Shudlick won the Wade Trophy. Back in the day when women's sports were fighting to gain traction, Minnesota women's basketball was ground zero for that dialogue. The video talks about that. I will add for me personally women in many positions in sports are still catching up.

 

MOGopher said:
old video clip from his 2011-12 season at Michigan. His last season at Michigan, where Borseth was 20-12 and took the Wolverines to the NCAA tourney. UW-Green Bay is currently 21-4 and will make the NCAA tourney this year.
Click to expand...
I’m pretty positive this was earlier……like 08 or 09. Why I say this is because I still worked for the team at this point and I watched this clip in the locker room with Coach Borton after a game and I’ll never forget her saying “he is thinking out loud 🤦🏽‍♀️”……this moment has stayed with me….for after games when I’m mad.
 

Belzx009 said:
I’m pretty positive this was earlier……like 08 or 09. Why I say this is because I still worked for the team at this point and I watched this clip in the locker room with Coach Borton after a game and I’ll never forget her saying “he is thinking out loud 🤦🏽‍♀️”……this moment has stayed with me….for after games when I’m mad.
Click to expand...
Feb 2008

www.espn.com

Hays: Wild rant shouldn't define Michigan's Borseth

Yes, Michigan's Kevin Borseth is a volatile guy who screams and stomps around on the sideline. But instead of jumping to judgment after four minutes of footage, know that he's also the kind of coach many complain is a dying breed.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 

Borseth has been this passionate his whole career. he coached at Div2 Mich Tech before the first time at UWGB. he was a treat to watch on the sidelines at games.
 

Ignatius L Hoops said:
I liked Duffy when we hired Whalen. This season was lacking a little pizazz until Marquette knocked off UConn

La Rocque sure has a resume
Click to expand...

Just some thoughts on the original list plus adding Whalen as a leading choice.

First group:

What Ignatius wrote. Ignatius is a fair person it appears and knows this sport. Also avoids outright opinions in favor of information and observations.

So Duffy built a great record with Miami Redbirds. There's hardly any other explanation than the coach did that. Then at Marquette made NCAA tournament twice, I believe, and right now projects to have outperformed preseason predictions and will make the tournament again this year though the first team out if another team comes on strong. Once lived in Minnesota playing for the Lynx. Made a 40 under 40 article saying she's significant which I assume means some influence for bringing in talent. I'm not sure she would come to Minnesota. Maybe this is a wish list but not realistic.

La Rocque's accomplishments are impressive. Gives her credibility. Will be making the NCAA tournament again this year. At the same time, if I remember this correctly, she's from the area and was able to get good local players to come to UNLV. Why would she want to leave a NCAA tournament team UNLV for Minnesota? Seems like the right fit at UNLV.

Next Two
Karen Blair at Maryland, Brenda's Frese's assistant. The Brenda Frese coaching tree is impressive. Maryland is a machine. I believe Blair was named the 2020 Division I Assistant Coach of the Year by the WBCA and has two decades of coaching experience. Has helped recruit killer recruiting classes that, realistically, probably has more to do with Maryland being consistently one of the best programs in the nation year after year. Anyway, a Frese assistant at machine Maryland with years of experience surely meets a gold standard.

Carla Berube, Princeton. What makes her jump out to me over the other "turned the program around" coaches is that she made it to #1 in her playing field several times. She won her conference more than once. She won her tournament. She was named the coach of the year for her conference and also coach of the year for NCAA Division III. Sometimes there's something about people who find a way to get to #1. This season beat Rhode Island and split with Columbia. Currently is the next team in to the NCAA tournament, just missing the cut.

Others Good Group
And then there are several other coaches that look good. Minnesota probably would be able to get them because they would be stepping up. Can coach and deserve such a job but not in a "wow" category.

I had mentioned that La Rocque seems to belong at UNLV. I would also add that, if I were Megan Griffith at Columbia I would hold onto that job the rest of my life. If I understand the story right, I think she grew up in Upper West Side of Manhattan not far from Columbia near Upper West side and loves Manhattan. I would never leave that job if I were her.

And then Lindsay Whalen. The "when does the seat become hot" thread started and then the discussion. The local pundits made this a discussion topic and made the argument that one more year is the right decision. I'm not going to rehash that debate. Others have opinions and suggestions.
 





I
bball_craz_31 said:
This list is simply something to keep in mind as the season progresses on. If and is a HUGEEEE IF Whalen steps aside or is relied of duties, these are some of the names I would expect to possibly be on Coyle’s list. Also, Minnesota is always going to hire a Female coach, so I didn’t bother putting Male coaches on the list. I am also in way saying I think she should or will be gone next year. I’m also not saying she won’t, this is simply a running tap we can keep if or when the job opens up.

Head Coaches:

Megan Duffy- Marquette (4 years)

2019-2020 (24-8) Made NCAA (NCAA Cancelled due to Covid)

2020-2021 (17-4) NCAA First Round

2021-2022 (23-11)

2022-2023 (16-8) Currently

*Defeated UConn 59-52 in 4th season
*Played at Notre Dame/Two Seasons for Minnesota Lynx

Tammi Reiss- Rhode Island (4 years)

2019-2020 (13-16)

2020-2021 (11-8)

2021-2022 (22-7)

2022-2023 (21-3) Currently

Lindy La Rocque- UNLV (3 years)

2020-2021 (15-9)

2021-2022 (26-7) NCAA First Round

2022-2023 (24-2) Currently

*Team rated in Top 25 for first time since 1994
*Played at Stanford

Carly Thibault-Dudonis- Fairfield (1 year)

2022-2023 (13-11) Currently

*Major role in Minnesota’s Class of 2022 top ten class
*Fantastic recruiter

Kristen Gillespie- Illinois State (6 years)

2017-2018 (14-16)

2018-2019 (19-12)

2019-2020 (19-10)

2020-2021 (16-9)

2021-2022 (19-14) NCAA First Round

2022-2023 (18-6) Currently

Megan Griffith- Columbia (7 years)

2016-2017 (13-14)

2017-2018 (8-21)

2018-2019 (8-19)

2019-2020 (17-10)

2020-2021 Cancelled due to Covid

2021-2022 (25-7)

2022-2023 (19-4) Currently

Carla Berube- Princeton (4 years)

2019-2020 (26-1) NCAA Cancelled due to Covid

2020-2021 Season Cancelled due to Covid

2021-2022 (22-4) NCAA Second Round

2022-2023 (17-5) Currently

*Played at UConn

Assistant Coaches:

Karen Blair- Associate Head Coach- Maryland

Jessica Keller- Assistant Coach- Nebraska

*Former Associate Head Coach at Illinois State. Also, a stop as an Assistant at D2 Minnesota State in 2011-2014

Calamity McEntire- Associate Head Coach- Illinois
Click to expand...
100% agree with your pick of Meg Griffith. Coached at Princeton under Courtney Banghart (now head coach at UNC) and turned Columbia from Ivy bottom-feeder to a tournament team remarkably quickly. Good at recruiting and building a strong culture.
 



Belzx009 said:
Whalen is not going anywhere….and any coach the university hires WILL be a women. I believe that’s why Johnston isn’t a Gopher.
Click to expand...
Johnston should be the next hire. Ridiculously solid resume with an MN background.
 




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