Coaches to Watch

[BrettMP]

I agree I don't see us pulling a coach away from a school like Oklahoma. Jensen is an interesting candidate. (She might have an in in getting a certain 9th grader from Providence Academy.) Coyle had to hire Whalen IMO, but I'm sure his list of candidates will be very strong.

While Jensen would be a good candidate, she isn't leaving Iowa. She loves Iowa City which is why she's stayed all of these years despite other opportunities. Baranczyk could very well be the next Iowa coach when Bluder retires, but watch out for Iowa State when Bill Fennelly retires. He thinks very highly of her and if his son isn't next it could be her.

Minnesota should be a desirable job, there is so much talent in the state to recruit and build a team from.

 

[60's Guy]

I have not seen the answer to the question...who is hiring the new coach? Mens basketball was a committee. I think normally Coyle already has somebody on the back burner when he dismisses a coach. Took 3 days to hire PJ....that deal was done prior to firing Tracy. So, if Coyle is the guy doing the hiring...we already have a coach...it just hasn't been announced.
And because teams are still playing...it may not be announced for a bit....but I bet it's done if it is Coyle's decision to make.

 

[studentgopher94]

I have not seen the answer to the question...who is hiring the new coach? Mens basketball was a committee. I think normally Coyle already has somebody on the back burner when he dismisses a coach. Took 3 days to hire PJ....that deal was done prior to firing Tracy. So, if Coyle is the guy doing the hiring...we already have a coach...it just hasn't been announced.
And because teams are still playing...it may not be announced for a bit....but I bet it's done if it is Coyle's decision to make.

No inside info, but reading the tea leaves, seems it would be surprising if it's anyone but Duffy or Johnston.

 

[Bfan]

I thought this news article interesting. It's the fallout from coach Brenda Frese (Oldfield) leaving from Minnesota.

She is credited with turning around Minnesota and an ace coach but bailed after just one season. She won an NCAA championship at her next job Maryland.

Search starts for replacement for Oldfield

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Brenda Oldfield's decision to depart Minnesota after less than 10 months left the women's basketball team in shock, but Oldfield also left behind a lot of talent.

www.brainerddispatch.com

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Brenda Oldfield's decision to depart Minnesota after less than 10 months left the women's basketball team in shock, but Oldfield also left behind a lot of talent.

That's why the Golden Gophers aren't going to panic about having to find a new coach for the second straight season.

"I haven't looked at the boxscore, but I don't think she played very many minutes for us this year," said point guard Lindsay Whalen, the Big Ten Player of the Year who'll return along with fellow starters center Janel McCarville, forwards Kadidja Andersson and Corrin Von Wald and guard Lindsay Lieser.

"Definitely, we deserve some credit," Whalen said. "We're the people who got her the big contract and all the awards she got, pretty much."

Oldfield's final meeting with the players Tuesday was filled with tears. Still, confidence abounds that this season's success can be sustained.

"Everybody's really sad she's leaving," McCarville said. But "they're going to hire a good coach. There's no reason to be scared."

In one season, Oldfield guided the Gophers to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1994 and a 22-8 record.

Lured by what women's athletic director Chris Voelz quoted Oldfield as saying were better weather, better facilities and a better base from which to recruit, she accepted the job at Maryland.

The Terrapins move into a new arena next year, and there's no way around Minnesota's harsh, lengthy winters.

But the Gophers dispute the talent drain issue -- four of their starters are from Minnesota or Wisconsin and the two states have churned out several major-college players over the past decade.

"What caught me off guard is that she thinks she's better able to win a national championship there," Voelz said. "Who knows? Maybe we'll be playing them in the Final Four someday. ... Time will tell whether her analysis was better than our analysis."

Oldfield, told of Voelz's comments about their conversation, denied complaining about Minnesota's talent pool.

"If I felt that way, why would I sign three in-state kids?" she told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "That statement is completely false and inaccurate. I don't know where that came from. To list those things is totally absurd."

Oldfield's deal at Minnesota did not contain a buyout clause.

Brenda Frese - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Bfan]

No inside info, but reading the tea leaves, seems it would be surprising if it's anyone but Duffy or Johnston.

Someone in the men's basketball forum said Minnesota signed coach Rick Pitino after a rude surprise that they couldn't attract a top coach. They settled on Pitino in that wake.

I wonder if throwing around the big name Duffy is to project influence Minnesota does not really have.

Blah blah blah Prince. Blah, blah, blah, Michael Jackson... and we now announce it is Boxcare Willie.

 

[Bfan]

Someone in the men's basketball forum said Minnesota signed coach Rick Pitino after a rude surprise that they couldn't attract a top coach. They settled on Pitino in that wake.

I wonder if throwing around the big name Duffy is to project influence Minnesota does not really have.

Blah blah blah Prince. Blah, blah, blah, Michael Jackson... and we now announce it is Boxcare Willie.

Likewise, SDS's Johnston is being mentioned only because the name excited a lot of people. He is well known and currently getting the most buzz on Twitter. There is nearly zero viability for Johnston and in my mind not even a candidate. It is just press release image projection.

The person I now think it will be is who I think is the third weakest candidate of the original list at the top. Hence, throw around these stronger names to project name dropping influence.

 

[Ragnor]

I have not seen the answer to the question...who is hiring the new coach? Mens basketball was a committee. I think normally Coyle already has somebody on the back burner when he dismisses a coach. Took 3 days to hire PJ....that deal was done prior to firing Tracy. So, if Coyle is the guy doing the hiring...we already have a coach...it just hasn't been announced.
And because teams are still playing...it may not be announced for a bit....but I bet it's done if it is Coyle's decision to make.

I am sure it is Coyles decision with a signoff by the president. Pretty sure the committee is to get some other perspectives in what to look for in the next coach. This is a self check to make sure he considers all the possible pros and cons of each candidate and position requirements.

 

[Ragnor]

I have not seen the answer to the question...who is hiring the new coach? Mens basketball was a committee. I think normally Coyle already has somebody on the back burner when he dismisses a coach. Took 3 days to hire PJ....that deal was done prior to firing Tracy. So, if Coyle is the guy doing the hiring...we already have a coach...it just hasn't been announced.
And because teams are still playing...it may not be announced for a bit....but I bet it's done if it is Coyle's decision to make.

I am sure it is Coyles decision with a signoff by the president. Pretty sure the committee is to get some other perspectives in what to look for in the next coach. This is a self check to make sure he considers all the possible pros and cons of each candidate and position requirements.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

I thought this news article interesting. It's the fallout from coach Brenda Frese (Oldfield) leaving from Minnesota.

She is credited with turning around Minnesota and an ace coach but bailed after just one season. She won an NCAA championship at her next job Maryland.

Search starts for replacement for Oldfield

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Brenda Oldfield's decision to depart Minnesota after less than 10 months left the women's basketball team in shock, but Oldfield also left behind a lot of talent.

www.brainerddispatch.com

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Brenda Oldfield's decision to depart Minnesota after less than 10 months left the women's basketball team in shock, but Oldfield also left behind a lot of talent.

That's why the Golden Gophers aren't going to panic about having to find a new coach for the second straight season.

"I haven't looked at the boxscore, but I don't think she played very many minutes for us this year," said point guard Lindsay Whalen, the Big Ten Player of the Year who'll return along with fellow starters center Janel McCarville, forwards Kadidja Andersson and Corrin Von Wald and guard Lindsay Lieser.

"Definitely, we deserve some credit," Whalen said. "We're the people who got her the big contract and all the awards she got, pretty much."

Oldfield's final meeting with the players Tuesday was filled with tears. Still, confidence abounds that this season's success can be sustained.

"Everybody's really sad she's leaving," McCarville said. But "they're going to hire a good coach. There's no reason to be scared."

In one season, Oldfield guided the Gophers to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1994 and a 22-8 record.

Lured by what women's athletic director Chris Voelz quoted Oldfield as saying were better weather, better facilities and a better base from which to recruit, she accepted the job at Maryland.

The Terrapins move into a new arena next year, and there's no way around Minnesota's harsh, lengthy winters.

But the Gophers dispute the talent drain issue -- four of their starters are from Minnesota or Wisconsin and the two states have churned out several major-college players over the past decade.

"What caught me off guard is that she thinks she's better able to win a national championship there," Voelz said. "Who knows? Maybe we'll be playing them in the Final Four someday. ... Time will tell whether her analysis was better than our analysis."

Oldfield, told of Voelz's comments about their conversation, denied complaining about Minnesota's talent pool.

"If I felt that way, why would I sign three in-state kids?" she told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "That statement is completely false and inaccurate. I don't know where that came from. To list those things is totally absurd."

Oldfield's deal at Minnesota did not contain a buyout clause.

Brenda Frese - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

We also found out later that Frese was also interviewing with Ohio State. The Buckeyes thought they had an agreement before Frese accepted the Maryland job.

 

[bigticket1]

We also found out later that Frese was also interviewing with Ohio State. The Buckeyes thought they had an agreement before Frese accepted the Maryland job.

Saw the current assistant at Maryland mentioned on Thursday, but haven't seen much discussion concerning her since then. It seems that a person familiar with the B1G and has done high-level recruiting would be a strong candidate.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Saw the current assistant at Maryland mentioned on Thursday, but haven't seen much discussion concerning her since then. It seems that a person familiar with the B1G and has done high-level recruiting would be a strong candidate.

"It’s always about the players": An inside look at Maryland women’s basketball’s Karen Blair’s rise through the coaching ranks

The Terps’ associate head coach’s journey is just beginning.

www.testudotimes.com

While learning from Frese from a pure X’s and O’s standpoint spoke volumes about Blair’s new gig, it provided a recruiting paradise in the “DMV” right in her new backyard. Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia always provide a wealth of talent regardless of the sport, and the area would allow Blair to thrive in bringing great talent to Maryland.

Having always recruited the DMV, even at SMU, Blair loved being in the area. Janielle Dodds, the leading scorer and the second-leading rebounder in SMU history, was someone that Blair helped recruit from West Springfield, Virginia.

 

[skiumah1]

Somebody tell me why Johnston wouldn't be the hire?

The resume he has is better than any others and he's from the area.

If he doesn't want the job, fine. But if we actually are prioritizing winning, he should be the hire.

 

[thatjanelpick]

Somebody tell me why Johnston wouldn't be the hire?

The resume he has is better than any others and he's from the area.

If he doesn't want the job, fine. But if we actually are prioritizing winning, he should be the hire.

Summarizing what's already available in these threads:
1. The U already has too many male mentor/coaches for women's teams.
2. He has accepted, then at the last minute rejected, jobs in the past.
3. His roster is diverse only in the sense that he occasionally lands a brunette to go with the blondes.
4. I, personally, have a long memory of his clock shenanigans to steal a game in the Borton years.

 

[skiumah1]

Summarizing what's already available in these threads:
1. The U already has too many male mentor/coaches for women's teams.
2. He has accepted, then at the last minute rejected, jobs in the past.
3. His roster is diverse only in the sense that he occasionally lands a brunette to go with the blondes.
4. I, personally, have a long memory of his clock shenanigans to steal a game in the Borton years.

Got it.

So we are putting gender over potential wins and losses for a Big Ten Program in which the girls get full rides?

Did he accept then reject this job before?

Roster diversity does appear questionable. Coaching staff included. Couldn't speak on that so I'd be curious to hear more.

Clock shenanigans to win games?

*The Rhode Island Coach also has a legit resume but I don't know if she's attainable.

 

[gopherdudepart2]

Oklahoma has deep pockets and Baranczyk is well paid with big annual bonuses if she stays at OU. I'm not sure Minnesota can compete with that financially.

Also, Jan Jensen was a classmate at Drake with a wide receiver on the football team named Mark Coyle. I bet they knew each other. Would she be a viable candidate here? She is an good recruiter.

Saw the current assistant at Maryland mentioned on Thursday, but haven't seen much discussion concerning her since then. It seems that a person familiar with the B1G and has done high-level recruiting would be a strong candidate.

I hope and think we need a Head coach. I would hope even the Columbia or Ivy league coaches are considered.

 

[BBJones]

Got it.

So we are putting gender over potential wins and losses for a Big Ten Program in which the girls get full rides?

Did he accept then reject this job before?

Roster diversity does appear questionable. Coaching staff included. Couldn't speak on that so I'd be curious to hear more.

Clock shenanigans to win games?

*The Rhode Island Coach also has a legit resume but I don't know if she's attainable.

No, we're not putting gender over potential wins. We're saying that there are plenty of qualified women coaches out there. After all, three of the four remaining teams in the Big Ten tournament are coached by women. The trick is, picking the right one.

 

[skiumah1]

No, we're not putting gender over potential wins. We're saying that there are plenty of qualified women coaches out there. After all, three of the four remaining teams in the Big Ten tournament are coached by women. The trick is, picking the right one.

Alright - I am all for a woman being the hire, but she needs to be the top hire. She needs to be Option A. At this level of basketball, winning is the top priority. That is why Lindsay was let go.

That is also why when I look at this Johnston's resume, it looks like an Option A resume. If we find a woman that will take this job with a similar resume, sign me up.

Of course you can't have a guy that's mistreating players / major red flags. But I haven't necessarily heard anything like that publicly.

Keep in mind I don't know anything about this guy so I do appreciate any inside knowledge about him having major red flags.

 

[BBJones]

Alright - I am all for a woman being the hire, but she needs to be the top hire. She needs to be Option A. At this level of basketball, winning is the top priority. That is why Lindsay was let go.

That is also why when I look at this Johnston's resume, it looks like an Option A resume. If we find a woman that will take this job with a similar resume, sign me up.

Of course you can't have a guy that's mistreating players / major red flags. But I haven't necessarily heard anything like that publicly.

Keep in mind I don't know anything about this guy so I do appreciate any inside knowledge about him having major red flags.

My main concern with him is diversity. As thatjanelpick so eloquently said: "His roster is diverse only in the sense that he occasionally lands a brunette to go with the blondes." Currently, his staff and his roster are 100 % white, with most of the players coming from smaller towns and cities. The questions is, does he have the connections to recruit the Black athletes from Mpls. and other larger cities, and can he relate to them? I don't know, just asking. It's true that his teams have been successful in their conference, but would they have done as well playing Big Ten opponents night in, night out?

 

[Roland Brooks]

Ahh black athletes are in all cities

 

[BBJones]

Ahh black athletes are in all cities

Ah, my mistake. Like Isaac Asuma, for instance. But the fact remains, he doesn't have any on his roster.

 

[60's Guy]

My main concern with him is diversity. As thatjanelpick so eloquently said: "His roster is diverse only in the sense that he occasionally lands a brunette to go with the blondes." Currently, his staff and his roster are 100 % white, with most of the players coming from smaller towns and cities. The questions is, does he have the connections to recruit the Black athletes from Mpls. and other larger cities, and can he relate to them? I don't know, just asking. It's true that his teams have been successful in their conference, but would they have done as well playing Big Ten opponents night in, night out?

 

[60's Guy]

I'd like a coach who had some shooters but I don't think Johnston is the right fit for the Gophers.

 

[EaganGopher22]

https://theathletic.com/4270106/2023/03/02/lindsay-whalen-minnesota-candidates/#comment-12541327

Megan Duffy, Marquette
Dawn Plitzuweit, West Virginia
Lindy La Rocque, UNLV

Over the past few weeks, reporters at The Athletic have been chatting with power conference head coaches for an upcoming anomynous poll. One of the questions: What school is a sleeping giant? A few coaches already picked Minnesota, with one saying, "If they get the right coach, that's a monster."

 

[Ragnor]

Somebody tell me why Johnston wouldn't be the hire?

The resume he has is better than any others and he's from the area.

If he doesn't want the job, fine. But if we actually are prioritizing winning, he should be the hire.

I can understand someone feeling strongly about him being the best candidate on paper but there is so much more that goes into picking the candidate than the record on the paper. There are many people that could do a great job here but you need to find one that can do a great job and be happy here and fit in with the culture of the department. Just because a candidate looks good on paper doesn't mean they will succeed here and that is why they dig into the details and little things that matter.

 

[skiumah1]

I can understand someone feeling strongly about him being the best candidate on paper but there is so much more that goes into picking the candidate than the record on the paper. There are many people that could do a great job here but you need to find one that can do a great job and be happy here and fit in with the culture of the department. Just because a candidate looks good on paper doesn't mean they will succeed here and that is why they dig into the details and little things that matter.

Fair enough - That appears to be the consensus here.

 

[Bad Gopher]

Alright - I am all for a woman being the hire, but she needs to be the top hire. She needs to be Option A. At this level of basketball, winning is the top priority. That is why Lindsay was let go.

That is also why when I look at this Johnston's resume, it looks like an Option A resume. If we find a woman that will take this job with a similar resume, sign me up.

Of course you can't have a guy that's mistreating players / major red flags. But I haven't necessarily heard anything like that publicly.

Keep in mind I don't know anything about this guy so I do appreciate any inside knowledge about him having major red flags.

I'm not an expert on all the potential candidates, but to me, from what I've seen and read, Megan Duffy is that Candidate A. Johnston is right up on the top shelf with her. Perhaps it's an A1 and A2 situation. But if you can get either one, your search is over. I'd start with Duffy. I hate to be openly age-ist, but with her relative youth, we might not have to have this conversation again for many, many years.

In my judgment, Coyle missed an open layup two years ago with the men's program. I wish I could trust him. He could earn some of my trust back by pursuing one or both of these outstanding candidates.

 

[MOGopher]

All of the coaches mentioned, will bring their own coaching staffs. Plus, IMO their will be only 4-5 players on the current roster that they would retain. All the walk-ons and second-tier Minnesota players will be jettisoned immediately. Some coaches will try to transfer key players from their current roster to help build the winning culture faster. Change is coming... soon.

 

[MOGopher]

Banhem will need to look for another Director of Quality Control job.

 

[Bfan]

This program badly needs a culture change. Sara Scalia said one of the two reason she left was because of the culture. How many players left last season? The other is she wanted to be with a winning program.

Q&A: Stillwater's Sara Scalia on leaving Gophers to play for Indiana

Stillwater's Sara Scalia interview on leaving Minnesota Gophers for Indiana Hoosiers. She was the Gophers' leading scorer last season.

kstp.com

Q&A: Stillwater's Sara Scalia on leaving Gophers to play for Indiana

Stillwater's Sara Scalia interview on leaving Minnesota Gophers for Indiana Hoosiers. She was the Gophers' leading scorer last season.

kstp.com

The incoming freshman class is all unranked players.

So many local players avoid this program. The one exception is the Fab Four.

Olivia Olson of Benilde-St. Margarent took the surprising step of early announcing she is going to Michigan, the new destination for elite Minnesota players. Taylor Woodson of Hopkins is going to Michigan.

Go to the social media sites for Michigan. That is "we mean business" basketball.

The other destination for Minnesota girls/women players is Utah.

Maybe we should be thinking about all these local players and what THEY want.


Maybe they want winning basketball as the laser focus.


How many players left last season?

I am especially happy for Sissoko who has soared at USC after leaving Minnesota last year.

Kadi Sissoko - Women's Basketball - USC Athletics

Kadi Sissoko (30) Forward - “And be a family no matter what.” We’re so grateful to have Kadi join our family this year!?? pic.twitter.com/8CUVAjsYLr —

usctrojans.com

Kadi Sissoko - Women's Basketball - USC Athletics

Kadi Sissoko (30) Forward - “And be a family no matter what.” We’re so grateful to have Kadi join our family this year!?? pic.twitter.com/8CUVAjsYLr —

usctrojans.com

-------------------------------


I once watched an interview of Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagen, whom I am a fan of, and she was asked about women's views on the Supreme Court. She said that woman have a wide variety of views across the political spectrum. There is a wide diversity of views among all women.


------------------------------


Minnesota women's basketball has an important place in the growth of sports for women.
And by that I mean all girls and women.


That's going back all the way to the days of Carol Ann Shudlick (Smith) and Linda Roberts.

Realistically, this coaching position is for a women. Yes, we should all be unbiased, free of viewing things by gender or other criteria. In this case really it is a woman's spot.

Interview with Carol Ann Smith – Thomas Ford Memorial Library

fordlibrary.org

Black History Month: Linda Roberts - University of Minnesota Athletics

Linda Roberts (1977-81) is Minnesota's first female superstar. On January 15, 2006, Roberts became the first Black female basketball player to have her jerse...

gophersports.com

And what do the young prospects want?


I think winning basketball as the culture and a change in culture.

 

[Bad Gopher]

This program badly needs a culture change. Sara Scalia said one of the two reason she left was because of the culture. How many players left last season? The other is she wanted to be with a winning program.

Q&A: Stillwater's Sara Scalia on leaving Gophers to play for Indiana

Stillwater's Sara Scalia interview on leaving Minnesota Gophers for Indiana Hoosiers. She was the Gophers' leading scorer last season.

kstp.com

Q&A: Stillwater's Sara Scalia on leaving Gophers to play for Indiana

Stillwater's Sara Scalia interview on leaving Minnesota Gophers for Indiana Hoosiers. She was the Gophers' leading scorer last season.

kstp.com

The incoming freshman class is all unranked players.

So many local players avoid this program. The one exception is the Fab Four.

Olivia Olson of Benilde-St. Margarent took the surprising step of early announcing she is going to Michigan, the new destination for elite Minnesota players. Taylor Woodson of Hopkins is going to Michigan.

Go to the social media sites for Michigan. That is "we mean business" basketball.

The other destination for Minnesota girls/women players is Utah.

Maybe we should be thinking about all these local players and what THEY want.


Maybe they want winning basketball as the laser focus.


How many players left last season?

I am especially happy for Sissoko who has soared at USC after leaving Minnesota last year.

Kadi Sissoko - Women's Basketball - USC Athletics

Kadi Sissoko (30) Forward - “And be a family no matter what.” We’re so grateful to have Kadi join our family this year!?? pic.twitter.com/8CUVAjsYLr —

usctrojans.com

Kadi Sissoko - Women's Basketball - USC Athletics

Kadi Sissoko (30) Forward - “And be a family no matter what.” We’re so grateful to have Kadi join our family this year!?? pic.twitter.com/8CUVAjsYLr —

usctrojans.com

-------------------------------


I once watched an interview of Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagen, whom I am a fan of, and she was asked about women's views on the Supreme Court. She said that woman have a wide variety of views across the political spectrum. There is a wide diversity of views among all women.


Minnesota women's basketball has an important place in the growth of sports for women. And by that I mean all girls and women.

Did Scalia go into any specifics? That's very vague.