Next Gopher Assistant Coach?

MNMaroonMom

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Would love to hear other’s thoughts on who Lindsay should hire as a new assistant?
 







Alexander is looking for a job

JMU is also in the market for a pair of women’s basketball assistants after the Dukes parted ways last week with Ian Caskill and Kachine Alexander. Caskill had been an assistant under JMU women’s coach Sean O’Regan since 2016 and played for the JMU men from 1999 to 2003.

Alexander joined the JMU staff last year after Ashley Langford left to take the head coaching job at Stony Brook, where the Seawolves went 23-6 in her first season. Alexander was a standout player at Iowa and had previously served as an assistant at North Dakota State and Florida Atlantic.

As the Dukes move to the Sun Belt, recruiting could be a big factor in replacing all three assistants. O’Regan said earlier this week he may look for new staff members with ties to the deep south while Wilson, an Atlanta native and former player at Florida State, was already known as a strong recruiter inside the Sun Belt footprint
 

Kelly Komara?
Komara has proven herself to be an exceptional recruiter and developer of talent. From 2017-19, she helped sign three consecutive recruiting classes that ranked in the top-20 nationally. In her five years at Vandy, she recruited and coached seven SEC All-Conference selections, notably helping Chelsie Hall to a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team in 2017-18. In 2019-20, Jordyn Cambridge led the league in steals and earned SEC All-Defensive team honors.

A specialist in guard play and development, in 2019-20 Komara oversaw the first Commodore duo to post more than 100 assists apiece in nearly a decade.
 

Kelly Komara?
Komara has proven herself to be an exceptional recruiter and developer of talent. From 2017-19, she helped sign three consecutive recruiting classes that ranked in the top-20 nationally. In her five years at Vandy, she recruited and coached seven SEC All-Conference selections, notably helping Chelsie Hall to a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team in 2017-18. In 2019-20, Jordyn Cambridge led the league in steals and earned SEC All-Defensive team honors.

A specialist in guard play and development, in 2019-20 Komara oversaw the first Commodore duo to post more than 100 assists apiece in nearly a decade.

Don't we really need an assistant coach who is a specialist in post play and development?
 




The local coaches that make sense to me would be Megan Vogel at Green Bay, been there quite awhile, probably ready to step up, from MN played at SDSU. Thielbar as well as MNMaroonMom posted, shes paid her dues at the midmajor level also husband pitches for the Twins so maybe she wants to move here as well. And not sure if hed be interested but Doug Novak was the interim coach at Mississippi State this year and did a good job, recruiting would be a question mark with him but hes a really good coach.
 







The local coaches that make sense to me would be Megan Vogel at Green Bay, been there quite awhile, probably ready to step up, from MN played at SDSU. Thielbar as well as MNMaroonMom posted, shes paid her dues at the midmajor level also husband pitches for the Twins so maybe she wants to move here as well. And not sure if hed be interested but Doug Novak was the interim coach at Mississippi State this year and did a good job, recruiting would be a question mark with him but hes a really good coach.
Novak's evaluation and recruiting to build a team would be nice. Are we building a team or were we just accumulating talent before?
 

Job was posted yesterday:

Some of the highlights

About the Job Assist head coach in all aspects of developing and maintaining a highly competitive intercollegiate sport program within the NCAA and Big Ten Conference

40% of time : Identify, evaluate and recruit qualified student-athletes to the University of Minnesota whose athletic skills make them highly competitive in the Big Ten Conference and whose academic abilities make them good candidates for a meaningful academic experience and graduation from the University of Minnesota. Document, as appropriate, all recruiting activity (e.g. log phone calls, contacts, evals).

30% of time : • Teach and Coach student-athletes in fundamentals of sport technique and strategy. • Plan and execute practice and competition plans including the evaluation and scouting of opponents. • Organize and motivate players to maximum performance level.

20% of time : • Perform administrative responsibilities, including assisting in budget planning and management and scheduling of competitions. • Provide opportunities for student-athletes to develop life and leadership skills and engage in community service and outreach activities. • Assist in monitoring the academic performance of student-athletes to help them achieve full potential and a demonstrated commitment to the retention and academic success of student-athletes.

10% of time : • Establish and maintain effective relationships within the athletics department, the University, community, booster clubs, alumni, Club & high school coaches, media and the public. • Represent in a positive fashion the University and its athletic programs in private and public forums. • Assist in advancing the department's mission, vision, and strategic plan including its commitment to equity and diversity. • Commit to adhering to all rules and regulations of the Department, the University, the Big Ten Conference, and the NCAA.

Up to 75% Travel expected
 


Hoops.. you would think they would want to hire before summer work outs start in June, wouldn't you?
They'll likely have this coach hired quickly, with the portal recruiting and an AAU evaluation weekend the 22nd-24th. Would be surprised if this coach wasnt in the building in the next couple weeks.
 

They'll likely have this coach hired quickly, with the portal recruiting and an AAU evaluation weekend the 22nd-24th. Would be surprised if this coach wasnt in the building in the next couple weeks.

that is kind of what I was thinking.. would want to have all hands on deck and not recruiting a coach down..
 

Iggy can chime in on this since I don't know when the posting, Iggy found, was posted. Assuming the posting was from today the assistant won't be officially hired or become public until a week from today, which means not before 04/20/2022, since University policy requires postings be posted for at least 7 days. Here is the reference:

Job Postings​

Units must post positions for a minimum of seven calendar days. Units determine the scope of the search (international, national, local, or internal to the University) as appropriate given the position’s role and responsibilities within the University and following any requirements in Appendix: Consultation, Approval and other Requirements for Recruitment and Selection By Employee Group. Units must include the University of Minnesota Equal Opportunity Statement in published advertisements as well as on the job description itself.

https://policy.umn.edu/hr/hiring
 

Iggy can chime in on this since I don't know when the posting, Iggy found, was posted. Assuming the posting was from today the assistant won't be officially hired or become public until a week from today, which means not before 04/20/2022, since University policy requires postings be posted for at least 7 days. Here is the reference:

Job Postings​

Units must post positions for a minimum of seven calendar days. Units determine the scope of the search (international, national, local, or internal to the University) as appropriate given the position’s role and responsibilities within the University and following any requirements in Appendix: Consultation, Approval and other Requirements for Recruitment and Selection By Employee Group. Units must include the University of Minnesota Equal Opportunity Statement in published advertisements as well as on the job description itself.

https://policy.umn.edu/hr/hiring
It was posted April 11th
 

The local coaches that make sense to me would be Megan Vogel at Green Bay, been there quite awhile, probably ready to step up, from MN played at SDSU. Thielbar as well as MNMaroonMom posted, shes paid her dues at the midmajor level also husband pitches for the Twins so maybe she wants to move here as well. And not sure if hed be interested but Doug Novak was the interim coach at Mississippi State this year and did a good job, recruiting would be a question mark with him but hes a really good coach.
I think Novak would be a great hire, having some Minnesota connections would be a plus but he actually probably deserves a head coaching job and agree with you about the recruiting part, it appears the job posted will require a lot of time recruiting.
 

My guess is we likely/hopefully hear news early next week, especially with big viewing period on April 22-24. I think the posting has to be online for 7 days but that doesn't mean Whalen and Co haven't been interviewing or reaching out to people already. I think Whalen has been pretty clear she wants an all female staff. Here is names that come to mind as possibilities, some with direct ties to Minnesota or the Big Ten.

Bett Shelby:

Most recently Associate head coach at West Virginia. Former stops as Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator for Maryland and North Carolina. Younger side with experience in recruiting and in the big ten.

Yvonne Sanchez:

A former head coach at New Mexico. Most recently was an assistant coach at Arizona State but before that was an assistant at Michigan so knows the big ten landscape

Chelsea Newton:

Former WNBA player. Assistant coach at Rutgers and then Georgia where she helped them have success nationally on the recruiting trail. Haven’t seen anything about her joining Joni at Texas A&M. Would help on defense for sure.

Shannon Nelson (Formally Bolden):

Obvious connection being a former Gopher. Been head coach at Northland for numerous years and had success. Would be a jump to D1 but also another extremely good defensive mind/player.

Kiara Buford:

Former Gopher who had success at the High School level. Would know Minnesota high school/AAU scene. Another one that would be a jump up to D1

Carissa Thielbar:

7-years as assistant at South Dakota State. Obvious success getting Midwest kids. Husband plays for the Minnesota Twins. Would likely leave for an Associate head coaching position not just a regular assistant.

Kachine Alexander:

Graduated from Benilde-St. Margaret’s in Minnesota. Played in big ten at Iowa. Assistant coaching career at James Madison, Florida Atlantic, North Dakota State. Was in Minnesota Lynx training camp with Whalen a couple of times.

Megan Vogel:

Been on Green Bay’s staff for eight seasons. Was at St. Cloud State for three years before that. Storied career at South Dakota State. Would know the Midwest recruiting and might be looking to jump up into power five. From St. Peter MN.
 

My guess is we likely/hopefully hear news early next week, especially with big viewing period on April 22-24. I think the posting has to be online for 7 days but that doesn't mean Whalen and Co haven't been interviewing or reaching out to people already. I think Whalen has been pretty clear she wants an all female staff. Here is names that come to mind as possibilities, some with direct ties to Minnesota or the Big Ten.

Bett Shelby:

Most recently Associate head coach at West Virginia. Former stops as Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator for Maryland and North Carolina. Younger side with experience in recruiting and in the big ten.

Yvonne Sanchez:

A former head coach at New Mexico. Most recently was an assistant coach at Arizona State but before that was an assistant at Michigan so knows the big ten landscape

Chelsea Newton:

Former WNBA player. Assistant coach at Rutgers and then Georgia where she helped them have success nationally on the recruiting trail. Haven’t seen anything about her joining Joni at Texas A&M. Would help on defense for sure.

Shannon Nelson (Formally Bolden):

Obvious connection being a former Gopher. Been head coach at Northland for numerous years and had success. Would be a jump to D1 but also another extremely good defensive mind/player.

Kiara Buford:

Former Gopher who had success at the High School level. Would know Minnesota high school/AAU scene. Another one that would be a jump up to D1

Carissa Thielbar:

7-years as assistant at South Dakota State. Obvious success getting Midwest kids. Husband plays for the Minnesota Twins. Would likely leave for an Associate head coaching position not just a regular assistant.

Kachine Alexander:

Graduated from Benilde-St. Margaret’s in Minnesota. Played in big ten at Iowa. Assistant coaching career at James Madison, Florida Atlantic, North Dakota State. Was in Minnesota Lynx training camp with Whalen a couple of times.

Megan Vogel:

Been on Green Bay’s staff for eight seasons. Was at St. Cloud State for three years before that. Storied career at South Dakota State. Would know the Midwest recruiting and might be looking to jump up into power five. From St. Peter MN.
Nice list of names... will be interesting to see how this shakes out.
 

I think the posting has been up a week. Will somebody be named this week? Any rumors who it will be?
 

I think the posting has been up a week. Will somebody be named this week? Any rumors who it will be?
I am guessing by the end of the week but I don't think they would make an announcement 7 days out, even if it was made official today within the University.
 

Has anyone heard any rumors of any assistant coaching interviews that may be happening?
 



This post is about a former Basketball coach at Minnesota - Cheryl Littlejohn. I watch Restaurant Impossible and found the episode about her new life very entertaining. If you are interested in watching this episode, she is featured on Season 19, Episode 21, titled "The Final Shot". If you do not have the Food Network in your TV subscription, possibly try YouTube and see if it can be viewed through that streaming service.

Chef Robert Irvine is in Gastonia, North Carolina, at Smith's Soul Food Bistro her new failing business, while again helping young adults. She and her sister are in a partnership in this business.

By the way, she did have to mention how she was fired at Minnesota, while trying to help a young female athlete become a champion in life. Like I said, very entertaining.
 




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