Next Volleyball Coach

[IMGopher]

I wasn't criticizing you or taking it with a grain of salt. In fact, I kinda agree with you. It's just that I'd like to read something incisive from a VB insider, who really knows the sport and can explain the gradual falloff after 2019.

Oh I wasn’t taking it as such, just adding that caveat to whatever I say! Don’t want to come across as knowing more than I do. I agree and disagree… since 2019 we’ve still had pretty unbelievable talent. And so I’m unclear whether it’s the same inconsistencies that stopped us from getting a national title that are now amplified, or if there are different issues altogether.

 

[mnvballdad]

They've been very good since 2019, but have always had one "weakness" that prevented them from really contending for a title. They were either soft in the middle or in the back row. And while Shaffmaster is a good setter, 2019 and 2020 were probably their best shot to contend...if they had a great setter. But 2019 she wasn't there yet and she wasn't ready in 2020.

 

[IMGopher]

Not sure if anybody has posted this before (didn't see it) but

 

[WayOfTheGopher]

More likely than not almost every name that the search committee has in mind will probably be in the NCAA tournament.

 

[Gophers_4life]

This is a really crucial hire for the program. The B1G is so competitive that it will be pretty easy for a program to slide to the bottom half with a handful of down years.

It would be really easy fro that to "snowball" too.

All it takes is top recruits getting "nervous" that coming to the Gophers is not a good idea, and then they don't come, and then it really does turn into a bad idea.


If we can't get top 10 recruits from outside the state, we have to hit the in-state best players as hard as we can with everything we have to get them to stay home and "save" the program.

 

[Hrothgar]

Yes

It would be really easy fro that to "snowball" too.

All it takes is top recruits getting "nervous" that coming to the Gophers is not a good idea, and then they don't come, and then it really does turn into a bad idea.


If we can't get top 10 recruits from outside the state, we have to hit the in-state best players as hard as we can with everything we have to get them to stay home and "save" the program.

Yes, all of which refers back to the very ponderable question: Why was this coaching change made in the first place? Why so seemingly suddenly? And whose decision was it, the HC's or the AD's? Was the change part of a plan?

 

[TNGophfan]

Yes

Yes, all of which refers back to the very ponderable question: Why was this coaching change made in the first place? Why so seemingly suddenly? And whose decision was it, the HC's or the AD's? Was the change part of a plan?

I don't follow VB that closely, but would almost guarantee it's a classic case of Hugh needing/wanting a change in his work/life. In essence a reboot. Made the decision and wanted to let Coyle know so he had plenty of time to vet coaching candidates. It's also fair to recruits so they can make right decisions for themselves. May not be best for MN, but have no issue with it.

 

[IMGopher]

I don't follow VB that closely, but would almost guarantee it's a classic case of Hugh needing/wanting a change in his work/life. In essence a reboot. Made the decision and wanted to let Coyle know so he had plenty of time to vet coaching candidates. It's also fair to recruits so they can make right decisions for themselves. May not be best for MN, but have no issue with it.

To be fair, it does allow us to start recruiting now. If he announced at the end of the year, it's almost certain that we would lose 90% of what we brought in. We already have two key recruits, and I'm sure that being upfront about the situation has let Hugh guarantee his endorsement of the next coach and build that trust in recruits.

 

[Gophers_4life]

To be fair, it does allow us to start recruiting now. If he announced at the end of the year, it's almost certain that we would lose 90% of what we brought in. We already have two key recruits, and I'm sure that being upfront about the situation has let Hugh guarantee his endorsement of the next coach and build that trust in recruits.

I think this is the most likely reason Hugh and Coyle decided to announce in the middle of the season.

Let other coaches have a think on it, if they want to throw their hat in the ring. Like Pitt's coach or any number of other coaches.

 

[walleye]

More likely than not almost every name that the search committee has in mind will probably be in the NCAA tournament.

I agree. People in volleyball (potential coaches and players) know this. So, we need to be patient. Coaches and players are focused now on winning their conferences and making the NCAA tournament. You cannot tamper with other teams coaches and players. Many players are going to see how certain teams do in the NCAA tournament and who will be returning a strong team before they make decisions. As I understand it, the transfer portal for volleyball opens after the NCAA championship on Dec. 17th for 45 days. Then, the portal closes until May 1 - 15th. So, Minnesota is not in a crisis situation now. The best thing that the Gophers can do is to make as big a run as they can so that they will more attractive to potential coaches, transfers, and recruits. I am sure that the Gophers players and coaches are focused on winning because they are competitors and have pride. Go Gophers!

 

[MNfootballfan]

What about the Concordia St Paul coach? Brady Starkey...he has like 9 National titles.

Wouldn't be the worst hire. Guy can flat-out coach. I believe the coach before him was hired by Ohio U back in the early 2000s.

 

[walleye]

Wouldn't be the worst hire. Guy can flat-out coach. I believe the coach before him was hired by Ohio U back in the early 2000s.

If volleyball was in the same shambles as men's basketball was, he would be a good candidate. Because big name coaches were not interested in Gopher BB, the task was to find someone who was ready to make the next step up. However, the Gopher volleyball program is one of the best in the country and we should be able to attract a coach who has had great success at high levels of volleyball.

 

[MNfootballfan]

If volleyball was in the same shambles as men's basketball was, he would be a good candidate. Because big name coaches were not interested in Gopher BB, the task was to find someone who was ready to make the next step up. However, the Gopher volleyball program is one of the best in the country and we should be able to attract a coach who has had great success at high levels of volleyball.

I don't disagree but at the same time I am just saying he wouldn't be a bad hire.

 

[4EverAGopher]

I have absolutely no idea who the committee is looking at for the next Gopher Volleyball Coach. Also, I don't know if they are. For all I know the Houks could be their choice.

However, I just feel the program has somewhat plateaued for this coaching staff and Covid has certainly not helped. Recruiting is a "huge" part of being a HC and for the success of a program. Again IMO the Houks have played a large role in that and where the program is at today.

I have read and heard from fans across the NCAA the struggles this program could be having in hiring what most of us consider "A SUCCESSFUL/EXPERIENCED" coach. So why is that?

Also, why haven't we been able to keep the last three liberos recruited to stay at this program? By the way, all three of them were either a DS at their new program or will be...so it appears being the Libero starter might not have been the issue. Scholarships?? You can add the lack of middle development in the past few years too.

I could very well be alone on this. But right now I have more questions than answers and definitely want to see A COMPLETE COACHING CHANGE for this program at the U of Minnesota.

 

[WayOfTheGopher]

Some of the assistants and coordinators have been there a long time, how many of them stay when the new coach is brought on?

 

[walleye]

I have read and heard from fans across the NCAA the struggles this program could be having in hiring what most of us consider "A SUCCESSFUL/EXPERIENCED" coach. So why is that?

I doubt that fans or sportswriters know the status of the search. First, some of the best candidates (perennial NCAA tournament coaches) are in the midst of their season. A search agency might have asked them if they are interested in talking after the season is over but I suspect they are not doing serious negotiating now. There should be successful women's coaches out there that would love to switch to the Big Ten. Minnesota also could be looking at coaches on national teams or NCAA men's teams and thus could hire before the end of the women's season. But, I am guessing we won't see a hire before the season ends. And, I think the job is attractive because of the past successes, traditions, good facilities, great crowds, and a strong core of returning players.

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

…[A]nd a strong core of returning players.

“Returning?” Are you sure? Who knows?

 

[IMGopher]

“Returning?” Are you sure? Who knows?

I’m actually a little more confident based on the quality of recruit we’ve been able to get. I think these players trust and believe in the program

 

[Gophers_4life]

I’m actually a little more confident based on the quality of recruit we’ve been able to get. I think these players trust and believe in the program

They're not going to get any better coaching in any other program in the country.

Neither Hugh, nor Cook, Sheffield or any other great coach, has some secret formula that no one else has discovered.

The game is relatively simple. There are some core techniques and strategies, and you just practice and perfect those over and over and over. It's all about who then executes them better in the match.


So it really does, and should, come down to playing time more than anything, if you're good enough to play for any top program in the nation. That's really what should matter, at the individual level. Of course, winning is nice too.

Players like Landfair, Wucherer, Schaffmaster ... they have a starting spot locked down. Would seem like a huge, and somewhat bold, risk to take to leave that starting spot at a top 5-10 type program to try to get it at another program in that level.

 

[NextYear_76]

I suspect/hope the next coach is still in the tournament.

 

[WayOfTheGopher]

Just heard that the UCLA coach just stepped down as head coach. Maybe something to keep an eye on.

 

[Gopher68]

Just heard that the UCLA coach just stepped down as head coach. Maybe something to keep an eye on.

No. At least I hope not.

 

[Gophers_4life]

I suspect/hope the next coach is still in the tournament.

What coach that is still in the tournament would leave that situation?

Sure, if you just blew up what the top paid volleyball coach in the nation is paid (I think Cook at Nebraska, in the $6xx thousand range?) and offered $1-1.5M, then maybe you could attract one of those away.


I don't think that's reasonable for a sport like women's college volleyball.

 

[ClassOf98Gopher]

What coach that is still in the tournament would leave that situation?

Sure, if you just blew up what the top paid volleyball coach in the nation is paid (I think Cook at Nebraska, in the $6xx thousand range?) and offered $1-1.5M, then maybe you could attract one of those away.


I don't think that's reasonable for a sport like women's college volleyball.

We now know the volleyball program is losing money. I don’t see how they can offer more than they are presently paying McCutchen.

 

[GopherGod]

What coach that is still in the tournament would leave that situation?

Sure, if you just blew up what the top paid volleyball coach in the nation is paid (I think Cook at Nebraska, in the $6xx thousand range?) and offered $1-1.5M, then maybe you could attract one of those away.


I don't think that's reasonable for a sport like women's college volleyball.

I think the next great coach and a future star is Dani Busboom-Kelly at Louisville but I don’t see her leaving what she has built there until Cook retires and she takes over at Nebraska

 

[Gophers_4life]

I think the next great coach and a future star is Dani Busboom-Kelly at Louisville but I don’t see her leaving what she has built there until Cook retires and she takes over at Nebraska

What do you think about Pitt's and San Diego's head coaches? I know almost nothing about the latter and that program, other than they suddenly have had an incredible year. I think that coach has been there a long time.


Pitt I suspect will pay whatever it takes to keep that coach, and they're building a beautiful brand new practice facility and arena where VB will be the featured team.

He has built the program up into back-to-back Final Four's, so it's not like he can't win it all at Pitt.

Can't see why he'd want to leave.

 

[Gophers_4life]

Some Oregon posters on VT are worried that Minnesota is going to hire Matt Ulmer. There are rumors about players transferring out, and also they note that McCutcheon made more than $300k more than Ulmer made this year at Oregon and that Oregon does not get into bidding wars for non-revenue sports. Also, of course, Big Ten is going to soon have a massive TV revenue advantage over the PAC.

So, just some scuttlebutt.

 

[Gopher68]

Some Oregon posters on VT are worried that Minnesota is going to hire Matt Ulmer. There are rumors about players transferring out, and also they note that McCutcheon made more than $300k more than Ulmer made this year at Oregon and that Oregon does not get into bidding wars for non-revenue sports. Also, of course, Big Ten is going to soon have a massive TV revenue advantage over the PAC.

So, just some scuttlebutt.

Yes. I noticed that as well. In addition, he is originally from WI. So, I don't think the cold weather will bother him. His mother still coaches at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI.

 

[Gophers_4life]

While he was only a 2nd year head coach (though he had been with the program longer as an assistant), that 2018 loss to Oregon, in the Pav regional, to prevent us from going to the Final Four in Minneapolis will forever live in infamy.

And they essentially did a similar thing to Nebraska in Lincoln this year. In both cases, then would go on to lose the regional final.

 

[Gopher68]

Some Oregon posters on VT are worried that Minnesota is going to hire Matt Ulmer. There are rumors about players transferring out, and also they note that McCutcheon made more than $300k more than Ulmer made this year at Oregon and that Oregon does not get into bidding wars for non-revenue sports. Also, of course, Big Ten is going to soon have a massive TV revenue advantage over the PAC.

So, just some scuttlebutt.

About 30 minutes ago, Reusse tweeted Gophers about to announce a new VB coach. If true, that would rule out Fischer from Pitt and Petrie from San Diego.