They have tried and tried to get their programs on track, building them up the best they know how, but these five coaches and these five programs need to face the facts and realize it is time for a change. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt! For inspiration, just look to Florida's amicable parting of ways between the A.D. and Carolyn Peck.
Virginia (Sorry Debbie Ryan. You are a class act. A legend at UVA, but come on! It's time to step aside before you become a cellar dwellar in the ACC. You had your heydey in the 90's, but why not step aside with class. Replacement choice: Dawn Staley....Duh?! Who else. She has turned Temple into a force, imagine what this UVA alum and former WNBA star could do at a major school. She would strike fear into the hearts of Gail, Brenda and Sylvia!)
Texas (Yes, another coaching legend. Second in NCAA wins only to Pat Summitt. Has had some recent success and has been plagued by injuries and her recruiting classes have been excellent. Despite adversity, relevant coaches manage to find a way to keep their programs competitive. For the past two seasons Texas, plagued with injuries, hasn't risen in the face of adversity, but rather shrunk in WNIT status. Looks like they will head back to the "other" tourney again. And what happened in 2005, one year after they blew a huge lead to UConn in the final four? A second round exit after being a preseason fave for the national title? Sorry, Jody, time to go. Replacement choice: Nell Fortner would be an excellent choice for Texas. While she isn't doing well at Auburn, this Texas alum would take great pride in bringing Texas to the Final Four year in and year out.)
Kansas (Bonnie Henrickson has tried, but failed. It's not like Kansas has ever been a national powerhouse or anything, but with the success of their men's program, there is no reason to think they shouldn't be able to. Legendary coach Marion Washington led the program for decades and had them competitive and in the NCAA's with frequency. This a sleeping giant needing an awakening! Replacement choice: Cheryl Burnett. Yes, she is doing awful at Michigan, but Burnett can coach and proved so with two final fours at mid-major SW Missouri State (now just Mo. State). She would excel in the Big 12 and in the heartland, as opposed to the cold industry of Michigan.)
Penn State (Yes, another legendary coach needing to be ousted. Rene has a great class coming in next year, but I think too little too late. She is now plagued with controvery over the infamous lawsuit filed by a former player and she will miss the NCAA's once again this season. The Big Ten is down big time and they need to pick it up! It wasn't too long ago five or six teams were getting tourney bids and teams like Minnesota, Penn State, Illinois and Iowa were making Sweet 16's and Final Fours. Now, the league is OSU, Purdue and MSU and no one else. Penn State is a program that needs a change and to rejoin the upper-echelon of the Big Ten and the national scene. Bye, bye, Rene! Replacement choice: Curt Miller. The Bowling Green coach is bound to get plucked from the mid-major MAC school after this season, in which he has led his team into the national rankings and an almost certain third consecutive NCAA bid. He will be the top choice for a lot of programs, but he seems to excel in the Midwest. Makes sense to me that Penn State should benefit from this star on the rise!)
UCLA (Kathy Olivier cannot get it done at a school that wins numerous national titles every year, a school located in beautiful L.A. with a softball, men's basketball, water polo, volleyball and many other relevant national title programs to serve as a recruiting edge? Come on? It seems every year is going to be the year with this program and every year is a bust! The Bruins have given her ample time, but now is the time for change. With USC earning prized recruiting classes year after year and becoming an NCAA staple, Cal picking it up and of course with ASU growing in strength, UCLA better make a move or get lost in the shuffle. You mean to tell me you had three All-Americans on your roster all those years and you make one NCAA appearance? Puh-leeze! Replacement choice: Carolyn Peck. I don't care if she just got sent packing at Florida, the gal can coach and in the right league she could definitely build a program. She needs to get out of the South and switch coasts to California, where I believe she build UCLA into an NCAA team every year. She is a name brand and any program would be lucky to have her.
Others that need a change: Cincinnati, Iowa, Michigan, Arizona, South Carolina
1 comment:
Fortner isn't doing well at Auburn?!?
She is in her third year and has brought in 2 top recruiting classes. Give her more time and she'll have Auburn competing equally with LSU, Georgia and Tennessee. Fortner is one of the best recruiters in the game. I don't know if she'd leave the SEC though. What about another Texas alum, Kamie Ethridge?
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