2022 Coaching Carousel

[Moooooo]

Let me take a stab. When Gail came to Texas, we became somewhat friendly. She struggled with recruiting because she assumed it would be easy to get the best kids to come to Texas. Why? Because it has been easy to get them to come to Duke. Academically not just anyone can come to Duke. As a school Duke is seen as “almost” Ivey League. If you were really smart and athletically gifted, Duke was on your list. Essentially, recruiting was easier because the kids that wanted to come to Duke didn’t have a whole lot of options. If you weren’t going to Harvard, Yale or Princeton, Duke was a logical choice. I would imagine having somewhat easier recruiting capabilities makes the Duke job much less stressful.

As far as I know, Duke had no history of success in women's basketball prior to hiring Gail Goestenkors (assistant coach at Purdue?). So, she built that Duke program from the ground up. Surely she had to work hard in recruiting to get recruits to even give her new program a sniff.

I'm not doubting what others are saying. I know I read somewhere years ago where Gail stated she didn't realize "recruiting would be so hard" at Texas. Her biggest mistake was the assistant coaches she hired; and, she's not the first as that happened with Karen Aston, Charlie Strong, and Tom Herman, IMO.

Her hiring long-time assistant Gale Valley from Duke made perfect sense. Hiring former Tennessee assistant coach and Kentucky head coach, Mick DeMoss made sense. Hiring Nebraska assistant coach, LaKale Malone made zero sense; that spot should have gone to someone with experience recruiting the state of Texas and relationships with the club and high school coaches.

If Duke's academic reputation was the sole reason for recruiting success, then Rice and Northwestern would have had similar success.

 

[WCBBNUT]

I would agree with that, but great players can make great coaches. She's never had anyone with the talent and potential of a player like Baker. If she's able to bring Baker with her she'll have a nice foundational piece to build around.

I also think with coaching hires the optics are always important. Don't think that the fact that Joni is a young, attractive, straight, Black female head coach can't be important.

I would agree but she’s in the same conference competing against the same coaches. She isn’t any more “attractive” at A&M than she was at Georgia IMO

 

[WCBBNUT]

As far as I know, Duke had no history of success in women's basketball prior to hiring Gail Goestenkors (assistant coach at Purdue?). So, she built that Duke program from the ground up. Surely she had to work hard in recruiting to get recruits to even give her new program a sniff.

I'm not doubting what others are saying. I know I read somewhere years ago where Gail stated she didn't realize "recruiting would be so hard" at Texas. Her biggest mistake was the assistant coaches she hired; and, she's not the first as that happened with Karen Aston, Charlie Strong, and Tom Herman, IMO.

Her hiring long-time assistant Gale Valley from Duke made perfect sense. Hiring former Tennessee assistant coach and Kentucky head coach, Mick DeMoss made sense. Hiring Nebraska assistant coach, LaKale Malone made zero sense; that spot should have gone to someone with experience recruiting the state of Texas and relationships with the club and high school coaches.

Sorry. Let me clarify. Recruiting is one of the most time consuming, stressful parts of the job. Lots of travel away from home. Lots of personalities to go along with enormous competition. Gail suggested that recruiting at Duke was easier (not easy). I would imagine that makes the job there more enjoyable and less stressful.

 

[utfannforlife]

As far as I know, Duke had no history of success in women's basketball prior to hiring Gail Goestenkors (assistant coach at Purdue?). So, she built that Duke program from the ground up. Surely she had to work hard in recruiting to get recruits to even give her new program a sniff.

I'm not doubting what others are saying. I know I read somewhere years ago where Gail stated she didn't realize "recruiting would be so hard" at Texas. Her biggest mistake was the assistant coaches she hired; and, she's not the first as that happened with Karen Aston, Charlie Strong, and Tom Herman, IMO.

Her hiring long-time assistant Gale Valley from Duke made perfect sense. Hiring former Tennessee assistant coach and Kentucky head coach, Mick DeMoss made sense. Hiring Nebraska assistant coach, LaKale Malone made zero sense; that spot should have gone to someone with experience recruiting the state of Texas and relationships with the club and high school coaches.

If Duke's academic reputation was the sole reason for recruiting success, then Rice and Northwestern would have had similar success.

Rice and NW don’t have near the resources or exposure that Duke does. You also have to remember (I know it’s been a while) that duke was consistently knocking on the door of a national title when it was at its peak.

 

[Moooooo]

Rice and NW don’t have near the resources or exposure that Duke does. You also have to remember (I know it’s been a while) that duke was consistently knocking on the door of a national title when it was at its peak.

Solely because of Goestenkors and her hard work.

You don't put an end to Tennessee and Chimaque Holdslcaw's attempt at a 4-peat national championship in 1999 without working hard.

 

[Moooooo]

Here is the history of Duke's women's basketball (before, during, and after Gail):

Duke Blue Devils women's basketball - Wikipedia

Joanne McCallie was handed the keys to the Mercedes which Gail left behind, and couldn't come close to the same success. So, I don't buy these statements that the Duke job is "easy" or "easier" than others because of its academic reputation.

 

[Moooooo]

How did we all miss them from last week?

 

[HornView]

Here is the history of Duke's women's basketball (before, during, and after Gail):

Duke Blue Devils women's basketball - Wikipedia

Joanne McCallie was handed the keys to the Mercedes which Gail left behind, and couldn't come close to the same success. So, I don't buy these statements that the Duke job is "easy" or "easier" than others because of its academic reputation.

Apparently a lot of coaches in this survey disagree with you for some reason. What do you suppose that is? I think Duke’s location and conference affiliation is more desirable than Rice or Northwestern and athletic and academically gifted players would be more drawn there. Stanford is a unique recruiting destination as well along those lines.

 

[Moooooo]

Apparently a lot of coaches in this survey disagree with you for some reason. What do you suppose that is? I think Duke’s location and conference affiliation is more desirable than Rice or Northwestern and athletic and academically gifted players would be more drawn there. Stanford is a unique recruiting destination as well along those lines.

I'm not looking for any survey to agree with me. If this survey had been taken before Gail took over the Duke program back in 1992, then it would be relevant to my recent posts.

My point that apparently has been missed is how hard Gail worked to build the Duke program from nothing. Duke doesn't make the Top 50 in this stupid survey if not for Gail's tenure at Duke.

 

[HornView]

I’m sure Gail worked very hard at Duke. I remember some NCAA runs with a VERY short bench. She apparently felt recruiting was “easier” there if this inside information is correct, so she had that going for her. I was so excited for her to come to Texas and never thought it would go the way it went.
I’m not about to call a survey that says Texas is the top coaching spot “stupid” but you do you. I think it probably has quite a bit of merit myself. That’s why I never saw Vic leaving it.

 

[WCBBNUT]

I’m just telling you what she told me. You can believe it it not. That said, I’m the one jumping to the conclusion that that is why it made this list. I agree with an earlier post that Stanford would be similar.

One thing I don’t dispute: Gail worked hard and was a tremendous coach at Duke. I was very sad Texas wasn’t a good fit.

 

[kurupt]

It's always interesting to look back on those kinds of things. I also remember Dawn Staley being available and went to South Carolina that year if I'm not mistaken. Gail was obviously the logical choice but it's also crazy to think about the what if with Dawn. She then pulled Kelsey Bone from the state of Texas her first year.

 

[xdxmmxchxxl]

Coach Yo is not leaving for Georgia.

 

[flash34]

Boy…that best job poll sure escalated quickly and got scary on here. Duke seems to get a lot of discussion. Since I can’t stand Duke and Coach K, I’m staying out of that. Sometimes a poll will reveal a surprise. The one I like is one of the polled coaches selected Rutgers as the best WBB job in the country. Said Rutgers pays $1 million a year, the AD stays out of coaching, and the practice facility is the best. I know Springer did a great job there but best job in the country?

 

[utfannforlife]

The poll assumes the preposition that “everything is going well”. Much like we’ve seen at Texas, when things aren’t going well….the job isn't much different from the other “should be” programs. You’ve got parents, fans, self important AAU coaches and overly opinionated HS coaches in abundance in this state. Once you’re winning and rowing in the same direction as all the aforementioned above, then you bet your bottom dollar coaches would love to be here.

It’s much the same for Duke, for those select student athletes (maybe about 6-10 a year) that prioritized academics more than or equal to athletics, and also had the grades & skill to play for any team in the country your choices usually were Duke or Stanford depending on what coast you were on. That’s why recruiting was “easier” for her. Duke was selling something we could not at that time, an elite degree and a chance to win championships.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

She’s buried a fair share of bodies. She’ll never be pushed out.

I always assumed she had compromising pictures of Deloss and various livestock but that doesn't explain her continued presence under CDC.

 

[WCBBNUT]

Plonsky - recognized throughout the industry as a pioneer in women’s athletics. The reason we have what we have. An extraordinary career leaving behind an incredible legacy.

Aston - was told she needed to go get some HC experience before she would be considered at UT which makes complete sense to me.

This board - just because you post it here doesn’t make it true. Opinions are just that. Mine included.

 

[brnkj]

Plonsky - recognized throughout the industry as a pioneer in women’s athletics. The reason we have what we have. An extraordinary career leaving behind an incredible legacy.

Aston - was told she needed to go get some HC experience before she would be considered at UT which makes complete sense to me.

This board - just because you post it here doesn’t make it true. Opinions are just that. Mine included.

Agreed... my only question is why KA bolted to Baylor (of all places) in a lateral move once it was said that she needed HC experience before being considered at UT. Whatever the case, she eventually got back here (I was very happy about her hire) and put the program back on the right track. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, we weren't able to sustain the level that upward trajectory took us to after the first five years.

 

[WCBBNUT]

Agreed... my only question is why KA bolted to Baylor (of all places) in a lateral move once it was said that she needed HC experience before being considered at UT. Whatever the case, she eventually got back here (I was very happy about her hire) and put the program back on the right track. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, we weren't able to sustain the level that upward trajectory took us to after the first five years.

I was not happy with the hire and then ate a lot of crow when she proved me wrong. Ultimately I came back around to my original stance. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand most of what she did while HC. But I wasn’t in the locker room so could only react to what I saw on the court. It always made me wonder, what does a Geno or a Pat have/know/do that can’t easily be replicated? And when someone switches universities, how easy is it to replicate or even improve upon what you have already done.

 

[Bobcat]

I was not happy with the hire and then ate a lot of crow when she proved me wrong. Ultimately I came back around to my original stance. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand most of what she did while HC. But I wasn’t in the locker room so could only react to what I saw on the court. It always made me wonder, what does a Geno or a Pat have/know/do that can’t easily be replicated? And when someone switches universities, how easy is it to replicate or even improve upon what you have already done.

I have no doubt of Plonsky’s competence and would never question that. The fact is she has throughout her tenure been rude and arrogant to a number of fans. Not very good PR or a good way to build/sustain a loyal fan base. As far as recognition in her field, we could ask Bev Kearney, but her settlement snuffed out any possibility of exposing OTHER less than stellar incidents within the women’s’ athletic department. From what I’m told, a very smart move on UT’s part. If Bev was so guilty, why pay her 600,000??? Seems pretty obvious.

We can talk about X’s and O’s in coaching, but what I think sets the great ones apart is the ability to connect with their players. Aston did not have the ability or desire to do that. It requires something far more valuable and basic than competence.....the ability to energetically connect with others. Vic has shown us already that he connects with his players and is more than capable of sustaining his success AND he has graciously reached out to and shown his appreciation for the fans. A welcome change and much needed, and we have Jody and CDC to thank for that! Plonsky will continue in whatever role CDC has decided on, but it is he who now runs the show.....

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

Plonsky - recognized throughout the industry as a pioneer in women’s athletics. The reason we have what we have.

Sorry, but that was Lopiano.

 

[brnkj]

Sorry, but that was Lopiano.

Yes.

 

[kurupt]

I have no doubt of Plonsky’s competence and would never question that. The fact is she has throughout her tenure been rude and arrogant to a number of fans. Not very good PR or a good way to build/sustain a loyal fan base. As far as recognition in her field, we could ask Bev Kearney, but her settlement snuffed out any possibility of exposing OTHER less than stellar incidents within the women’s’ athletic department. From what I’m told, a very smart move on UT’s part. If Bev was so guilty, why pay her 600,000??? Seems pretty obvious.

We can talk about X’s and O’s in coaching, but what I think sets the great ones apart is the ability to connect with their players. Aston did not have the ability or desire to do that. It requires something far more valuable and basic than competence.....the ability to energetically connect with others. Vic has shown us already that he connects with his players and is more than capable of sustaining his success AND he has graciously reached out to and shown his appreciation for the fans. A welcome change and much needed, and we have Jody and CDC to thank for that! Plonsky will continue in whatever role CDC has decided on, but it is he who now runs the show.....

The only thing that I care about when it comes to the women’s side of the athletic department is who runs/is in charge of promoting and selling the wbb team. They need to get rid of the people in that area and bring in some new, innovative folks that can continue to push, sell, and encourage people to come to the games.

You saw what happened when they actually started doing their jobs, fans actually started to come to games. They can’t just rely on the new arena. The methods that were used need to continue but be even better.

 

[utfannforlife]

Sorry, but that was Lopiano.

Not that Lopiano doesn’t deserve credit, because she absolutely does. But for the last 20 years it’s been CP that’s been championing womens sports and ensuring there has been equity (both in exposure and funding) across the athletic department. Specifically remember under Tom Herman his first year the marketing teams were butting heads because TH wanted to feature the FB players more prominently and separate from other sports. CP said no, because it would lead to a disparity across the female sports.

Also aside from her work with womens athletics, she was instrumental in taking the longhorn foundation to new heights with creating new revenue streams such as advertisements and naming rights etc.

As an athletic department we would still be successful, but no where near where we are today without her contributions.

 

[WCBBNUT]

Sorry, but that was Lopiano.

One doesn’t prevent the other. Plonsky literally has awards with the word “trailblazer” on them. She’s always been nice to me. My job and especially my husband’s had/has me involved with these people outside of and unrelated to WBB.

I’ve always felt like Texas has tried to do right by women’s athletics. They could always do more /do better for sure. I’m fine if others don’t like her, but she’s good people in my book.

In my opinion, the craziness of the coaching carousel is directly linked to the craziness of the transfer portal. When you get a Vic, a Jody, or a Pat or even a Kim, you hang on to them as hard as you can. What they do isn’t easy and often isn’t fun.

If you are wondering if there is a problem brewing… just look to the transfer portal. That seems to be the smoke signaling a fire. UT was smoking under Karen for a few years. So far with Vic, I’m not seeing any real smoke.

 

[Bobcat]

Not that Lopiano doesn’t deserve credit, because she absolutely does. But for the last 20 years it’s been CP that’s been championing womens sports and ensuring there has been equity (both in exposure and funding) across the athletic department. Specifically remember under Tom Herman his first year the marketing teams were butting heads because TH wanted to feature the FB players more prominently and separate from other sports. CP said no, because it would lead to a disparity across the female sports.

Also aside from her work with womens athletics, she was instrumental in taking the longhorn foundation to new heights with creating new revenue streams such as advertisements and naming rights etc.

As an athletic department we would still be successful, but no where near where we are today without her contributions.

I doubt you will find many on here who share your enthusiasm for Plonsky. While I absolutely appreciate her contributions, whatever they were, she was disliked by many and did a horrible job of PR and building a fan base. The repeated instances of her rudeness to fans exemplified how she was viewed by most that I know and did not serve our WBB well, so forgive those of us who don’t fall at her feet.

 

[WCBBNUT]

I doubt you will find many on here who share your enthusiasm for Plonsky. While I absolutely appreciate her contributions, whatever they were, she was disliked by many and did a horrible job of PR and building a fan base. The repeated instances of her rudeness to fans exemplified how she was viewed by most that I know and did not serve our WBB well, so forgive those of us who don’t fall at her feet.

Like I said, I’m fine if you don’t like her.
“Fall at her feet”

 

[Moooooo]

Plonsky was always great to me. For every email I sent her (like to get her to reconsider hiring Angela Kelly for soccer head coach; to get her to part ways with Kelly after every unsuccessful season; to parting ways with Connie Clark), she replied to every single one. She definitely didn't have to take the time. She was never rude, or condescending. Her replies weren't what I wanted to hear (not that I was expecting her to agree with me). She even made an offer to speak with me on the telephone while she was at the airport waiting to catch a plane to Lubbock for one of our football games.

So, my experiences with her certainly weren't negative or unpleasant.

 

[utfannforlife]

I doubt you will find many on here who share your enthusiasm for Plonsky. While I absolutely appreciate her contributions, whatever they were, she was disliked by many and did a horrible job of PR and building a fan base. The repeated instances of her rudeness to fans exemplified how she was viewed by most that I know and did not serve our WBB well, so forgive those of us who don’t fall at her feet.

I wouldn’t say I have any real “enthusiasm” for her but I certainly recognize her contributions. She’s always been kind to me, and I can have that experience while also appreciating that other people may have had a completely different one

 

[Bobcat]

Like I said, I’m fine if you don’t like her.
“Fall at her feet”

It’s irrelevant if I like her or not. My feelings are based on personal experience and hearing the experiences of others. I admire and appreciate STRONG women who have worked hard for equality in general so I tip my hat to her. Awards are sometimes misleading and the winner influenced by politics on so many levels. I wish she would have put that effort into being gracious and respectful of the fan base.....Vic certainly has. It’s called class.... At any rate, CDC now runs the show and at least in WBB, the energy has changed drastically for which many of us are grateful.