Candidates for our new assistant head coaching vacancy

The job for the Assistant Coach position was posted today. Most of the job description is standard language. I noticed a portion of the required qualifications is a "minimum eight years combined experience competing at the elite level." I don't know if that is significant but I believe this qualification would have ruled out Tina Thompson four years ago as she did not have 8 years of elite level coaching experience.

I'm guessing that Tina's departure did not take Karen by surprise and that Karen has been vetting candidates over the past few weeks. I'm not sure what the timeframe is for the length of time that a job position is required to be posted but I won't be surprised if an announcement is made as soon as possible after that period has lapsed. The earliest start date listed in the posting is April 18th (which is today). :e-thinking:

Here's the link to the job posting.

https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/180418010807
 
The phrase is "minimum eight years combined experience competing at the elite level." To me, that says nothing about "coaching at the elite level," just playing at the elite level. Nothing there that would rule out Coach Thompson when she was first hired. That's just my interpretation of it, though. Of course, the phrase "Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate" could mean someone with a master's degree would need less experience as a competitor at the elite level.

Fascinating looking at wording in a policy or job position statement and trying to break down what it actually means or how one can get around it. :smile1:

I do wonder what is considered "elite level competition," though. Does that include college ball and pro ball (WNBA or overseas) or just pro ball? Cuz it does not seem to be framed to reflect any need for prior coaching experience.

No doubt that it appears to be framed to fit someone specific, although others may fit the criteria as well. As LutherisMyDog stated, it would not be surprising to hear an announcement as soon as the required time frame to have the job announcement open is fulfilled. Kinda interesting that a closing date was not listed on the job position.
 
Not sure if she's ready to hang it up, or what KA's appetite would be for allowing her to continue to play in the summer but Tiffany Jackson would be a great addition.
 
LutherIsMyDog said:
I'm guessing that Tina's departure did not take Karen by surprise and that Karen has been vetting candidates over the past few weeks. I'm not sure what the timeframe is for the length of time that a job position is required to be posted but I won't be surprised if an announcement is made as soon as possible after that period has lapsed. The earliest start date listed in the posting is April 18th (which is today).
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When Tina was hired, she was listed as "Assistant Coach". This last year, her title changed to "Assistant Head Coach". When I pointed it out, people just poo-pooed it and said, "Eeh, that's just a change in nomenclature"

I thought, no that's a bump in title in order to prepare her to be hired as a head coach. There's a difference in announcing, "And Tina Thompson who previously served as asst head coach at Texas" versus "who previously served as an assistant coach at Texas".

Point is, this shows Karen actively grooming or preparing her assistants for future jobs as HC.
 
Here was the job posting for the Associate Head Coach position when Tina was promoted. It seems the qualifications were almost tailored for Tina.

The Associate Head Coach is critically involved in all aspects of the program, is given specific autonomy, and shares responsibilities with the Head Coach in such key areas of the program as practice planning, player training and development, recruiting, coordination of team play, coaching tactics/strategies and staff oversight. The Associate Head Coach has significant responsibility in (but not limited to) these areas: mentoring assistant coach(es) and staff; input on scheduling and team travel logistics; promotion of the team and University; fundraising, community service and alumni events; and professional development. The Associate Head Coach may share responsibility with the Head Coach in establishment/enforcement of team rules and communication with sports medicine and academic staff. The Associate Head Coach may represent the Head Coach at meetings, fund-raising functions and alumni events. The Associate Head Coach is responsible for adhering to University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations while supporting the core values of intercollegiate athletics.

Required qualifications
Bachelor's degree. Required is experience in collegiate and professional basketball. Ability to collaborate with staff and provide critical thinking; consultation to achieve positive outcomes. Demonstrated exceptional character traits in integrity and fairness. Professional demeanor. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated commitment to the Intercollegiate Athletics Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Diversity, Creativity, Accountability and Loyalty. This position is designated as a Responsible Employee, pursuant to Title IX and University policy. Responsible Employees have a duty to promptly report incidents as per policy to the University Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinators. Responsible Employees are not confidential reporting resources. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications
Five years as a professional basketball player. Previous collegiate experience at a NCAA Autonomy level program.
 
DFW_Horn said:
Here was the job posting for the Associate Head Coach position when Tina was promoted. It seems the qualifications were almost tailored for Tina.

The Associate Head Coach is critically involved in all aspects of the program, is given specific autonomy, and shares responsibilities with the Head Coach in such key areas of the program as practice planning, player training and development, recruiting, coordination of team play, coaching tactics/strategies and staff oversight. The Associate Head Coach has significant responsibility in (but not limited to) these areas: mentoring assistant coach(es) and staff; input on scheduling and team travel logistics; promotion of the team and University; fundraising, community service and alumni events; and professional development. The Associate Head Coach may share responsibility with the Head Coach in establishment/enforcement of team rules and communication with sports medicine and academic staff. The Associate Head Coach may represent the Head Coach at meetings, fund-raising functions and alumni events. The Associate Head Coach is responsible for adhering to University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations while supporting the core values of intercollegiate athletics.

Required qualifications
Bachelor's degree. Required is experience in collegiate and professional basketball. Ability to collaborate with staff and provide critical thinking; consultation to achieve positive outcomes. Demonstrated exceptional character traits in integrity and fairness. Professional demeanor. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated commitment to the Intercollegiate Athletics Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Diversity, Creativity, Accountability and Loyalty. This position is designated as a Responsible Employee, pursuant to Title IX and University policy. Responsible Employees have a duty to promptly report incidents as per policy to the University Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinators. Responsible Employees are not confidential reporting resources. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications
Five years as a professional basketball player. Previous collegiate experience at a NCAA Autonomy level program.
Click to expand...

Very nice work DFW. That previous job description is very interesting. Makes me wonder if the current job description is meant for a specific person.
 
I'm not sure what her specific role is as an Assistant Coach for the SA Spurs but I always wondered why Becky Hammon never got into the collegiate coaching ranks. Seems like she has the background and experience for it.
 
Someone mentioned Kara Lawson in the Tina thread.

I think she'd be a great asset to any program, but it makes me wonder why she has not gotten into coaching (other than coaching a 3x3 USA squad last summer or the one before that) yet. She obviously has a great job with ESPN; so, perhaps she is not wanting to become a college coach.
 
DFW_Horn said:
Here was the job posting for the Associate Head Coach position when Tina was promoted. It seems the qualifications were almost tailored for Tina.
Click to expand...

Does this mean that when an assistant coach is promoted to associate head coach that the position has to be posted? Or did Tina start out as UT associate head coach?

LutherIsMyDog said:
Very nice work DFW. That previous job description is very interesting. Makes me wonder if the current job description is meant for a specific person.
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Yes, thanks for this find DFW. I had the same thought reading this that the job posting seems tailored to someone specific. Guess that’s not so unusual, but it does make the wheels turn. Who’s next? Can’t wait to hear.

Could it be our own program that is referenced in the last part of this tweet?

 
BrewComLey said:
I'm not sure what her specific role is as an Assistant Coach for the SA Spurs but I always wondered why Becky Hammon never got into the collegiate coaching ranks. Seems like she has the background and experience for it.
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That would be awesome!
 
GameOfHorns said:
Does this mean that when an assistant coach is promoted to associate head coach that the position has to be posted? Or did Tina start out as UT associate head coach?
Click to expand...

I’m not familiar enough with the rules/requirements of hiring at UT to know if it has to post. The last 2 times I was promoted at my current company, HR required the position be posted even though the hiring officer said I had the job. Tina started out as an assistant coach and was promoted to associate head coach last September.
 
Hammon would be awesome, must have learned a lot under Popovich, but I would surprised if she were interested. Of course, she was another guard, not a front court player. Might feel like a demotion to go from the Spurs to the UT assistant coaching staff.
 
DFW_Horn said:
Here was the job posting for the Associate Head Coach position when Tina was promoted. It seems the qualifications were almost tailored for Tina.

The Associate Head Coach is critically involved in all aspects of the program, is given specific autonomy, and shares responsibilities with the Head Coach in such key areas of the program as practice planning, player training and development, recruiting, coordination of team play, coaching tactics/strategies and staff oversight. The Associate Head Coach has significant responsibility in (but not limited to) these areas: mentoring assistant coach(es) and staff; input on scheduling and team travel logistics; promotion of the team and University; fundraising, community service and alumni events; and professional development. The Associate Head Coach may share responsibility with the Head Coach in establishment/enforcement of team rules and communication with sports medicine and academic staff. The Associate Head Coach may represent the Head Coach at meetings, fund-raising functions and alumni events. The Associate Head Coach is responsible for adhering to University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations while supporting the core values of intercollegiate athletics.

Required qualifications
Bachelor's degree. Required is experience in collegiate and professional basketball. Ability to collaborate with staff and provide critical thinking; consultation to achieve positive outcomes. Demonstrated exceptional character traits in integrity and fairness. Professional demeanor. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated commitment to the Intercollegiate Athletics Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Diversity, Creativity, Accountability and Loyalty. This position is designated as a Responsible Employee, pursuant to Title IX and University policy. Responsible Employees have a duty to promptly report incidents as per policy to the University Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinators. Responsible Employees are not confidential reporting resources. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications
Five years as a professional basketball player. Previous collegiate experience at a NCAA Autonomy level program.
Click to expand...

God forbid I share with ya'll the mysteries surrounding the Associate Head Coach phenomenon so, here's an article that does a very good job. I suppose you're going to bash this blogger too? Ha! http://ezinearticles.com/?Role-Definition-For-College-Basketballs-Associate-Head-Coach&id=1436175
 
Hornzupp said:
God forbid I share with ya'll the mysteries surrounding the Associate Head Coach phenomenon so, here's an article that does a very good job. I suppose you're going to bash this blogger too? Ha! http://ezinearticles.com/?Role-Definition-For-College-Basketballs-Associate-Head-Coach&id=1436175
Click to expand...
Not going to ‘bash’ - just point out that the NCAA has a limit on the number of assistant coaches - 3. Some teams will have a ‘director of basketball operations’ (Texas MBB this last season) who is basically a coach except they can’t recruit off campus but the writer’s claim that there can be as many as 7 or 8 is not factual.
 
Shimmy Gray Miller can be crossed off the list as a candidate. Congrats to Shimmy. Clemson got a good one.

I wonder who/what Karen has up her sleeve.:e-thinking:


 
This seems like a good thread in which to get my two cents worth of opinion. I believe that Tamika Catching would be an excellent follow-up to coach Thompson.

She meets all the posted criteria with more than eight years of performing at an elite level: 14 years in the WNBA, 4 Olympic gold medals, one WNBA championship, a WNBA MVP; six-time ALL-WNBA Team; and she is a Duncanville grad.
 
While Catchings would be a great hire, I wonder if she has changed her mind about coaching. It was not something she expressed an interest in when she was getting ready to retire from playing pro ball. She was more focused on her foundation and her family life.
 
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