LaKale Malone?

[CATS SWOOSH]

Have we forgotten about her? Flushing assistants may be a lesson from our history we may need to learn from.

 

[Seattle4UT]

Is she a "home run"?

 

[UTExinPDX]

I'd take her over any of Aston's assistants at UNT. I hope that the new coach will keep Edwina on staff.

 

[utfannforlife]

I have no doubt that Aston will keep wink on staff since she did coach her for 3 years while Edwina was playing here. I also believe that Ron will stay on as well since he is such an excellent recruiter and so many recruits site him as a major reason for coming, and everyone has nothing but positive things to say about him. I could see Malone being left out of the mix, as Aston would atleast want one of her own assistants or maybe even bring back Clarissa as they have a very good relationship as well.

 

[Seattle4UT]

What about Sha and Gail Valley?

 

[Seattle4UT]

Oh you're back? Knew it.. you couldn't get enough of me and this board. HAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHHA

SEATTLE

 

[overseasbbfan1]

Frankly, and this is purely speculation and could be entirely wrong (then again, isn't that what these boards are for...to speculate?!), I think it's possible the staffing situation is something that might have improved Aston's prospects considerably. Obviously the dept wasn't ready to make a change right now, and I doubt wanted a major upheaval along the lines of what occured 5 years ago. But there's no way you can approach a 'name' coach, or even semi-name (or assistant or assoc coach at one of the top few programs for that matter) and put any conditions on their staffing. The dept might say, "we really like so and so," but if the coach wants to bring in all new folks then that's what's going to happen. I would imagine with Karen it is very different. She woud agree to keep the entire staff, or even let a secretary's 10 year old daughter pick her assistants if that's what it took to get the job. Now, I'm not saying that's what happened, or that everyone is going to stay (some may leave of their own volition), but I do not believe for a moment that Karen has the same kind of latitude any other coach might have had.

 

[BabHorn]

Coach Valley is the only one I think would consider retiring as well. Otherwise, retaining the current staff would work as they can just continue to work the players coming in who happen to be some pretty good ones for 2012 and 2013. At least keeping one or two of the current staff would allow some continuity with recruits.

 

[utfannforlife]

I believe all of the assistants will be able to stay if they so choose, I think there may be only one carry over from Astons current staff in Angela Ortega who worked with KA for 3 years at UC and followed her back to UNT where she was an assistant for 14 years. But I would have to think that angela would be considered as a potential HC candidate for the mean green since she's spent so much time with the program.

 

[Moooooo]

No offense towards Coach Malone, but her hiring 5 years ago left me scratching my head; and, I still am.

I understand why Coach G would bring in members of her Duke staff -- familiarity. I can under her reason for bringing in Micki DeMoss -- former head coach and supposed strong recruiter.

Malone? Assistant at the University of Nebraska. I believe the reasons cited for her hiring were "familiarity with the Big 12".

While she might be responsible for every recruit we signed over the last 5 years, I've never read any published report or signee indicating that LaKale was the reason why they chose Texas.

If Aston is hired, putting together a strong staff is going to be paramount.

 

[Seattle4UT]

Lakale Malone is off to Illinois....

PJStar

 

[BBV_Horn]

I am astounded that they would let Cathy MacDonald go...no one runs the daily ins and outs of the program better than her....

She worked w. Aston for years, too....

Oh, well...

 

[overseasbbfan1]

Did they let McDonald go? I guess I missed that. I know they hired Ortega as Dir of BB Ops, but wasn't McDonald also an Assoc AD?

 

[outlookdude]

Cathy Mac is gone. That surprised a lot of people. I hope this all plays out well, but I can’t say that I am happy about that decision. The mystery is why Ortega took her job and not the assistant position that is still open. I think this is the first time that position has been filled by anyone other than a UT WBB ex.

 

[Moooooo]

Every head coach does things their way, and wants to bring in "their" people.

Good luck to LaKale. I wasn't necessarily a fan (mainly as I could never understand the reasons for her hiring), but still hope she is successful at Illinois.