Next man/woman up ! or should I say OUT !.....

[flash34]

So on a rainy day here with my feet in a roaring fire.....I suddenly was facing a wave of anxiety. I have been watching the first (1959) season of The Twilight Zone on Netflix and I think that periodically.....I am suddenly being taken into the fifth dimension, the one between knowledge and imagination. I may have been there imagining Aston was actually replaced......but then realizing it was not real. Somewhere in there was a vision of McGraw at ND and Williams at NC having perhaps the worse year of their careers.....and zero folks asking for their heads. McGraw and Williams get byes....many byes....due to skins. So is it possible Aston gets a bye and another year? Then my wife tells me to take out the trash and the vision disappears. Was I actually in the Twilight Zone and could see the future....or just the 4 day old tacos got me. The cold sweat is now gone but I am wondering if all the replacement discussion has just been folly? By the way.....I highly recommend Twilight Zone. We watched it as students at UT as instant classics in late 60’s. They have remastered em and they are better than ever. It’s amazing how watching them on a 85” HDTV with Surround Sound is better than a black and white 17” and changes the chills up your back. I have finished with episode 30 of season one. Four plus seasons to go. If Aston survives......send out a search party for me in THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

 

[SabreHorn]

“He can take his’n and beat your’n, or take your’n and beat his’n”

I believe that is a quote from Paul Bryant, but it is frequently attributed to OA Phillips, who was an assistant for Coach Bryant his last year at A&M - 1957 I believe.

 

[flash34]

Well Bear could certainly do that. I am amazed with the wealth of knowledge available upon asking. Thnks

 

[GameOfHorns]

Here is an edited version. I am not providing the part on the first 3 as there has been enough info on them. Waltz is the preferred as he is listed first. Fortier's resume seems intriguing to me. Guess you'll have to search for that.

"It has been suggested of me that I only comment on the Texas women's basketball program when it loses, which it did again this weekend by 15 points to an unranked team, so I mentioned earlier in the week that I would put together a list of coaches the Longhorns should consider in potentially replacing Karen Aston once the season ends as a show of genuine interest in the program besides being a grouchy critic.

Therefore, here's what I came up with when considering career resumes, recruiting abilities, cost and realism. For instance, I'm not listing Dawn Staley, despite her incredible resume and recruiting chops, because she makes $1.5 million per year and would seem next-to-impossible to steal away.
1. Jeff Walz (Louisville)
2. Brenda Frese (Maryland)
3. Adia Barnes (Arizona)
4. Lisa Fortier (Gonzaga)
Quickie Thoughts: She's another potential rising star at the age of 38, as her Zags are 23-2 this season and ranked among the nation's top 15, which follows a 29-5 season a year ago (the best in school history). Through 2018, she was still making less than $100,000.
5. Sytia Messer (Baylor)
Quickie Thoughts: This one is a total wild card because she's not currently a head coach. Yet, she's regarded as the engine behind Baylor's elite-level recruiting and she obviously would arrive from the program that has dominated Texas for half a generation."

Thanks for sharing this info flash34! Had personally considered 4 of the 5 in my own thoughts, but Fortier wasn’t on my radar.

I believe her name has been mentioned in other threads—not sure about this one—but, thoughts about Cori Close anyone? PAC-12 is a thriving conference, and she’s currently got her team in the top-10. Admirable come-from-behind win against Oregon State in the last few days.

 

[brnkj]

Thanks for sharing this info flash34! Had personally considered 4 of the 5 in my own thoughts, but Fortier wasn’t on my radar.

I believe her name has been mentioned in other threads—not sure about this one—but, thoughts about Cori Close anyone? PAC-12 is a thriving conference, and she’s currently got her team in the top-10. Admirable come-from-behind win against Oregon State in the last few days.

Not sure about Cori... I like her, but I wonder how much of her past recruiting success in Texas may merely be a matter of UCLA (and Southern California in general) recruiting itself.

 

[GameOfHorns]

Not sure about Cori... I like her, but I wonder how much of her past recruiting success in Texas may merely be a matter of UCLA (and Southern California in general) recruiting itself.

If the position opens up—and who knows, right?—I like the idea of a complete change in culture. Hopefully the powers that be will make an appropriate decision. Been watching this slide since the 87-88 season. Ready for some good news and lasting successes.

 

[brnkj]

If the position opens up—and who knows, right?—I like the idea of a complete change in culture. Hopefully the powers that be will make an appropriate decision. Been watching this slide since the 87-88 season. Ready for some good news and lasting successes.

Same here!

 

[flash34]

Close is “considered one of the finest offensive minds in women’s basketball.” That did it for me. Dont know a lot about her but wow.....could this program use some of that! I may not recognize great offensive ball at first since we haven’t seen any in seems like eons but I commit to trying. I’m all-in if that’s her niche.

 

[Moooooo]

If the position opens up—and who knows, right?—I like the idea of a complete change in culture. Hopefully the powers that be will make an appropriate decision. Been watching this slide since the 87-88 season. Ready for some good news and lasting successes.

Instead of just throwing out a blanket statement like that, can you be specific about all the things you'd hope the new head coach would "change"? Cuz, I doubt that candidate exists in the real world.

And, when you get some additional free time, let us know which realistic coaching candidates meet your criteria to make all those "changes" you desire.

 

[flash34]

Close definitely has a sense of humor. On the UCLA website, she was asked a lot of questions. One was “what is one thing on your bucket list? Her answer....”go to Israel. Find a husband.”

 

[kurupt]

Close is “considered one of the finest offensive minds in women’s basketball.” That did it for me. Dont know a lot about her but wow.....could this program use some of that! I may not recognize great offensive ball at first since we haven’t seen any in seems like eons but I commit to trying. I’m all-in if that’s her niche.

Have disagree with that assessment of Close.

 

[flash34]

Just quoting UCLA website. I can’t agree or disagree.

 

[WCBBNUT]

Close seems to have similar results as KA. Finishes in the upper middle in the conference and a few Sweet Sixteens and an Elite 8 in the post season. Is she doing more with less?

 

[WCBBNUT]

I might be misunderstanding what you are trying to convey. Are you trying to stifle our discussion on this subject? Don't you or someone else usually create threads to discuss the upcoming game, in-game discussion, and post-game discussion? What am I missing?

I'm trying not to be rude, but if this topic doesn't interest you . . .

Not trying to stop or otherwise interrupt the thread. Thought it was pretty obvious that everything being discussed here is dependent on each of the games still to play. We keep losing and this thread becomes more relevant. We keep winning and it becomes pointless.

 

[Moooooo]

I realize everyone is frustrated with the direction of our hoops program. And, discussing possible coaching candidates (should we, in fact, need a new one soon) is a way to think about our program in the future under new leadership.

I went back and re-read this thread; lots of suggestions. Lots of comments. Lots of contradictions. Nothing wrong with that.

Several posters have commented about wanting a "culture change". But, they don't define what that entails. To me, if you are hoping for a culture change, that must mean you know what our program's culture is currently, or has been recently; I'm not an insider, so I don't know things from that point of view. And, then perhaps, you know other programs well enough to know what their culture is; maybe you even know which coaches can make the changes in culture which you want to see in our program. I don't know the "insides" of other programs either; maybe others here do. Really hoping someone gives some details instead of just vague blanket statements.

I honestly don't know what "culture change" represents. As an example, I want a coach whose team doesn't turn the ball over a lot, and values every possession. But, that's not "culture", is it? That's just a style of how you play the game.

I want a coach who runs a good offense. But, I don't think that's "culture change" either. That's having a good offensive mind, being good at drawing up plays, and being good at "X's and O's", as they say.

 

[flash34]

I wonder if CDC will use an independent search firm to identify candidates and recommend the winner? My memory is suspect; however, I don’t think he did for softball. A big IF....but IF he makes an announced move with Aston.....I would propose someone who is close to him ......offer to consolidate and/or summarize the qualifications that us amateur ADs on Hornsfans and Orangebloods agree upon is needed to get us to national prominence again. Then offer our candidate lists matrixed to those qualifications on an Excel spreadsheet for his use. That certainly would show the top candidate. We’ve done the heavy lifting....just get CDC to close the deal. Anybody volunteer?

 

[Moooooo]

Not trying to stop or otherwise interrupt the thread. Thought it was pretty obvious that everything being discussed here is dependent on each of the games still to play. We keep losing and this thread becomes more relevant. We keep winning and it becomes pointless.

Actually, this topic is relevant regardless of any upcoming wins or losses because CDC still hasn't issued Aston a contract extension, and the months remaining are winding down; if she still had 2-3 years remaining on her contract, I personally wouldn't be here discussing options as I wouldn't imagine him going in a different direction.

This thread picked up a lot of steam after the blowout losses to Iowa State and Kansas.

 

[GameOfHorns]

Instead of just throwing out a blanket statement like that, can you be specific about all the things you'd hope the new head coach would "change"? Cuz, I doubt that candidate exists in the real world.

And, when you get some additional free time, let us know which realistic coaching candidates meet your criteria to make all those "changes" you desire.

By culture change I meant all (or at least a majority) of the old guard gone.

 

[Moooooo]

Close seems to have similar results as KA. Finishes in the upper middle in the conference and a few Sweet Sixteens and an Elite 8 in the post season. Is she doing more with less?

I like Cori Close for a lot of different reasons, and the main ones are because she is winning in a tough P5 conference, has recent post-season success, and is not being paid well at all, which makes her attainable financially compared to other coaches who are being compensated well by their current employer, and won't be outbid by Texas.

When I posted about her in this thread several weeks ago, I described her as a fabulous recruiter; but, I also mentioned that I just don't believe she is a good X's and O's coach -- yet.

She's one of a small handful of head coaches who I think are realistic options for CDC.

 

[Moooooo]

By culture change I meant all (or at least a majority) of the old guard gone.

Like when Gail Goestenkors was hired, and brought in all new assistant coaches and staff with no ties to Texas? People are still complaining today that her "culture change" is what caused her to fail at Texas.

 

[Moooooo]

Since I obviously believe Cori Close could be a strong candidate for consideration, it got me to thinking about our two recent NCAA tournament games against them in the round of 16, one which we won in comeback fashion, and one which we lost mainly because our best offensive players did not play well.

Similar to our teams, I recall the commentators describing so many of UCLA's players as "athletic". Some did go on to play in the WNBA. But, overall, I don't recall them being a fluid offensive team, being a team known for their high shooting percentage, or a team that plays low-turnover ball.

So, maybe Close is more similar to Aston than she is different (based on the games I recall watching). Interesting that she's one of the popular names being thrown out by various posters who are wanting someone very different than Aston.

 

[HnH]

Similar to our teams, I recall the commentators describing so many of UCLA's players as "athletic". Some did go on to play in the WNBA. But, overall, I don't recall them being a fluid offensive team, being a team known for their high shooting percentage, or a team that plays low-turnover ball.

So, maybe Close is more similar to Aston than she is different (based on the games I recall watching). Interesting that she's one of the popular names being thrown out by various posters who are wanting someone very different than Aston.

I've watched UCLA quite a bit over the past 5-6 years, and I would agree with this assessment. Imho not one of the greatest offensive minds of the game, as was posited elsewhere. A better recruiter than in-game coach.

 

[BBV_Horn]

It's an interesting time for Texas athletics.

I think the writing is on the wall that CDC is going to have to fire Shaka Smart in one month, and eat a huge financial buyout. Does that benefit Coach Aston if she wants to stay at Texas?

Technically, CDC wouldn't have to fire Aston with any years remaining on her contract as she is in the last year of her current contract; but, if he doesn't renew her, he then has to hire 2 new head coaches for our hoops programs; what a big, simultaneous task to undertake. There will be plenty of media attention (and not good coverage) if/when announcements are made that both our hoops' coaches are out.

If both hoops coaches are dismissed, the big winner could be our baseball head coach. He might keep his job simply to keep the media off our backs, even if he fails to qualify for the post-season a second consecutive season.

I believe you are correct..Coach Aston is NOT going anywhere at the end of the season...but y’all just keep on...

 

[HnH]

I believe you are correct..Coach Aston is NOT going anywhere at the end of the season...but y’all just keep on...

Do you really think his thought bubble will be: "Damn I really should fire this coach, and her contract is up this year ... but shoot I'm gonna be waaaaaay too busy hiring a MBB coach so let me just extend her contract so I don't have to fuss with that"??

It's not unprecedented for ADs to replace both coaches in the same year. (Illinois comes to mind as one example recently.) I don't see that as an impossible multitasking.

 

[Moooooo]

Hopefully the powers that be will make an appropriate decision. Been watching this slide since the 87-88 season. Ready for some good news and lasting successes.

Sadly, the slide you mentioned had one common denominator -- Jody. And, I don't think it started until the early 90's as we were still Elite 8 the latter part of the 80's.

It still boggles my mind that someone felt it was a good idea to make Jody the athletic director in addition to serving as women's basketball head coach. That decision was a complete failure, IMO, and, although we'll never know if that directly led to her hoops program's "slide", it certainly didn't help. Seemed like her poor results on the court were not held accountable to anyone but herself; no one was ever gonna fire her (who could have, Dodds?) despite continuing to miss the NCAA tournament more often than not. The decade of the 90's was brutal for our program, recruiting was poor, and the fan attendance dwindled (not surprising when you don't put a good product on the floor); more importantly, several other programs passed us over. Other than 1-2 seasons in the early 2000's, she never got her program back to the level she had it in the mid- to late 80's. And, we obviously have still not recovered as a program.

 

[WCBBNUT]

Actually, this topic is relevant regardless of any upcoming wins or losses because CDC still hasn't issued Aston a contract extension, and the months remaining are winding down; if she still had 2-3 years remaining on her contract, I personally wouldn't be here discussing options as I wouldn't imagine him going in a different direction.

This thread picked up a lot of steam after the blowout losses to Iowa State and Kansas.

You seem to be arguing with no one but ok. Sure. For the sake of argument, I’ll agree to disagree. If Aston wins a few more games and has a decent run in the tournament, this thread was fun but a waste of time. Not saying it shouldn’t be happening or that it needs to go away, but it becomes pointless if we aren’t searching for a head coach.

 

[Moooooo]

Not trying to stop or otherwise interrupt the thread. Thought it was pretty obvious that everything being discussed here is dependent on each of the games still to play. We keep losing and this thread becomes more relevant. We keep winning and it becomes pointless.

Is this thread relevant for discussion again after another loss today to a team who was at .500 before beating us on our home court? Just confirming before you try telling others that it's a waste of time to discuss the future of the program under "potential" different leadership . . .

 

[WCBBNUT]

Is this thread relevant for discussion again after another loss today to a team who was at .500 before beating us on our home court? Just confirming before you try telling others that it's a waste of time to discuss the future of the program under "potential" different leadership . . .

Wow. You are a moody one. Read back to me anything I have said to deter or otherwise stop this discussion. If we keep losing, we’ll be looking for a new coach seems pretty relevant in a thread about looking for a new coach. It’s like you don’t understand what a discussion looks like. ​

 

[hoopsalot]

The faces of people leaving the arena today were overwhelmingly grim. Usually most people are smiling and chatting on the way back to their cars even after a loss. Not today. It felt like so much more than one loss to me and others seemed to feel the same. I heard a few people complaining. Most were silent. I left the arena a couple of minutes early. I did not have the stomach to watch the final futile plays. I also left before the end of the Iowa State game. This is in complete contrast to my usual faithful fan behavior. I did not have to wait long today for my friends. For the first time ever, my partner did not want to hear what Coach Aston had to say. This even though my partner has been saying for awhile that this should be Aston’s last season as a head coach at Texas. Yes, this thread is relevant today.

 

[hoopsalot]

I wonder if CDC will use an independent search firm to identify candidates and recommend the winner? My memory is suspect; however, I don’t think he did for softball. A big IF....but IF he makes an announced move with Aston.....I would propose someone who is close to him ......offer to consolidate and/or summarize the qualifications that us amateur ADs on Hornsfans and Orangebloods agree upon is needed to get us to national prominence again. Then offer our candidate lists matrixed to those qualifications on an Excel spreadsheet for his use. That certainly would show the top candidate. We’ve done the heavy lifting....just get CDC to close the deal. Anybody volunteer?

Well, I have heard that when it comes to women's basketball, CDC does not know much. He just wants the team to win and sell more tickets. So how will he go about hiring a coach? Same source says he will likely ask the big donors for suggestions. So, there you go. Flash34, you make the spreadsheet and give it to WCBBNUT to give to the biggest giving donor she knows or sits near. And, don't forget my mid-major dark horse, South Dakota coach Dawn Plitzuweit. She just this week made the late season watch list for the Naismith Trophy Women’s Coach of the year and rated an article in Forbes. Forbes article -- South Dakota Women’s Basketball Chasing History Under Dawn Plitzuweit.