Travis Mays

[Moooooo]

It would be great if Coach A hired an assistant coach who is familiar with and experienced in implementing a new offense. Of course, they also have to be a very good recruiter.

 

[Moooooo]

Could also have been a reflection on how GG turned her back on Jody's legacy and didn't embrace all of the past contributions. Hard to say I blame Clarissa a whole lot

Still, no excuse for purposely hurting your former University by trying to sabotage recruiting efforts of the new staff.

 

[utfannforlife]

Still, no excuse for purposely hurting your former University by trying to sabotage recruiting efforts of the new staff.

In my mind it is literally like giving a glowing recommendation to a former employer whom you worked for for 25 years and then a new CEO came in, let you go and treated you like ****.

If she didn't believe in the new staff, who are we to require her to put her name behind them just because she went there?

 

[rattfatt]

Because of the experience factor I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Aston hired a head coach at lower level school. There are a lot of lower level head coaches that would jump at the chance to be an assistant coach at Texas. Coach Aston will have plenty of options to choose from.

 

[DFW_Horn]

I think one of the things we lost when Jalie left was a younger coach the players could identify with. While I see the need for the experience that left with Mays, a younger, dynamic coach would also fill a gap or two.

 

[HookedorNot]

Travis was one of the top associate head coaches in the country, you can't replace his experience, his understanding of Texas, his connection with the players and his ability to work well with Aston. Aston had to see this coming, so I am sure she has a game plan.

I am extremely happy for Travis, he will do an outstanding job! I am certain the young ladies cried when they heard the news. Travis was their go to coach when they had issues or concerns. So the replacement can't be just a X and O coach. Getting back to the Elite 8 will be tougher with Mays gone (IMO).

Stafford and Aston do not get along, I think there was some bad blood when Imani came to Texas after Coach G resigned. Aston is tough to work for, so whoever she brings in better have some thick skin and great work effort! Coach A may decide to move Ortega into the Associate Head position and bring in another DBO. Ortega would be the most logical choice given their history together.

 

[Moooooo]

Coach A may decide to move Ortega into the Associate Head position and bring in another DBO. Ortega would be the most logical choice given their history together.

Please, no. I'd like someone with new ideas to join the staff.

 

[Moooooo]

I think one of the things we lost when Jalie left was a younger coach the players could identify with. While I see the need for the experience that left with Mays, a younger, dynamic coach would also fill a gap or two.

Well, we can't have it both ways. Perhaps someone relatively young, but with enough coaching and recruiting experience to hit the ground running.

 

[rattfatt]

Please, no. I'd like someone with new ideas to join the staff.

Ortega has said that she liked coaching but didn't like the recruiting part of it.

 

[56 Bells]

Great news for Coach Mays. With the upward trend of the women's program, Coach Aston should have a plethora of interested candidates. One question - does Washington, Tina Thompson or the new coach angle for the Associate Head Coach title?

Also - gonna miss the bow ties.

Bet Travis got the job at SMU because of the bow ties. Remember the guy that coached there....seemed like forever....who wore bow ties at every game?.....

Very happy for Travis. He's a great guy, has a great family, and we'll miss him a lot. Hope this doesn't hurt recruiting.

We sure appreciate all of your accomplishments at UT, Travis! You were a fantastic player, a great coach, and you're a grand person who deserves this opportunity.

Hook'Em, Polo Ponies

 

[56 Bells]

Still, no excuse for purposely hurting your former University by trying to sabotage recruiting efforts of the new staff.

That staff sabotaged themselves.

 

[LeoBenz74]

Please, no. I'd like someone with new ideas to join the staff.

What about Becky Hammon? Dumb idea?

 

[DFW_Horn]

Well, we can't have it both ways. Perhaps someone relatively young, but with enough coaching and recruiting experience to hit the ground running.

Agree on not having it both ways. I'm sure Coach Aston has a list of possible candidates and I'd be surprised if more than 5 people know who's on it. She has been coaching in the college ranks for some time and was appointed to the WBCA Board of Directors last year so the names on the list could surprise all of us.

 

[Moooooo]

What about Becky Hammon? Dumb idea?

I think she would be a great candidate to come in and coach our guards. Her name recognition would probably help with recruiting. Not sure if she ever coached collegians, or went straight to the Spurs organization. I kind of get the feeling she has bigger short-term aspirations than an assistant coach at the college level.

 

[Moooooo]

That staff sabotaged themselves.

As did the staff before them. Jody, Travis, and Clarissa could not maintain the recruiting success Karen had brought into the program; I don't blame Coach G for not retaining the assistants on Jody's last staff (although I also would not have hired LaKale Malone from Nebraska; never understood that hire).

After Karen left for Baylor, our recruiting level was not sustained. Made me think that Travis and Clarissa were not good recruiters (or definitely not as good as Karen). Travis went to LSU after that, and Clarissa went to Rutgers (for one season, I think).

Coach Aston knows that recruiting is the lifeblood of a college program; but, because she is such an elite recruiter (unlike some other head coaches), I guess not all of her assistant coaches need to be as elite . . .

 

[DFW_Horn]

I think she would be a great candidate to come in and coach our guards. Her name recognition would probably help with recruiting. Not sure if she ever coached collegians, or went straight to the Spurs organization. I kind of get the feeling she has bigger short-term aspirations than an assistant coach at the college level.

She went straight from player for the Stars to coach for the Spurs. I agree on her aspirations being larger than the college game, specifically becoming a head coach in the NBA. Pop seems to have a lot of faith in her, even letting her coach the Spurs in the NBA summer league last year.

 

[56 Bells]

What about Becky Hammon? Dumb idea?

The odds of Becky taking an assistant coaching job at the women's college level is about the same odds as Mulkey giving up coaching and becoming a nun.
Becky is poised to break through the glass ceiling in the NBA.

 

[BabHorn]

time line to name a new coach is no more than two weeks, according to today's AAS paper edition story on Coach Mays leaving. Coach Aston said in the story that she expected to fill the position in one to two weeks.

Guess she does have a list already to go review.

 

[Moooooo]

time line to name a new coach is no more than two weeks, according to today's AAS paper edition story on Coach Mays leaving. Coach Aston said in the story that she expected to fill the position in one to two weeks.

Guess she does have a list already to go review.

Considering she had to fill a coaching vacancy on her staff last year, I'm sure she vetted several candidates in case Tina didn't accept.

Kyra Elzy parted ways with Tennessee a few days ago . . .

 

[racerx5908]

Reading through these responses...let's see:
1) Karen has a short list
Except when someone like Tina Thompson was inserted at the last minute and blew up that list.
2) Clarissa Davis was not kept by GG, so she's bitter and would never come back
Except that Travis Mays was not kept by GG and did want to come back
3) We need an experienced coach college coach
Except they might not know Texas HS recruits - which happened to GG. Yeah, she "knew" enough players to sign players to Duke. But she admitted that she made a mistake not hiring someone with more Texas ties to the HS basketball
4) Imani's Aunt is mad at Karen because Imani chose to keep her commitment to Texas after GG left
Scratching head on that one. Must be some background story I'm not privy to.
5) Clarissa trashed the Texas program since she wasn't retained.
Scratching head on that one. Must be some background story I'm not privy to.

Pretty much sums that up. We'll see when we see I guess.

 

[DFW_Horn]

Reading through these responses...let's see:
1) Karen has a short list
Except when someone like Tina Thompson was inserted at the last minute and blew up that list.
2) Clarissa Davis was not kept by GG, so she's bitter and would never come back
Except that Travis Mays was not kept by GG and did want to come back
3) We need an experienced coach college coach
Except they might not know Texas HS recruits - which happened to GG. Yeah, she "knew" enough players to sign players to Duke. But she admitted that she made a mistake not hiring someone with more Texas ties to the HS basketball
4) Imani's Aunt is mad at Karen because Imani chose to keep her commitment to Texas after GG left
Scratching head on that one. Must be some background story I'm not privy to.
5) Clarissa trashed the Texas program since she wasn't retained.
Scratching head on that one. Must be some background story I'm not privy to.

Pretty much sums that up. We'll see when we see I guess.

Not disputing any of these, just a couple of questions:
1) IIRC, story told by the announcers during the tourney, wasn't it Jordan's mom who planted the bug in Coach Aston's ear about hiring Tina?

4) If true, seems there's a difference opinion between the twin sisters because Pam gave what seemed to be a heartfelt, glowing review of Texas and how great it was for Imani at Senior Day.

 

[brnkj]

Not disputing any of these, just a couple of questions:
1) IIRC, story told by the announcers during the tourney, wasn't it Jordan's mom who planted the bug in Coach Aston's ear about hiring Tina?

4) If true, seems there's a difference opinion between the twin sisters because Pam gave what seemed to be a heartfelt, glowing review of Texas and how great it was for Imani at Senior Day.

Paula McGee is Pam McGee's twin sister, not Trisha Odom-Stafford. It appears that Trisha is Imani's aunt by marriage on her father's side.

 

[brnkj]

How about TJ Ford? Talk about being about to develop some explosive guard play...

 

[DFW_Horn]

Paula McGee is Pam McGee's twin sister, not Trisha Odom-Stafford. It appears that Trisha is Imani's aunt by marriage on her father's side.

Doh. Thanks for the correction.

 

[UTExinPDX]

Congrats Travis! Sorry to see him leave the Texas sideline.

 

[cynt]

What about Shea Ralph at UCONN? I know I know but she's at a proven elite program and I believe her insight on how to run an OFFENSE could do wonders for TX.

 

[DFW_Horn]

Seems Travis Mays got an endorsement from one of SMU's conference opponents (from DMN):
“I imagine a lot of people want [Auriemma] to recommend them for jobs,” Hart said. “He didn’t call me about three names or five names or seven names. He called me about Travis. ... It re-enforced where we were headed at that point.”

Mays said Texas coach Karen Aston made a pitch to keep him.

She offered an unequivocal endorsement in a statement.

“Losing Travis to SMU has been one of the hardest, yet proudest, moments of my coaching career,” Aston said. “His hard work, loyalty, knowledge and passion have made him not only a great coach but also a great friend to me and our program.”