Very interesting....

[H2H]

www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_8934663

Kathy McConnell-Miller interviews at UCLA....does she have ties there?

[jcarter]

Nikki Caldwell also had a interview

[35TangoTango]

Nikki Caldwell also had a interview

Who is Nikki Caldwell, and why do we care?

[Roger B. Rowland]

Colorado Assistant Coach Aisha Veasley was a four-year letterwinner at UCLA from 1994-98.

Very interesting as Kathy has two years left on her Colorado contract. Reportedly at $350,000 per year. Apparently she is currently in a "open period" until June 1 for contract renegotiation.

After her recent success, I would hate to see her leave.

Roger

[BeBe]

www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_8934663

Kathy McConnell-Miller interviews at UCLA....
That's a fine how-do-you-do. Especially after all those fine words in her 'open letter':
"....The amazing experience of seeing first-hand for the first time in my tenure at CU the electricity brought by you that was and is the winning tradition of Colorado basketball. After watching how so many of you embraced and invested in our team, this inspires and drives myself and my staff as the leaders of your team.

I will intensify my efforts in the maturation of our players, ......

The 2008-09 season starts now and we will continue to move forward with commitment, enthusiasm and pride. Thank you for your support this past year and look forward to seeing you next season."

She is "moving forward with commitment, enthusiam, and pride" as she looks for another job at UCLA????????????????? (Where's that 'barf' icon) :(

[Roger B. Rowland]

One has to wonder if she is posturing for her contract renegotiations or something else?

[36Cord810]

I have heard from good sources that UCLA is not going to pay their next coach a huge chunk of change. I would doubt they offer anymore than Kathy is making now. So if she makes a move it will be because she thinks she can win more games in LA.

[BearLady]

Who is Nikki Caldwell, and why do we care?

Assistant coach on Pat Summitt's staff. From all reports, well liked by players and well regarded as a coach.

Maybe that pedigree just might be enough to help her land the job.

[Buffer29]

What bothers me is the rumor that CU has never extended her contract. I for one am very pleased with the direction of the program, what more could the administration expect in 3 years? We were in shambles when she got here. This year we were ranked and won some big games with a very young team. A young team that can and will get better.

These next two years are critical for recruiting the state of Colorado as the talent is rich. Everyone knows that a coach who can't get their contract extended is fodder for the other schools who recruit against them. Maybe she has been given "signals" from the adminstration that they don't want to extend her?? - if that is the case I can't really blame her for exploring her options...

That being said why wouldn't they extend her? She is one of the lowest paid coaches in the conference so who would they get to replace her that they could afford? Also, the progress this team has made has been tremendous. I honestly think we are one or two recruiting classes away from being a perennial Sweet 16 team that could threaten to reach final fours if things broke right.... THAT IS WHY WE MUST GET THE IN STATE TALENT THE NEXT TWO YEARS! Its all there right in front of us for the taking yet I have already heard from friends who are close to other Big 12 programs that they are still recruiting Colorado like its wide open... why wouldn't they? If reports that KMM hasn't been extended are true - then its impossible to expect our staff to lock down the borders.

Does anyone know what is holding up Bohn and company from getting her extended or is that just a rumor being spread by rivals? It just makes absolutely no sense to me... hopefully its just rumor but the fact she is exploring her options makes me very very worried.

[tycat947]

What bothers me is the rumor that CU has never extended her contract.

That may be the very reason she's talking with UCLA, if in fact, she is. The Big 12 is brutal in the sense that EVERY team is tough and it's tough to make a move up because there is so much competition. You can be much improved and it may not show in the conference rankings. At UCLA, with their talent, she could almost start in the top 5 of the conference right off the bat.

[jcarter]

Who is Nikki Caldwell, and why do we care?

Assistant Coach at Tennessee

[Cyclones Rule]

Wow loyalty means jack these days. Keno Davis just bolted Drake for Providence after 1 season of being a head coach.

[CUBuff]

That's a fine how-do-you-do. Especially after all those fine words in her 'open letter':
"....The amazing experience of seeing first-hand for the first time in my tenure at CU the electricity brought by you that was and is the winning tradition of Colorado basketball. After watching how so many of you embraced and invested in our team, this inspires and drives myself and my staff as the leaders of your team.

I will intensify my efforts in the maturation of our players, ......

The 2008-09 season starts now and we will continue to move forward with commitment, enthusiasm and pride. Thank you for your support this past year and look forward to seeing you next season."

She is "moving forward with commitment, enthusiam, and pride" as she looks for another job at UCLA????????????????? (Where's that 'barf' icon) :(

I'm with BeBe. I wonder how she is going to spin this if she doesn't get the UCLA job. That bachelor's degree in rhetoric and communications from UVA will be working in overdrive.

[OhMandy]

Wow loyalty means jack these days. Keno Davis just bolted Drake for Providence after 1 season of being a head coach.

But loyalty is a two way street. If she had another bad season, CU fans would be all over her.

I can understand why they wouldn't give her a contract extension. She's really had ONE season. Is/was that a fluke or the start of something big? But that leaves the door open for KMM to look for another job.

[ChipperF1]

"But loyalty is a two way street. If she had another bad season, CU fans would be all over her.

At the same time, you as a coach don't write an end of season letter to the fan base/boosters/likely donor saying you are ready to build something and then look to somewhere else. That doesn't send a positive message.

"I can understand why they wouldn't give her a contract extension. She's really had ONE season. Is/was that a fluke or the start of something big?

If I were Colorado's AD, I would take a look at those WNIT games and a least give my coach a public vote of confidence after a nice closed door meeting with coach where we outline her future here, and part of that future would be setting a benchmark to where we can discuss the next deal.

This isn't a great time to be going coach hunting especially when CU's growth curve is in line with many programs in this league who have gone through rebuilding. Continuity is the best way to rebuild.

[Scamp]

At the same time, you as a coach don't write an end of season letter to the fan base/boosters/likely donor saying you are ready to build something and then look to somewhere else. That doesn't send a positive message.The times, they are a-changin'. Remember last year, when Joanne P. McCallie signed a new contract with MSU, then bolted to Duke--and both times issued press releases with much the same words! :rotflol:

[LadyBuff]

Say it isn't so!

Yes, if there is a bad season here next year, the fans will be all over her. My guess would be if Kathy gets this job, she would take Brittany Spears with her. I think she is from southern California. :mad:

[unkiemark]

Say it isn't so!

Yes, if there is a bad season here next year, the fans will be all over her. My guess would be if Kathy gets this job, she would take Brittany Spears with her. I think she is from southern California. :mad:

Spears is from Pasadena.

[unkiemark]

From today's BDC -

http://www.buffzone.com/news/2008/apr/16/womens-hoops-k-mac-interviews-for-job-at-ucla/

[LadyBuff]

I thought she was from the LA area. If Kathy goes to UCLA, I would guess we also loose Spears. This makes my stomach turn.

Whatever happened to loyalty to your players and your fans?

[ChipperF1]

"Whatever happened to loyalty.."

Nothing, but loyalty has a price.

Mike Bohn, COME ON DOWN! Your head coach is the next item up for bid on the Price Is Right!

[Gator]

Whatever happened to loyalty to your players and your fans?

I guess you get as much loyalty as you pay for - the link provided a couple of message ago included this:

"McConnell-Miller has been at Colorado for three years and has a five-year contract with Colorado. She has been seeking a contract extension with CU.

"Bohn said he had not offered McConnell-Miller an extension, although the two have talked about upgrading facilities in the program."

****** She asks for extension, he doesn't offer one, she looks elsewhere. Seems like a logical train of events. Maybe the problem comes if she does NOT get a new job and does not get an extension? What do potential recruits think then? It is all reading tea leaves but that is not a pretty pattern.

[jcarter]

looks like it's down to Caldwell and McConnell- Miller
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/apr/15/caldwell-will-be-ucla-second-interview/

[Dale8R]

My least favorite coaching move was Brenda Oldfield/Frese pulling up stakes from Minnesota. No point in detailing the problems involved there, but it clearly was about "ME" and not "you" when it happened. If you are interested, here it is http://www.diamondbackonline.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=c9cb82d3-4f5f-4f2e-93e0-914791a96941

It just points out that it is a business. Loyalty has little or nothing to do with it unless you are talking loyalty to money and fame.

[Buffer29]

I guess you get as much loyalty as you pay for - the link provided a couple of message ago included this:

"McConnell-Miller has been at Colorado for three years and has a five-year contract with Colorado. She has been seeking a contract extension with CU.

"Bohn said he had not offered McConnell-Miller an extension, although the two have talked about upgrading facilities in the program."

****** She asks for extension, he doesn't offer one, she looks elsewhere. Seems like a logical train of events. Maybe the problem comes if she does NOT get a new job and does not get an extension? What do potential recruits think then? It is all reading tea leaves but that is not a pretty pattern.


Gator, you have are 110% correct. I guess we will never know, BUT, had Bohn offered a contract extension after the WNIT run - does she even talk to UCLA? I really doubt it.

If I have said it once, I have said it a million times -you cannot tell a coach you are not going to extend her and then expect her to be able to recruit and build a big time program effectively. Maybe she is getting tired of the recruits asking her for "assurances" that she will be their coach because the other schools are saying her contract will be done in 2 years and they aren't renewing. I know it sounds petty but those of you who understand recruiting know what I am talking about. You can't have ambiguity as to the status of a coaching staff, all you are doing is handicapping your own team.

[MsProudSooner]

Sounds like the Colorado AD thinks good women's bb coaches are a dime a dozen. :(

[CWM]

It's the age old problem.....do you extend a coach just so they can tell a recruit that they'll be there for X number of years? As we see everyday, many coaches move on when presented with a better opportunity. So the coach wants job security and they use the "If I can't guarantee a recruit that I'll be here for 4 years then they won't come here" argument as leverage to get an extension. But what about all the coaches leave for another job before their contracts are up? They've told players they recuited that "I've got a 5 year contract and I'll be your coach the entire time you're here" and then they leave the player high and dry. And athletic directors certainly don't want to get tied down to long-term deals if they have to fire the coach and be saddled with paying the remainder of their contract.
It's a complicated dance. I thought I'd read that she and Bohn would be talking extension at the end of the season. I think he should discuss it as there appears to be progress being made at CU on the court and in recruiting. Maybe Bohn's told her he wants to wait another year to discuss it and she's looking for more security than that? But if she's just out shopping herself trying to improve her lot, then I wouldn't be happy.
I must admit I was surprised to hear about this and I'm not sure what to think. I guess we all have to look out for ourselves, but as others have mentioned, there's a sense of loyalty, especially when someone has given you the opportunity to coach in one of the best conferences in the country. $375,000 a year may not be at the top of the heap but it's not chump-change either.
I suppose there's not much we can do about it but if it happens so be it. I just hope she doesn't gut the team by taking players with her.

[BeBe]

After mulling this over for a day, here's what I'm thinking......

At the news conference announcing her hire, KMM said she was ready for the challenge of the Big12. Well, maybe, after 3 years in the Big 12, she has found that it's more of a challenge than she wants. This is one very tough league. As we all know, from top to bottom there are no easy wins.

Contrast that to the Pac 10. From what I know there are a couple of top teams and then the rest of the league. The lower tier teams rarely rise up and beat the top teams. It's probably much easier to become a mid-to-upper-level team in that conference.

CU this season had a pretty good overall record and a nice run in the WNIT, ending up with a 19 win season. But they were actually worse in conference this season than last. The overall better record was because of a weaker non-con schedule and then the post-season games.

Also, for whatever reasons, she has not made the in-roads into in-state recruiting that she would have wanted. This past seasons top freshmen from Colorado are at Baylor, BC, Vandy, Virginia....not at CU. Whereas she has had very good success recruiting California girls... witness CU's 4 freshmen this past season are all from CA. She did get a commit from Fressle, the top CO recruit for the 08-09 season, but has not yet gotten any verbals from the big crop of good high school juniors in CO.

So maybe she thinks she can be more successful at UCLA, given the combination of her recruiting base and the level of conference play.

Am I disappointed she is doing this ... ABSOLUTELY.

[rock]

besides this years nit run, she hasnt been overwhelming record wise, but she is bringing in better talent. Bohn has a history of not offering contract extensitions when everybody wanted him to barnett, and patton come to mind. I hope she is back back who knows. I know ucla and wash both took a run at ceal during her prime so if your sucessful it is to be expected, and you cant fault her for listening. I think the facilities and all the support structure is the thing here. Cu has the worst basketball facilites in the big 12 and a very undersuported athletic department. I do not know what her assistants make or how program is supported by the university now. I know that if ceals final years she mentioned how Iowa st had gone ahead a cu in facilities. Who knows what is going through her head. Maybe she and her family just do not like boulder

[dem]

My least favorite coaching move was Brenda Oldfield/Frese pulling up stakes from Minnesota.

Yeah, I was really revolted when that happened. I'm still bothered by it, although Minnesota's former players and its program have come through it all pretty well. Not to mention Brenda has too. That's showbiz, I guess.

[OhMandy]

I thought she was from the LA area. If Kathy goes to UCLA, I would guess we also loose Spears. This makes my stomach turn.

Whatever happened to loyalty to your players and your fans?

Spears couldn't get into Cal-LA out of HS, and while it's easier to get into Cal-LA as a transfer, I doubt she would want to sit out a year.

The larger the money, the more loyalty to that school. People are naive to believe anything coach's say about staying.

[ChipperF1]

If nothing else it shows how the pecking order in the league is developing.

Some places will become destinations and powers, others in the middle and/or steppingstone programs.

It think it will be rather disappointing for McConnell-Miller to leave Colorado, especially for a program that seems to be indifferent to this sport.

[CUBuff]

I think the facilities and all the support structure is the thing here. Cu has the worst basketball facilites in the big 12 and a very undersuported athletic department. I do not know what her assistants make or how program is supported by the university now. I know that if ceals final years she mentioned how Iowa st had gone ahead a cu in facilities.

CU's basketball operations center has been moved into the Coors Events Center from Folsom this season, and the lockerrooms are being redone as we speak. If they turn out to be anything like the lockerroom refurbished for the football squad, the team will be very pleased. Also, a new basketball practice facility is in the development stages. Last I heard, it will be built adjacent to the Coors Event Center and construction must begin within two years because of the contract given to the men's basketball coach, Jeff Bzdelik. It should be fairly comparable to other basketball practice facilities in Big Twelve. That should help with recruiting and may help lure a new women's basketball coach.

Looking forward to next season, KMM may have saw the writing on the wall. Does anyone in the Big Twelve besides Texas A&M and Colorado really lose any firepower? Oklahoma and Iowa State are just scary with possibility. Don't they bring everyone back? At this moment, I don't see Colorado improving from this past year. Prove me wrong Buffaloes! Championships are won in the off-season! (or something like that...)

As for the way assistants are paid, that is all on the Colorado state law. CU can only offer 4 or 5 multi-year contracts because it is a state institution. If anyone wants to write a new state law, I'll gladly sign the petition. Wait, I'm a new Missouri resident. *sigh* I really miss Colorado.

[LadyBuff]

During the losing streak, Kathy's husband told somebody that she wasn't sleeping. I was also told that her husband said she would not be putting in any more hours at CU than she did at Tulsa. Somehow, I doubt that it worked out that way.

They had a house built for them. Their kids love the players, but money will talk. Maybe she thinks there will be no victories without Jackie. So sad.

UCLA did make a run at Ceal years ago and she turned it down. I hope Kathy will do the same thing.

Yes, CU does have the worst BB facility in the Big 12. Upgrading of the offices was done this year and they are to be moving to the Events Center soon. I was also told the new practice facility will be adjacent to the Events Center.

This is going to bring back all the naysayers who didn't want her at CU from the beginning. Many of those people wanted Jen Warden. If CU hires Jen Warden, my season tickets will not be renewed.

[unkiemark]

It's the age old problem.....do you extend a coach just so they can tell a recruit that they'll be there for X number of years? As we see everyday, many coaches move on when presented with a better opportunity. So the coach wants job security and they use the "If I can't guarantee a recruit that I'll be here for 4 years then they won't come here" argument as leverage to get an extension. But what about all the coaches leave for another job before their contracts are up? They've told players they recruited that "I've got a 5 year contract and I'll be your coach the entire time you're here" and then they leave the player high and dry. And athletic directors certainly don't want to get tied down to long-term deals if they have to fire the coach and be saddled with paying the remainder of their contract.
It's a complicated dance.

This basically sums up my thoughts, at least the ones I'll share publicly.

There are people on this thread that are arguing that had Bohn offered an extension Kathy wouldn't have looked at UCLA, but really, who knows what prompted her to go after the job? I would guess we'll know by the end of the week about who gets offered the UCLA job. If Kathy stays at CU she will have a few questions to anwer.

[Buffer29]

If Kathy stays at CU she will have a few questions to anwer.

You make it sound like you don't want her to stay... I for one sure hope she does stay.

[BeBe]

Looks like we will get to see if we get answers to those questions...........

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_8952655

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/apr/17/colorado-coach-withdraws-name-caldwell-still-runni/

If the Tennessee story is accurate, to me thats a slap in CU's face ...it makes it sound like KMM was ready to go to UCLA as strictly a lateral move.

[OhMandy]

Looks like we will get to see if we get answers to those questions...........

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_8952655

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/apr/17/colorado-coach-withdraws-name-caldwell-still-runni/

If the Tennessee story is accurate, to me thats a slap in CU's face ...it makes it sound like KMM was ready to go to UCLA as strictly a lateral move.


Such BS. All KMM did was explore her options. She would be a food not to look into the UCLA. It wasn't what she wanted so she came back.

[LadyBuff]

I was told years and years ago that the Final Four is where coaches go to explore their options for next year. Sounds like Kathy did just that.

I'm glad to see Kathy stay and I hope her exploring is over for this year. I like Kathy and want her to stay at CU.

[Go Buffs]

Today's BDC article says that a contract extension was not offered.

http://www.buffzone.com/news/2008/apr/17/mcconnell-miller-to-stay/

The Denver Post and Rocky Mtn News both say that an extension is a done deal.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_8951349

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/apr/16/cus-mcconnell-miller-staying-boulder/

The Athletic Department follows the State of Colorado personnel guidelines to the letter, so there will be a ton of hoops to jump through before the extension is actually in place.

[CWM]

If the News and Post are correct (and it sounds like they are since they had quotes from Bohn) then I guess the trip out to LA to interview may have forced Bohn's hand. As a fan, you can't help feeling a little bit upset/angry thinking your coach might consider going somewhere else. But as a person trying to earn a dollar, you can't blame someone for bettering their situation. If going down the street and interviewing for another job gets me a raise then I think most of us would probably do it.

[BeBe]

.... But as a person trying to earn a dollar, you can't blame someone for bettering their situation. If going down the street and interviewing for another job gets me a raise then I think most of us would probably do it.

I totally agree with that. Although I grew up with the concept of a person staying with one company for a long time (my dad retired after > 40 years at AT&T) I know that things have changed and that job hopping to improve your situation is the norm today in all fields, including coaching.

But what bugs me, if true, is the implication in the GoVols article that KMM would have gone to UCLA if they had "come close to or match" her CU $$. That's no raise and I am quite sure that the cost of living in the LA area is not cheaper than it is in the Boulder CO area.

[buffshow]

I think her interview was a way of helping to get her contract extension at CU. Probably pretty savvy on her part.

[yurtle]

[QUOTE=LadyBuff;108618]I was told years and years ago that the Final Four is where coaches go to explore their options for next year. Sounds like Kathy did just that.
QUOTE]
Do you mean taking the team to the WNIT Final Four? Come on, after being ranked at 23 for a minute, the team hit the skids and was lucky to make it to the "other" tournament. And it's not for lack of talent. KMM has done a good job of recruiting. But can she coach? I guess we'll find out next year. Or the year after that, or...?

[BeBe]

I'm sure what Lady Buff was referring to was exactly what she said: the Final Four. The WBCA (women's basketball coaches association) meets in conjunction with the Final Four and a lot of job opportunity exploring goes on at those meetings, from what I've been told.

[swok34]

Do you mean taking the team to the WNIT Final Four? Come on, after being ranked at 23 for a minute, the team hit the skids and was lucky to make it to the "other" tournament. And it's not for lack of talent. KMM has done a good job of recruiting. But can she coach? I guess we'll find out next year. Or the year after that, or...?

Actually, I think she meant the NCAA Final Four. The coaches have a huge convention at the Championship site.

I'm not up to speed on how a coach "floats an interest"........but is it possible that a "headhunter/manager" could ask AD X if he would be interested in speaking to HX Z without the coach having knowledge that such a conversation had taken place? Like floating a weather balloon?

Women's BB is getting to be a cut-throat business. No win = no raise = no contract extension = no job. So I'm all for a head coach getting whatever she is aiming for. I think it's great to force someone's hand and using interviews with other schools as a way to accomplish that.

Regardless, it worked.

[ChipperF1]

It worked...but now the burden of proof is Kathy McConnell-Miller. She has to put some serious numbers on the board.

[Buffer29]

That Go Vols article is slanted toward their assistant coach. A friend emailed me another article from a Tennessee newspaper (sorry there was no link just cut and paste in the email) thats says essentially the same thing except the fact it says UCLA was trying to "match or exceed" what K-Mac earned at CU... it doesn't say anything about K-Mac wanting an offer "close to" what she was already making... if that was true then K-Mac wouldn't be very smart because if she made the same amount of money at UCLA as she does here - then that would be a substantial pay cut factoring in cost of living, etc.

The bottom line is I am not upset about her "listening" and if the reports are true that Bohn finally agreed to extend her then I doubt this will be an issue again until one of two things happen:

1. The program does not keep improving like it has been and K-Mac will not be renewed the next time when her contract is close to being complete. (in that case schools like UCLA won't be calling anyhow)

2. Colorado will continue to make significant strides and elevate themselves to a perennial sweet 16 team that consistently can threaten for Final Fours. (In this case, we can expect many more high profile programs like UCLA to be calling and that is when we will have to worry about her being one of the lowest paid coaches in our conference).

[CUBuff]

One of KMM's strengths was recruiting, but I wonder if it is going to take a hit because of this mess. I know what I would say if I were recruiting against her for a Colorado player. It's a shame considering the momentum built up from the WNIT and her open letter to CU fans and supporters. If the last scholarship goes unfulfilled for the spring signing period, it's a bad sign Colorado basketball.

[Buffer29]

I disagree CUBuff, rival recruiters were already using the fact that Bohn had not renewed her against her...if reports are true, now she has been renewed and has a full 5 years left on her contract. Now she can say to recruits that she turned down UCLA because of how much she believes in CU women's basketball and she is not going anywhere. If anything, this should help recruiting.

Remember UCLA contacted Bohn and asked for permission to speak with her - its not like she contacted UCLA herself... it doesn't happen that way.

[CUBuff]

I disagree CUBuff, rival recruiters were already using the fact that Bohn had not renewed her against her...if reports are true, now she has been renewed and has a full 5 years left on her contract. Now she can say to recruits that she turned down UCLA because of how much she believes in CU women's basketball and she is not going anywhere. If anything, this should help recruiting.

Remember UCLA contacted Bohn and asked for permission to speak with her - its not like she contacted UCLA herself... it doesn't happen that way.

Why does this site say "Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn said Thursday that reports that he and women's basketball coach Kathy McConnell-Miller have agreed to a contract extension are 'inaccurate.'"

http://www.buffzone.com

Bohn is supportive, but not an idiot. I think he wants some proof before he shells out the big $'s.

[Buffer29]

"Bohn said no details of McConnell-Miller's contract extension could be made available until the deal is finalized by CU's Board of Regents."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/apr/16/cus-mcconnell-miller-staying-boulder/

And as another poster pointed out:

The Athletic Department follows the State of Colorado personnel guidelines to the letter, so there will be a ton of hoops to jump through before the extension is actually in place.

I just assumed multi year deal meant 5 years as that is pretty common in the sport, I have no idea how many years it might be. But you are right, technically she has not been renewed but it sounds like they have to follow a process to make that happen. Honestly, I have no idea and after your post I am more confused then ever.

[yurtle]

I agree, Bohn is no idiot and probably doesn't want to lock himself in by extending her contract. I for one have grown impatient with the snail's pace improvement KMM has made at CU. She's had three years, with Coach Barry's recruits, and now her own. I'm not impressed with the progress. Now Jackie McFarland is gone, Susie Powers is gone, and even with them here, we had a so-so season. Looks to me like bad coaching or bad conditioning or both.
I expect more out of CU women's basketball, but maybe I'm spoiled after watching Ceal coach the team to all those Big VIII and Big XII victories and NCAA appearances. Have we forgotten what a "good" season really is?

[Buffer29]

What was Ceal's record in her final season? Who are all these great recruits Ceal left sans Jackie? Remember Suzie Powers didn't want to play for Ceal and went to Notre Dame, she only returned when Ceal retired.

What do you think of Spears, Houston, Putnina? Pretty good players if you ask me and all very young. I believe the future is bright. I think CU will be much better off when K-Mac has her team and not a mixture of her players and what Ceal left us with. She has always said she wanted to play a more up tempo style but this was the first year we really had the athletes to even consider it... with what we have now and the potential of what might be coming in, I think our team is going to be very solid.

The fact that we are much better off now than in Ceal's final season and K-Mac's first season isn't even debateable... IIRC, we had Laura Lubin left over from Ceal starting K-Mac's first year. Seriously the lack of talent on that team with the exception of Jackie who was tripled teamed was painful to watch. I am amazed we won a game that year. Who would you rather have playing guard Lubin or Spears?

[CUBuff]

Is anyone else checking their watch to time how long it takes LadyBuff to post, "Ceal Barry is gone! And she's not coming back!"

[Scamp]

UCLA hires Caldwell as head coach

Nikki Caldwell, a Tennessee assistant women's basketball coach who helped guide the Lady Vols to their second consecutive national championship last week, has been hired as head coach at UCLA, it was announced today.

Caldwell, who becomes the fifth women's basketball coach in Bruins history, met with UCLA officials Friday in Dallas and again this week to discuss the school's job opening. After that Friday meeting, in an interview with The Times, she called the opportunity to coach in Westwood "a gold mine."

"Nikki embodies everything we were looking for in a head coach," said Petrina Long, senior associate athletic director. "She has worked with some of the best coaches in the history of women's basketball, and we look forward to her establishing her own reputation as a great head coach." ...

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-womenucla18apr18,1,1915547.storyNikki was stunningly dressed at the Final Four. Look out LA, here comes a fashion plate coach! ;)

[BBFan2]

Is anyone else checking their watch to time how long it takes LadyBuff to post, "Ceal Barry is gone! And she's not coming back!"

Gone, but not forgotten... One can still hope!

[Buffer29]

Gone, but not forgotten... One can still hope!


Interesting first post. Seems like more of a fan of the former coach than a fan of the team/program.

I root for the CU WBB team/program and I for one am very happy to have players like Spears to watch and root for as opposed to Lubin. When Warden left its like Ceal just let recruiting go in the tank and that is what has made the last 4 years so difficult.

I am very grateful to Ceal for the many great years but I find it a bit irresponsible of her the way she left the program. I wish she had stepped down 2 years earlier instead she set our program back 5 years.... oh well, times are getting better.

[BeBe]

Ah but if Ceal had left 2 years earlier, we likely would not have had the pleasure of watching Jackie .... possibly the second best player in CUWBB history .... for the past 4 years.

[BBFan2]

Ouch. Thanks for the warm welcome. As a fan of the TEAM I am dismayed that with all this talent, we still can't make it to NCAA tournament. I take it you are a fan of McConnell-Miller, so lucky for you she didn't jump ship!

[rock]

I would hate to be a coach now days and know that if I pursue options that I think may be better than my present job for whatever reason, that hundreds if not thousands of people are going to rip me because you am not loyal. I know if I see a better opportunity in my field I will at least explore it. In my opinion she has some work to do for her next contract. She has got to be better in conference and I think has to get to the ncaa to get to the next contract. But, I think if they would have made the ncaa last year, then she would have been offered a contract already.

[Buffer29]

Ouch. Thanks for the warm welcome. As a fan of the TEAM I am dismayed that with all this talent, we still can't make it to NCAA tournament.

we are a young team and we are only going to get better. I assume you think that Ceal would have got us to the promised land with Lubin and others she left behind?

I agree Bebe about Jackie I am grateful for her but honestly, who is to say that had Ceal left 2 years earlier we still wouldn't have landed Jackie and there is no question that we would have had better talent to surround her during her 4 years.

I love Ceal but she left the program in shambles... she earned the right to decide when to walk away but I am dissapointed she didn't do a better job maintaining what she built her last couple years.

[Buffer29]

In my opinion she has some work to do for her next contract. She has got to be better in conference and I think has to get to the ncaa to get to the next contract. But, I think if they would have made the ncaa last year, then she would have been offered a contract already.


I am confused. The Denver papers today siad she was offered an extension. I hope so, its hard enough to recruit against our rivals in this conference we don't need any handicaps.

If they don't want to renew her they should say so and hire a new coach immmediately...recruiting is the lifeblood of the program and we just now seem to have it rolling again - BUT - we need to "stack classes" you can't have good classes 2 out every 4 years, you need solid classes year in and year out with an exceptional class sprinkled in every 4 years.

Perhaps, in fairness to Ceal, part of the problem she had recruiting toward the end was the uncertainty about her future... while the circumstances in this instance are different the underlying concern (looking at it from a teenager and her parent's perspective) is the assurance that the coach you SIGN to play with is going to be there. I don't understand why Bohn won't offer an extension, clearly he doesn't care about WBB...Had he offered an extension or at least indicated he was going to, I doubt K-Mac would have even considered UCLA...

Now we are in double jeopardy because recruits will hear "they don't want to renew her" and "she is out looking for other jobs".... the only way to end this madness is to renew her or fire her. Shit or get off the pot already....this is about our program and these next 6 months are critical as far as recruiting goes in Colorado - what in the world could Bohn be thinking?

Am I the only one who thinks Bohn does not give a dam about WBB? Its like he just has to "put up with it" but he really only cares about Mens Football and Basketball - and he should be a lot more worried about our Mens B-ball team then the Womens... he mortgaged a lot on Jeff. Im rooting for him too but come on.

[kate dawg]

Ceal left the program in shambles? She went to four consecutive NCAA tournaments, lost the then-second leading scorer in school history and a class of four seniors and had three transfers...for a total of seven letterwinners gone going into 2004-2005. She had a bad year that year, there is no question. And she did earn the right to leave on her own terms, there is no question about that either.

However, I don't think that leaving a program with 12 NCAA Tournament appearances including 6 trips to the Sweet 16 and an average of 19 wins a year is leaving the program in shambles. There was a foundation of greatness and success regardless of 04-05.

I would hope that Mike Bohn isn't going to renew someone based on a trip to the WNIT Semifinals if he's paying any attention at all to what the standards for Colorado Basketball SHOULD BE. You can say I'm a fan of the former coach if that's what you want to think, but what I'm a fan of was the standards of the program. Extending based on a WNIT run is rewarding mediocrity. She has two years left on her deal...get to the NCAA and then start talking extension.

[Buffer29]

I was pretty clear that I have respect for Ceal and her accomplishments.

My dissapointment is in the way she left the program...the recruiting her last few years here left a lot to be desired, we could have hired Pat Summit and she wouldn't have won more than 10 games with the team that Ceal left (IOW, no matter who was hired to replace Ceal the program had slipped enough that quickly that it had to be rebuilt)... this is not a debateable point its a fact.

Do I have to remind you that Ceal won 2 whole conference games her final year? Did she forget how to coach? Not likely...

It was because the talent just wasn't there. She left the cupboard bare (I think we both know that there was a reason why 3 players transferred and it does nothing to support your claim that our program was not being neglected toward the end) so anyone who expected more than what we have gotten the past 3 years has unreasonable expectations.

EDIT: All I am saying is we should be patient. If Ceal couldn't win with her own players in her final year, how do you expect someone else too? Its not like she left a roster of players who were returning from a run to the sweet 16... she left players who won 2 conference games total the year previously.

[kate dawg]

Fine. The fact remains that there are still standards for the program regardless of how Ceal left things and fans of the program shouldn't be willing to settle for less than those. No different for what Jody left at Texas for Goestenkors, what Marsha left at Tech for Curry. Those fans wouldn't settle and won't settle for three years of mediocrity in the aftermath.

I would argue that Mike Bohn DOES care a great deal about CU women's basketball BECAUSE he's not caving in on this extension business. It seems to me that he doesn't want to settle for a trip to or run in the WNIT as the standard of success and as a long time fan, I'm pretty glad about that. Again, she has two years left on her deal. I think this extension talk is premature and WHOEVER publicized it made a poor choice.

[Buffer29]

Fine. The fact remains that there are still standards for the program regardless of how Ceal left things and fans of the program shouldn't be willing to settle for less than those.

Well then we both agree it was good thing Ceal moved on because the program was stuck in reverse and is just now finally recovering from her transfers and horrendous recruiting over her last 3-4 years.

What you are proposing is to blame the new coach and hold her accountable for Ceal's recruiting failure at the end. Because in essence the current staff's recruits are freshman and sophomores this year... the juniors were a combination of Ceal's final recruits and perhaps one or two the new staff pulled in I don't remember. The current staff has been upgrading the talent. Outside of Jackie, our biggest contributors this year were freshman and sophomores (FACT), the next 6 months are critical for us in recruitng so we can continue to "stack classes"... Why do we want to handicap our own efforts? Have you not seen any upgrade in talent? We need to keep it up!

Let me say this, I don't know if KMM is the right coach for CU or not (I happen to believe she is but I don't know)... A good AD, needs to decide whether or not he thinks this program is heading the right direction or if he can find someone else that can get us there... what he doesn't need to do is harm our program by creating uncertaintity on whether or not he wants the coach!

As the parent of a teenager, I can tell you I would not let my daughter make a college choice to represent a University if I wasn't fairly confident the coach who was recruiting my daughter was going to be there... and if she has to decide between 2 or 3 schools and one of the schools has an AD that says he isn't sure he wants the coach, I will encourage my daughter NOT to pick that school. Ultimately the decision would be hers but my daughter trusts my wife and I very much and its NOT a good idea to go into a situation where the coach could be gone and the replacement doesn't get a long or has a different style etc etc.... its not worth the risk.

So for people like you who are obviously unhappy, lets PRETEND you are right... *IF* you are right, then we need to get a new coach IMMEDIATELY... otherwise we will be no better off in 5 years than we are now. It will be the same cycle all over again. We won't get the recruits the next 2 years because they won't know who the coach is going to be etc etc. then a new coach will come in after those 2 years and inherit whatever leftovers we get stuck with during the uncertaintity and hopefully that new coach will start building again.... problem is if the AD isn't patient and the impatient, unreasonable crowd starts barking that its not the standard of Colorado Basketball and we have to fire that coach too... Its a never ending cycle.

There is one other alternative however, and that is to throw a million dollar a year salary at a big time East Coast coach like Texas did and bring in a heavy hitter so to speak. Texas got Goestenkors cause they were willing to give her a million dollars a year, if she had to take a pay cut don't think for a minute she leaves Duke. So do you think Bohn would pony up a million a year and go get us a BIG NAME? Back to reality.

I know we are both fans of the program but seriously right now is the beginning of AAU ball... CU needs to stand behind their coach or bring in a new one, otherwise as it relates to recruiting - its like bringing a knife to a gun fight. Recruiting is cold blooded. CU needs to be United with a vision of the future to sell otherwise if we stand divided, we will be stuck with the players that the other teams in the Big 12 didn't want. Its not right but its just the way it is in recruiting... its the same for men and across sports for the most part. Its not a problem unique to Colorado and our AD - its everywhere. Unfortunately other AD's at BCS schools handle it with a little more savvy then ours has, so either he doesn't know what he is doing (not likely) or he just doesn't care about the WBB program!

[jcarter]

Nikki Caldwell new UCLA coach
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-womenucla18apr18,1,1915547.story

[kate dawg]

Well, agree to disagree I suppose. I'm not going to get into this player vs. that player and what constitutes talent and what I consider an upgrade vs. what you consider an upgrade. We're obviously looking for different measures of what makes a player good. There is also no point in discussion about whose responsibility the current state of things is, because we're not going to agree. It's counter-productive. So, we'll just agree to disagree and see how this plays out.

[Buffer29]

Fair enough, we agree to disagree.

FWIW, I know we both want the same things - and I hope I didn't suggest to anyone that I was "satisfied" with an NIT run.

I want CU to be a perennial sweet 16 contender that can threaten for Final Four appearances making it every so often....and dare I say eventually win it all at least once in my lifetime :)... IMO, we don't get there in today's hyper-competitive WBB environment without some stability...

so all I am saying is if Bohn doesn't want this coach - THEN GET A NEW ONE... cause if we keep her but don't extend her we are only hurting our own PROGRAM. UCLA put us in a bad spot. They openly courted our coach and demonstrated that there are other schools that might hire KMM if we don't want her (fortunately for us she chose to stay here but do we want this to be an annual event?)... IMO, we either say we want her (renewal) or bring someone else in immediately... and that may be too late too because we would still lose at least 1 year in recruitng under that scenario.

Don't let our recruiting go down the tubes the next 2 years while we (Bohn) "decides" if she is a good enough coach... cause by then her freshman and sophomores will be juniors and seniors - we will likely have a very very good team and everything will "seem" great....problem is it might cost more to keep her then because she will have put a big winner on the floor (lead by this years freshman and sophomores) and she will probably feel unwanted because of the drawn out drama on whether or not she gets renewed.

Anyone who thinks Spears, Putnina, Houston, and Smith aren't a good nucleus of a very good team for the next 2 years (Spears for 3 more) didn't pay attention this season. We will be good, very good before her contract is up and it might cost us more to keep her then... And, if we do manage to keep her at that time, well now the freshman and sophomore classes to replace our upperclassmen may not be the "top" recruits we could have had because of the uncertaintity over the future to begin with. Yet we have to pony up more money to keep her and we are stuck with a 2 year down cycle in recruiting with nobody to blame but ourselves.

This isn't rocket science folks. The worst move an AD can make is to do nothing. Either bring someone else in or renew, please for the sake of our program.

[CUBuff]

I am confused. The Denver papers today siad she was offered an extension. I hope so, its hard enough to recruit against our rivals in this conference we don't need any handicaps.

If they don't want to renew her they should say so and hire a new coach immmediately...recruiting is the lifeblood of the program and we just now seem to have it rolling again - BUT - we need to "stack classes" you can't have good classes 2 out every 4 years, you need solid classes year in and year out with an exceptional class sprinkled in every 4 years.

Perhaps, in fairness to Ceal, part of the problem she had recruiting toward the end was the uncertainty about her future... while the circumstances in this instance are different the underlying concern (looking at it from a teenager and her parent's perspective) is the assurance that the coach you SIGN to play with is going to be there. I don't understand why Bohn won't offer an extension, clearly he doesn't care about WBB...Had he offered an extension or at least indicated he was going to, I doubt K-Mac would have even considered UCLA...

Now we are in double jeopardy because recruits will hear "they don't want to renew her" and "she is out looking for other jobs".... the only way to end this madness is to renew her or fire her. Shit or get off the pot already....this is about our program and these next 6 months are critical as far as recruiting goes in Colorado - what in the world could Bohn be thinking?

Am I the only one who thinks Bohn does not give a dam about WBB? Its like he just has to "put up with it" but he really only cares about Mens Football and Basketball - and he should be a lot more worried about our Mens B-ball team then the Womens... he mortgaged a lot on Jeff. Im rooting for him too but come on.

KMM is still the coach. You win. All your ranting proves that maybe you need a timeout.

It's obvious that you are going to attack anyone that brings up any dissenting opinion about KMM. If you would actually read what people are concerned about, you would understand that there is more to being a women's basketball coach than landing a prized recruit. Basketball players don't come out of the womb knowing about solid defense and tenacity on the boards. (Unless you're Courtney Paris...ask any Oklahoma fan. :) ) Coaches enforce and foster it within their teams. Coaches understand their players and get the greatest potential and effort out of every member of their team. Coaches realize that there is flow to the game of basketball, and they should have a great understanding of what varying combinations of players he/she should plug in the game to get that all important win. Check the game film 29, this past year was sorely lacking in coaching.

As for Coach Barry (any CU alum and fan will tell you that she will always be Coach Barry), she admitted that she was always a coach first and a recruiter second. The proof is in the pudding. She may not have had a bench full of All-Americans, but she always got her share of W's. Those of us Buffaloes who have been with the program over the years know of the obstacles she faced in recruiting the Colorado kids. He Who Shall Remain Nameless filled basketball players heads with Dreams of UCONN in exchange for trust he terribly abused. Then there were the whispers of sexuality and rampant liberalism, who would want to send their daughter into a world like Boulder? Yet, Coach Barry stuck it out. She recruited all of those defensive stoppers and game changers and even a few All-Americans, and above all, Coach Barry won. We are Colorado. We expect good coaching.

Don't even get me started on Mike Bohn. He took the AD job when no one would give it a sniff because of a certain scandal. He grew up in Boulder and his own parents told him not to take the job when it was offered to him. He is a Buff through and through. Last time I checked, he wasn't the one shopping his name around for a new AD job.

So, Buffer29, sit down, shutup, and listen. You're predictable. We already know what you are going to say. BeBe will be at practice and scrimmage at the start of the season. LadyBuff will update us on local happenings on seating assignments and the BuffClub. UnkieMark, our beloved town crier, will keep us posted on the current Buff info. And the rest of us, we'll speak up when it is warranted. We are all Buffaloes whether we agree or disagree.

Since you accuse others of being disgruntled family members of our beloved team, I'm surprised that one has accused you of being the lost love child of KMM. Get your facts together before you post and stop assuming that you and you alone know what is in the best interest of this program. You are a fellow Buff, and you're family...but even family needs to be slapped down on occassion.

-Peace Out

[LadyBuff]

I obviously was talking about the NCAA Final Four--not the WNIT Final Four. If you have ever attended the Final Four, you would see that the coaches have their annual meeting there.

Just for the fun of it, I will say Ceal Barry retired of her own accord.:D She was not fired or forced as far as I know. I do know that in her first season here, she was booed. Sox Walseth had something like a 53 home game winning streak and when we lost our first home game under her, some of the about 100 fans at Coors were yelling for Ceal to go back to Cincinnati. We don't want you. We want Sox.

Thinks are a lot more cut throat now than they were at the beginning of Ceal's tenure at CU. Jen Warden was a great recruiter. It seemed that Ceal did lose her recruiting touch when Jen left.

Those last NCAA teams did not do well in the NCAA tournament. The 2004 team got killed in Santa Barbara in the first game and Amber Metoyer left the team shortly after. The 2001-3 team all lost in the second round. Not a one of those losses was even close.

If you do not have continuity in a program, you cannot build a program. I see a lot of returning talent in Spears, Putnina, Houston and Smith are very talented. I saw Fressle at the state tournament. She is very talented. What happens in the middle remains to be seen.

After following the team in the 1994-95 run for the Final Four, I realized how difficult this is. We lost to Georgia by 3 points in the game before the Final Four. It hurt. I was so sure this team, which was ranked number 2 in the country, was going to the Final Four. We've never had a team ranked as high as that one. I still remember the announcement show when CU was announced as either a 1 or 2 seed and Rebecca Lobo said it was too high. I wanted to throw something at the television. I wanted to go to the Final Four and beat UConn, but we didn't get there.

As far as athletic directors go, Ceal never got much support from the AD that I could see. Women's BB is always on the backburner at CU. Time will tell if Bohn is any different than his predecessors. I know that Mike can talk it up, but I don't know if he follows up. He's given me BS when he knew that is exactly what it was. I know he is good at that. For all I know, that has served him well in his career. ;)

And Kathy was Bohn's hire. Remember how Ceal's replacement played out?

[Buffer29]

With all due respect CUBuff, you are an idiot (if its possible to call someone an idiot with any amount of respect)... I want a National Championship and multiple Final Fours for us, despite what you or anyone else says - that takes recruiting.

I don't care if KMM is the coach, Ceal comes out of retirement, or Hillary Clinton throws her hat in the ring after losing this election... it doesn't matter to me...as long as we can get the talent required to compete at the highest levels...and we will never get that talent changing coaches every 3-5 years... If KMM isn't right for the job get someone in here that is and make sure she is around long enough to get us where we need to go... Its about the program and not one person, not KMM, not Ceal, not Bohn, and especially not YOU or I sir - are more important than this PROGRAM!

What I don't want is to muck up our program and the progress that is being made with a coaching change 2 years from now. You say I am predictable and I say I am consistent in my beliefs. I think I have pretty clearly expressed why the worst option at this moment is to do nothing...so I feel no need to repeat it.

Funny how you offered no counter argument to the salient points in my message instead you choose to attack me personally. Its very clear you care more about individuals (i.e. Ceal and Bohn, attacking me) then you do about our program. You see I am not advocating for or against anyone - I am advocating for something to be done, ANYTHING - one way or the other FOR THE GOOD OF THE PROGRAM!

You on the other hand, have made this personal at every level. You clearly are against our current coach and her staff and that is your perogative. You haven't offered any explanation as to how keeping a coach (who you have pretty much said doesn't have a clue) for 2 years in lame duck status is good for the program. I'm not saying you are wrong, I am just saying explain to me what is gained by keeping her? See if you really cared about the program this would be the line of thinking you would take... the fact you make it all so personal proves you have some other agenda than what is best for CU... I feel sorry you but I can still see right through you.


We both may be Buffs fans/alumni - but please don't ever refer to me as "family" or "friend" cause after seeing your true colors - you sir are neither.

[Buffer29]

I want to apologize to fans of all schools for having to read through the opinions of myself and others... and to be privvy to absolute lack of support the CU Womens BBall program gets internally - which has been going on as long as I can remember and long before Mr. Bohn came on the scene.

I believe 110% in what I have said as it relates to importance of recruiting to compete within this conference and Nationally - I venture to assume most fans of other schools believe in continuity and its significance in recruiting as well. The rival schools in our conference have been robbing our state of talented recruits for years - and its no surprise given the aforementioned lack of support our administration has for our sport.

I have many friends who follow Big 12 basketball and was overwhelmed by the compliments they would give about our ladies this year and how surprised they were at how competitive we were since the coaches picked us to finish 11th in conference. Whats amazing to me is that people who are fans of other teams saw more positives in our team this year than many of our own fans. To me that is very sad.

I have a deep deep love for CU and I look forward to cheering on my team no matter who the coach, no matter who is wearing the jerseys. After my exchange with CUBuff tonight, I realized this message board is not the place for me as I do not enjoy battling unknown enemies who clearly are pushing personal agendas rather than standing up for the good of the program.

I will save my discussions on CU athletics for my friends in the coffee shop and perhaps pen a letter next time I send in my donation. This is my last post ever on HoopScoop. Its been fun.... most of the time. :(

[BBFan2]

Buffer 29, don't go away. The discourse is stimulating. We may not agree, but the discussion is lively with you in it.
But I have to say, continuity, while good at times in recruiting, can leave a team struggling year after year with a not so good coach. Look at the men's team under Patton all those years. Continuity yes, but not when the coach can't produce.

[unkiemark]

It seems that I don't often post controversial opinions and that may not change a lot. I do feel compelled to share some thoughts at this time, especially since the posts have gotten so heated.

Buffer 29 is absolutely correct that recruiting is critical to this and any other program. I don't like the way recruiting has evolved over the last twenty years or so, but it is what it is these days.

As far as CU is concerned - they are in need of a very good recruiting class this November to keep the momentum of the WNIT going. And should they sign someone in the current signing period she needs to be a player that can make an impact. Yes, the Buffs need to "stack" a number of good classes together to continue to improve on the court.

As far as Bohn goes, I haven't seen or heard anything to make me think he doesn't fully support the women's basketball program. He apparently made a quick decision that dissuaded Borseth from taking the job that had been offered by the interim AD. He was heavily influenced by Geno Auriema in his choice of Kathy McConnell-Miller as head coach.

It seems as if some of the arguments against Bohn are about money. There isn't a lot he can do in terms of offering much higher salaries as CU's athletic department and the school in general just doesn't have a lot of money. The only revenue producer in the athletic department is the football program and it basically funds the other programs in the department.

It does seem that the Bohn is working to improve the facilities for both the men's and women's basketball teams. Yes, a big part of the motivation was the incentives given to the new men's coach , Jeff Bzdelik, who has escape clauses in his contract should the improvements not happen in a certain amount of time, but one way or another, it looks like the facilities are going to improve.

Whether or not Kathy merits an extension is a tricky issue. Yes, it would be hard to recruit effectively without one. On the other hand, one could argue that it must be earned with results on the court.

Let's hope that all is well between Kathy and Mike Bohn and she and her staff are going all-out in preparation for next season - including recruiting.

BTW, I like Mike Bohn, believe that CU can become one of the elite programs in the country.

[YCN]

There's too much minor to moderate hysteria in this thread. Like it or not, the truth is that Ceal Barry let this program run down into disrepair before she retired, although I could see that her interest in coaching (and especially recruiting) had waned sufficiently in the years before that her retirement was merely a formality.

Ceal is a minor legend at Colorado, and replacing her was not easy. The drop in attendance was as much the effect of loyalty to Ceal as the performance of the program. It's not easy to build a program back up in the Big 12, and I believe it's harder in the northern half. It took years for Connie Yori to bring the Huskers to back-to-back NCAA tournaments and finally one NCAA tourney win. Other coaches haven't been so lucky.

Coaches interview for other jobs to send a signal that they aren't completely satisfied and comfortable with their current positions. Why would that not be the case for Kathy? She's in the most expensive living market in the Big 12 with one of the smaller coaching contracts. He job security is limited by Colorado government rules. She's seen an increase in interest and she's certainly improving the program, but it's not like a high prairie wildfire has caught the program in Boulder. She's a professional, and she want's to build a good team. I can't imagine someone going to a career graveyard school like UCLA in a lateral move, so this interview is what I said it was, a signal that loyalty has its limits, and more needs to be done.

Give her time, she'll build a consistently winning program at CU. She's getting the kinds of players that she's looking for, but CU - especially with recent scandals in the athletic program - isn't the easiest place to recruit to. Fressle has real talent and is a solid get for the program. Kathy's shown she can recruit California, which has always been an important source of players for the program. She's making the contacts and connections that will allow her to make a major impact with in-state recruiting. Give her time.

Better times are right around the corner. She's not in a situation like Texas Tech, where the fans are worried sick that the program could fall into truly long-term disrepair. It's not easy to lose a player like Jackie, but elite post players are both a blessing and a curse, unless you can surround them with the proper talent. Just ask the fans of OU about that.

Relax, your program is in good hands. Getting back into the mode of regularly playing in the NCAA tournament is just around the corner, if CU can keep their current head coach. In spite of the legend of Ceal Barry, she never took a team to a truly elite status. With that reasonable amount of time to turn around a formerly fine program, CU will exceed former glory and become a perennial contender in both the Big 12 and the NCAA's.

There are more a-list coaches in the Big 12 than any other conference in the country. No one can expect early success in this conference without cleaning house (Kurt Budke). Kim Mulkey wasn't an overnight sensation at Baylor, nor has Gary Blair been one at A&M. And those two are recruiting smack in the middle of one of the top player recruiting areas in the country.

[dem]

I can't imagine someone going to a career graveyard school like UCLA in a lateral move, so this interview is what I said it was, a signal that loyalty has its limits, and more needs to be done.



Just curious: why do you say UCLA would be a career graveyard? I don't really know much about it, but I would think there's lots of potential there given great recruiting prospects in southern California.

[YCN]

Just curious: why do you say UCLA would be a career graveyard? I don't really know much about it, but I would think there's lots of potential there given great recruiting prospects in southern California.

Horrible attendance year after year, zero interest by the athletic department in developing a first-class women's basketball program, tons of professional teams within a short drive of campus, mountains, beaches, Hollywood, many other things. UCLA has always been a minor player on the national scene, only USC and Stanford have ascended the throne. Most top west coast players want to go to where women's basketball is an impact sport, and go east. UCLA would have to fight not only their own lack of momentum, but the general lack of momentum for the entire conference. The Pac-10 has been the sixth best conference and often worse for most of the history of women's NCAA basketball, in spite of having a population base that's very high.

[jcarter]

UCLA men have had a pretty good program
I think they made a step in the right direction
Nikki can build a winning program there
she knows how to recruit and build a team
and she will teach them how to win.

[Gator]

... It's not easy to build a program back up in the Big 12, and I believe it's harder in the northern half.
Interesting - but why? I thought it would be very hard at OSU simply because if kids are interested in playing "close" to home, there were multiple already successful programs within easy distance. I would think Colorado has an advantage as a B12 school sitting out there all alone, for all practical purposes. Someone wants to play in the big leagues AND stay within striking distance of friends and family and Boulder meets that geography standard? Sounds like a natural magnet to me. In other words, I remain VERY impressed with what Budke has done and wonder why CU hasn't been able to do a bit more a bit faster. It certainly didn't start any lower on the B12 ladder than OSU did.

[jcarter]

UCLA press confrence link
http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/041708aad.html

[LadyBuff]

There's too much minor to moderate hysteria in this thread. Like it or not, the truth is that Ceal Barry let this program run down into disrepair before she retired, although I could see that her interest in coaching (and especially recruiting) had waned sufficiently in the years before that her retirement was merely a formality.

I totally agree with you on this statement.

SNIP




Relax, your program is in good hands. Getting back into the mode of regularly playing in the NCAA tournament is just around the corner, if CU can keep their current head coach. In spite of the legend of Ceal Barry, she never took a team to a truly elite status. With that reasonable amount of time to turn around a formerly fine program, CU will exceed former glory and become a perennial contender in both the Big 12 and the NCAA's.



As far as I am concerned we did have one and only one elite team and that was the 1994-95 team. There wasn't one before then and there wasn't one after that time.

I also believe Kathy can do the job and will do the job--given the time to do it. Not too many coaches totally turnaround a team in three years.

When this past season's times played like Jackie and the seven dwarfs, it lost. A team it was not when it played like that. When it played as a team, it could win.

[unkiemark]

Very interesting take on Kathy and the impending extension by BDC columnist Neill Woelk in today's paper -

http://www.buffzone.com/news/2008/apr/19/k-mac-deal-questionable-call-for-cu/

And the previous day another article on the proposed extension -

http://www.buffzone.com/news/2008/apr/18/womens-hoops-bohn-approves-of-k-macs-results/

[YCN]

Very interesting take on Kathy and the impending extension by BDC columnist Neill Woelk in today's paper -

http://www.buffzone.com/news/2008/apr/19/k-mac-deal-questionable-call-for-cu/

And the previous day another article on the proposed extension -

http://www.buffzone.com/news/2008/apr/18/womens-hoops-bohn-approves-of-k-macs-results/

Your typical nastygram from Neill. He hates women's sports in general, so his "apples and oranges" argument sounds more like prunes to me.

[dem]

They may not have been "truly elite," but the 2002 team did make it to the Elite Eight. So they were at least somewhat elite.

[36Cord810]

Your typical nastygram from Neill. He hates women's sports in general, so his "apples and oranges" argument sounds more like prunes to me.

He might have an agenda, as I don't know him or read the paper, I do feel that folks who sign contracts need to live up to them. If you want to go look at every new job that opens, then sign a one year deal each year. If you sign the five year deal with the school, then live up to it and give that school five full years.

I am amazed at how many fans get mad at players for transferring and call them disloyal when the kids' NCAA scholarships are actually year to year. A coach can, and I know several who have, not renew a kid scholarship at the end of the season. And, even though it was the coach's decision, then the kid has to sit out a year before playing at another school. Yet that same coach thinks nothing of signing a new deal for five years or more and then bolting when they get another offer.

Let's equal things up. Either let kids transfer and play immediately, like coaches get to do, or force coaches to sit out a year if they transfer to another job when they still have time on their contract.

[YCN]

They may not have been "truly elite," but the 2002 team did make it to the Elite Eight. So they were at least somewhat elite.

CU ran into a buzz saw in that regional final, in what might have been the finest game ever played by any OU women's basketball team. For around 20 minutes of that game the Sooners reached a level that I can only describe as magical. It's very rare in any sport.

They couldn't match that in the Final Four, but I don't know that many teams could.

[dem]

For around 20 minutes of that game the Sooners reached a level that I can only describe as magical. It's very rare in any sport.

They couldn't match that in the Final Four, but I don't know that many teams could.


I would say that for about 15 minutes they came close to matching it, considering who the opposition was. There was a late run during the final game that pushed the Huskies very hard.

[labcoatguy]

I don't have anything relevant to say, so I'd just like to point out a culinary quote I found earlier on this thread.

She would be a food not to look into the UCLA [job].

[Scamp]

Sorry for the derail, but I can't resist this. The AP has a good one today: While Monday was a get-aquatinted session for the 12 Storm players that are in camp, it was also a celebration of the team's future in Seattle. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/wires/04/22/2030.ap.bkl.storm.starts.0572/Is this a hint that the Storm's uniform colors are changing? :rotflol:

[labcoatguy]

You know, Texas A&M has been looking at the world through Aquatinted glasses these past four years.:)

[jcarter]

I thought A&M was still seeing orange :rotflol::D

[MsProudSooner]

No more than Tennessee is seeing stars. Those lucky stars that Tennessee is thanking that A&M didn't have their 'A' offensive game that night in OKC. Otherwise, Tennessee would still be waiting. for #8.

[unkiemark]

From the BDC's Chris Shelton an interesting blog on what Kathy M-M has done in the three years in Boulder versus other Big 12 coaches.

http://www.dailycamera.com/blogs/cu-womens-basketball/2008/apr/29/kmac/

[unkiemark]

Here's a follow-up to the previous Shelton blog on Kathy -

http://buffzone.com/blogs/cu-womens-basketball/2008/may/06/extension/

[Scamp]

Dawn Staley signed a six-year extension with Temple last year. Now, according to Mel Greenberg, she's interviewing with South Carolina. What, if anything, does a long-term contract mean anymore?

http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/womhoops/2008/05/sources_staleysouth_carolina_t.html

[TTU79]

Scamp, I think you and I must have the same opinion on this. My answer is apparently, from looking at the past few years, a long term contract has no meaning.:rolleyes:

[Gator]

Scamp, I think you and I must have the same opinion on this. My answer is apparently, from looking at the past few years, a long term contract has no meaning.:rolleyes:

I think it is important to understand what a long term contract is NOT.

It is NOT a commitment on the part of the coach OR the school to continue employment for the length of the contract - it is simply spelling out the terms of employment and what will happen (ie, what it will cost) if either the school or the coach does not continue under the contract.

In Temple's case, it says that another school must REALLY want this person because they are going to have to buy out the contract to get her. As not many schools can do that, it cuts down on the number of potential schools who can raid you.

For the coach, it means that they have a LOT of wiggle room as the cost of the school getting rid of them is high unless the coach really does something BIG and wrong.

For example, that coach who didn't even attend senior night honors ... if the school had tried to fire her they would have had to pay her full salary for the remaining years of her contract unless they could prove that her coaching style had changed dramatically since they granted her a contract extension a couple of years ago.

Caveat to all of the above - I'm not a lawyer but was in HR a long time and I assume the "rules" haven't changed that much since then - that the above is how I understand the puts and takes.

Edited to add that the above is obviously a very simplified version of employment contracts and that everyone who works for someone else has an "implied" contract but you really don't want to get into that here! :) If a coach and/or a school REALLY wanted a commitment, built into the contract would be a clause which prohibited that coach from working at a similar job for X# of years if they left before the end of the contract.

[Scamp]

Thanks, gator, for the explanation!

Maybe coaches should be signed to one-year contracts just the way their student-athletes are? It doesn't seem fair to the kids who are recruited by coach A and end up with coach B (and maybe coach C, as well). :confused:

[Scamp]

USC seeks cash to hire Staley
Sources say Hyman wants to go beyond planned budget for high-profile coach

South Carolina is trying to come up with a financial package to lure Temple coach Dawn Staley to Columbia.

USC athletics director Eric Hyman has spoken with university officials about spending more money on the next women’s coach, according to multiple sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The Gamecocks likely will need the extra resources to land Staley, who is among the country’s 20 highest-paid coaches with an annual guaranteed deal worth about $400,000, according to an industry source. Staley’s contract also includes a sizable buyout, the source said.

http://www.thestate.com/gamecocks/story/397697.html

Will South Carolina have to hold a bake sale to be able to afford Dawn Staley? :rolleyes:

[Row6Seat10]

South Carolina is trying to come up with a financial package to lure Temple coach Dawn Staley to ColumbiaMust of Got-er-dun according to this report! Staley is named the new Head Coach at South Carolina! :)

http://southcarolina.scout.com/2/752990.html

[jcarter]

i'm interested in seeing how she does in SEC

[unkiemark]

The first link is for an article on Kathy and the UCLA job interview, the second is a blog that has the transcript from the interview.

http://www.buffzone.com/news/2008/may/09/k-mac-interview-wasnt-for-leverage/

http://buffzone.com/blogs/cu-womens-basketball/2008/may/09/ucla/

[Gator]

I think I believe 90% of what she is saying but it is hard to imagine that it didn't at least occur to her that even bringing the UCLA offer to the UC AD didn't strengthen her position re a contract extension.

It sure wouldn't have hurt to say most of this a LOT closer to the time she returned from the UCLA interview. I wonder why she didn't.

The thing I believe most solidly is that all things being about equal, she would rather stay where she is. She has 3 years of development under her belt and knows how hard it is and believes she is about to reap the rewards so why leave.

[BeBe]

.....It sure wouldn't have hurt to say most of this a LOT closer to the time she returned from the UCLA interview. I wonder why she didn't.....

Exactly what I was thinking when I read the article this morning. (haven't read the blog yet). The quotes from KMM in the article make sense. But it sure would have been nice if she had made the " when it reaffirms that the job you have is the job you believe in " quote right after this entire thing became public.

[LadyBuff]

I thought the same thing.

I also remember the frustration on a husband of a former assistant being totally frustrated that first season with the caliber of the players Kathy had inherited. I am sure Jackie was an exception to that. After one blow out loss, I overheard him telling someone that most of those players didn't even belong in Division I. I know that wasn't a smart thing for him to say where a mere fan could over hear it, but he said it.

I do give Kathy credit for not running off the players she inherited and for adapting her game to them once she realized that they could not adapt to her style. Some have said she ran off Lauren Lubin, but officially Lauren quit. I don't know that story. Yari Escalara was a Ceal Barry recruit, who was very emotional about Ceal retiring. Yari started most games that first season, but it always appeared that she was not happy. I was not surprised to see her leave the program.

Ryanne Ridge left this year, but she was a Kathy recruit from Tulsa who never really played.

[rock]

I have to agree with the husband of the former assisant coach. I dont think in the first coupe of years we had alot of high D1 caliber players. KMM has brought more in which will help her in the future. It seems to me from afar that she has some different ideals about how to run a program then some coaches, the mens coach has had at least 7 players leave the program in the last 2 years since he has been hired. I think starting next year the win loss record will be more indicitive of what KMM is doing then before.

[LadyBuff]

I don't consider the first season Kathy was here as "her" team. Every kid playing on the court was a Ceal Barry recruit.

[unkiemark]

The latest blog from Chris Shelton has another transcript from the interview with Kathy McConnell-Miller. This one focuses on her philosophy on rebuilding as well as the point guard position.

http://buffzone.com/blogs/cu-womens-basketball/2008/may/14/philosophy/