Is Marion Washington Gone? [Archive]

Jimi

03-08-2003, 04:02 AM

As a Kansas State fan I'm tempted to make a wise guy remark that I hope they keep them both. I am not much of a Marion Washington fan for several reasons which are good and sufficient for Wildcat fans.

Truth be told though, I think she is moving in the right direction again, late maybe, but greatly improving none-the-less. She has been a good coach over the years and and to paraphase KU Coach Roy Williams regarding criticism of his coaching, "if she got stupid she has been stupid for twenty years, she didn't just get stupid overnight."

There sure is no evidence that she has been stupid for twenty years. She may not have gotten past the sweet 16 but she has won over 550 games and is one of the pioneers in this game. She has also been paid well but she had to fight for that and I don't think the fans or the University really ever put much emphasis on WBB. If she does get cut this year she will leave a progam that has some fine young players and not a bare cupboard.

Maybe as a Wildcat fan I should hope they get rid of Coach Washington and Keep "Enron Al" Bohl. And yeah, I agree with Chipper, Classlessness would not be a problem for Enron Al. His firing of football Coach Terry Allen (the way he did it, not that he did it) showed no class at all. That's just one of many reasons he is in trouble at KU. Its pretty clear that Roy Williams is NOT a fan of Enron Al and that is not a good thing for your longevity in Lawrence. He also has not even gotten any support from Mark Mangino who he just hired last year to replace Allen.

I wouldn't read too much into the tea leaves out of the KU atletic department right now. A.D. Al Bohl is under a lot of pressure and reporters are looking for ways to get any sort of contraversial news quotes out of him. My assumption is MW gets one more year and if she does I'm betting she makes good use of it and we won't be talking about her getting fired anymore. On the other hand she has been VERY well paid so she may not have financial pressure to stay. She just might decide to call it a career on her own soon. I don't see her bailing out on her own immediatly though. I think her competitive fire is burning hot and she wants to prove she can still compete with that upstart Deb Patterson.

To poor a little gas on the firing fire though, shortly after he was hired Al Bohl told everyone that he expected all his coaches to be in the top 25 in the country or they were in trouble. He said the only exception was Roy Williams who he expected to be in the top 10. Even as a left-handed complement that did not set well with some folks.

ChipperF1

03-08-2003, 07:12 AM

"Al Bohl told everyone that he expected all his coaches to be in the top 25 in the country or they were in trouble.

Its nice to have expectations, but you also have to put the resources behind them. So far, I haven't seen that Bohl. He's a "BCS or Bust!" type of AD, and that doesn't bode well for many sports.

And as for Mandy's contention. Point taken, BUT.
When you been there for 30 years and served with distinction and you built the program, there is a such thing as loyalty. There are certain ways you handle situations and to me firing a Founding Aunt of this game and one of its earliest sufferagettes smacks of ingratitude in my views, especially when they've had to swim upstream most of the way.

But then again, Mandy, you believe in the modern corporate model of psuedoleadership after all, you spend an awful lot of bandwidth at The Bootleg calling for Tara Vanderveer's head. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

Guns Up!

03-08-2003, 07:17 AM

Sounds like Al Bohl is the one who needs to be shown the door. What a drip!

Bball Girl

03-08-2003, 10:58 AM

I agree with Chipper. Coach Washington has given more to the development of college athletes that Mr. Bohl could ever dream of giving. She has one of the TOP recruits coming in next year and Kansas has shown clear signs of improvement. To fire her especially this year would be a slap.

Kansas has been the last holdover from the Big 8/SWC that hasn't regrouped..I know they were quite competitive at the beginning of the Big 12.

Coach Conradt talked at some point this year about the difference in playing in the Big 12 vs. the SW conf. Texas won a huge number of SWC games in a row and Coach Conradt said that could never happen today in the Big 12.
In the past couple of years, I sensed a resentment in Conradt about the competiveness of the Big 12..I based that on her tone of voice and her comments about the Big 12 in the last couple of years.

But this year she is relishing it and has been so much more positive about the conference and the other teams and her own team. And look at the results!

I think Coach Washington is finding the same road back and KU should give her that chance.

hornsofthedilemma

03-08-2003, 12:15 PM

Although I agree with the feelings expressed that MW has earned the opportunity to turn her program again, I must state that I respectfully disagree with Bball girl's assessment when she reports that "I sensed a resentment in Condradt about the competativeness of the Big 12".

Mind reading aside, what the coach states clearly is that she relishes the competition. She has stated that it challenges her and her team every night. She also talks about parity and it is clear that she has worked hard for years to enable as many women's teams as possible to be competative. She says she wants to avoid having certain teams be able to dominate through unfair advantages like lack of interest in the supporting institution. Of course, she does not want to eliminate the fair advantages of great coaching and use of talent and determination to the fullest.

[This message has been edited by hornsofthedilemma (edited 03-08-2003).]

hornsofthedilemma

03-08-2003, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by hornsofthedilemma:
Although I agree with the feelings expressed that MW has earned the opportunity to turn her program again, I must state that I respectfully disagree with Bball girl's assessment when she reports that "I sensed a resentment in Condradt about the competativeness of the Big 12".

Mind reading aside, what the coach states clearly is that she relishes the competition. She has stated that it challenges her and her team every night. She also talks about parity and it is clear that she has worked hard for years to enable as many women's teams as possible to be competative. She says she wants to avoid having certain teams be able to dominate through unfair advantages like lack of interest. She reports she'd like all women's teams to have the full support of their institution. Of course, she does not want to eliminate the fair advantages of great coaching and nurturing of talent and determination to the fullest.

My own mind read is that she prefers her success today to the days when Texas dominated because there were few women's programs that received the support she was able to create here at UT. It's a tough, competative conference and that's good for everyone.

carolann

03-08-2003, 12:45 PM

That is a bunch of baloney about Conradt resenting the Big 12 competition. Conradt loves competition. She thrives on competition. It is one of her core values. That is one reason she likes to have a full roster of 15 players. She doesn't want any player to think she has an automatic starting berth and she wants every player to compete for playing time. Conradt may want to educate Texas fans a bit about the change in competition. If so, it's a lost cause. Times may change but the expectations of Texas fans don't

OhMandy

03-08-2003, 01:57 PM

Originally posted by ChipperF1:

But then again, Mandy, you believe in the modern corporate model of psuedoleadership after all, you spend an awful lot of bandwidth at The Bootleg calling for Tara Vanderveer's head. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

No actually Chippy I believe somebody can grow stale being at a school for a long time. Much like the Queen Tara at Stanford and MW at KU have been. I saw KU play Cal State Fullerton and they struggled to win by 10. I mean come on one of the worst teams in D-1 and KU only wins by 10? Washington St who had something like a 35-40 game losing streak blew out Idaho who plays in the same conference as Fullerton. Hell even the school you worship Chippy blew out Fullerton.

But then again Chippy you don't know what standards and expectations are do you? You're just happy if your team finishes 500. Right Chippy ole boy?

ChipperF1

03-08-2003, 09:49 PM

"I believe somebody can grow stale being at a school for a long time. Much like the Queen Tara at Stanford and MW at KU have been.

Marion was stagnant for the last two years. I've felt she's lost the fire in the belly. However, she can't totally take the charge for the last two years. She's had some kid that haven't pan out and there are responsbilities on the player end.

However, when a coach has won 550 games and has built the program, you just don't summarily execute that coach. Plus, you don't do it when the coach goes out and gets two High School All-Americans, plus some fresh young talent this season. Kansas is a team on the move.

"But then again Chippy you don't know what standards and expectations are do you?

Standards and expectations are in the eye of the beholder. In your eyes, Stanford winning 32 games with a gestalt team with limitations was a failure, and we've had that argument before.
In my eyes, anytime you can come back from injury and inconsistency and have to change your strategic, tactical and personal tendencies and the work out, that is expectations succeeded in my view. Tara did it at Stanford, and her teams are better for it. Jody Conradt made some changes, and look how its benefitting Texas. Marion got back to recruiting these last two years, maybe she's turning a corner and setting up a template for the next head coach in Lawrence.

Off the topic, but on your contention, I also under standard and expectations of civility when discusses issues in a civil form. You, my friend, often launch the cheap tactical weapon of namecalling, badgering, insulting without provocation. It is funny you talk of "Standards" and "Expectations", yet you fail to any of those virtues in virtually every forum you come into. I see you still have not learned much from being booted from the bootleg, but such is life http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

Oh, by the way, keep the slights and insults of my beautiful home state coming in. Roger Welsch wants to put them in his next book of poetry. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by ChipperF1 (edited 03-08-2003).]

TXSNOS

03-09-2003, 01:54 AM

Originally posted by carolann:
That is a bunch of baloney about Conradt resenting the Big 12 competition. Conradt loves competition. She thrives on competition. It is one of her core values. That is one reason she likes to have a full roster of 15 players. She doesn't want any player to think she has an automatic starting berth and she wants every player to compete for playing time. Conradt may want to educate Texas fans a bit about the change in competition. If so, it's a lost cause. Times may change but the expectations of Texas fans don't

I agree. Conradt is also about giving as many young women as possible a chance to have the experience of being on the team and attending a top university like the University of Texas. She's all about giving women an opportunity to succeed.

Txs N Os

[This message has been edited by TXSNOS (edited 03-09-2003).]

BenEClone

03-09-2003, 02:43 AM

WomensCollegeHoops included MW among those coaches on the hot seat, but, noted that the Hall of Fame coach wouldn't get fired. Pressure to retire is possible, but, unconscionable not to let her play out this hand of a young team and top recruit coming in. On the other hand, if you want a new coach to look real good to recruits, anyone coming in is going to show improvement in the w/l columns over the last couple of years. Another concern now is the early signing period next fall.

Bevo

03-09-2003, 10:56 AM

Here's my sense of Conradt's view of competitiveness. Back in 1990, Texas lost an 82-77 contest to Arkansas, a game which ended a 183 game win streak against SWC opponents. I remember reading a comment by Arkansas coach John Sutherland, who gave some credit to Conradt for helping him believe that the Razorbacks could actually make the breakthrough against the 'Horns. He recalled a conversation with Conradt in which he made the statement "IF we ever beat you...". Conradt corrected him and said, "WHEN you beat us...", laying out a goal for the young coach with a rapidly improving team. I think she knew then as well as now, that intense competition within her conference was much better for the game as a whole than the night-in, night-out domination that went on for some 13 years.

OhMandy

03-09-2003, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by ChipperF1:

Oh, by the way, keep the slights and insults of my beautiful home state coming in. Roger Welsch wants to put them in his next book of poetry. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by ChipperF1 (edited 03-08-2003).]

Where do you see anything about Neb? You're nothing but a bitter stupid old man who has no clue about expectations and standards. Stick to accepting 14-14 seasons.

ChipperF1

03-09-2003, 06:55 PM

"You're nothing but a bitter stupid old man.

Now, now, Battyman, temper, temper.. Breathe In, Breathe Out http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

35TangoTango

03-09-2003, 09:22 PM

If one is to go by Mandy's philosophies, my recommendation to coaches would be "don't develop any loyalty to your school, cause they damn sure won't have any for you".

Unfortunately, all too many AD's do have that policy. In my opinion, coaches who have been at a school for many years, and had success there, have earned the right to stay. I will be giving away my age by this, but I have never forgiven KState for firing Jack Hartman, and I have taken pleasure in the fact that they really haven't gotten back to his level since.

I think perhaps Marion Washington is one of those people, too. How short our memories are, that we don't remember who won the first Big 12 Championship. Good thing that Texas didn't have Mandy as AD, or Coach Conradt would have been long gone.

Bball Girl

03-09-2003, 09:56 PM

Make sure you read the whole thing...I stand by my comments...I remember clearly listening to the other Big12 coaches wax poetic about the strength of the Big 12 and how proud they were of the conference last year. When asked the same questions, Coach Conradt's remarks were lackluster...LAST YEAR!

But quoting myself

But this year she is relishing it and has been so much
more positive about the conference and the other teams and her own team. And look at the results!

TRH

03-09-2003, 11:42 PM

As a UT season ticket holder and foundation member for years I have listened to coach Conradt’s comments both to and away from the media over a long period of time. She has never been anything but positive about the Big 12, and the competitiveness in the league. In particular LAST YEAR she sang the praises of the conference over and over, and consistently from the beginning of the season to the end. Bballgirl, I’m not sure what you heard to give you the impression that coach Conradt was anything but excited about the level of play in the Big 12. But, I guarantee you the Big 12 has been good for Texas women’s basketball, coach Conradt knows that, and has said so at every opportunity for years.

I find it interesting that there are also those who have called for coach Conradt’s job for years. Despite her past success, despite the consistent progress in the program for several years there have been those who would have had her fired. This year has quieted those folks so far. But, let Texas do anything less than a return to the sweet 16 and they will be calling for her head again.

A lack of respect for long and successful careers is not something exclusive to KU. Pointing out what is wrong is much easier than pointing out what is right. Complaining is easier than praising. Obviously there are many people who feel the need to talk but don’t want to put themselves out. In the case of either coach I think they have clearly earned the right to an opportunity to turn their programs around. Coach Conradt seems to have survived the nay-sayers, and appears to have returned her program to a high level of competitiveness. I know much less about the history and specifics of the Kansas program, but it appears from here that coach Washington is well on the way to rebuilding a strong program at Kansas.

OhMandy

03-09-2003, 11:42 PM

Originally posted by soonerman:
If one is to go by Mandy's philosophies, my recommendation to coaches would be "don't develop any loyalty to your school, cause they damn sure won't have any for you".

Unfortunately, all too many AD's do have that policy. .

Let's see Minnesota gave their coach a 4 or 5 year deal and after one season she leaves for Maryland. There sure was loyalty there!!!! Chris Gorbecht left Florida State for USC after a year. Jim Foster who was at Vandy for what? 10-15 years? Left when the big money from Ohio St came. Loyalty is a two way street.

With more and more money being put into women's basketball programs, AD's can't afford to allow coaches like MW to continue to lose and lose and lose.

35TangoTango

03-10-2003, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by OhMandy:

Jim Foster who was at Vandy for what? 10-15 years? Left when the big money from Ohio St came. Loyalty is a two way street.
My point exactly - Why couldn't Foster get rewarded for his 15 years of success at Vandy? Why did he have to go elsewhere to get "the big money"?

With more and more money being put into women's basketball programs...
At KU?? Get serious!

AD's can't afford to allow coaches like MW to continue to lose and lose and lose.

She won the conference outright six years ago!! (I repeat) Good thing that Texas didn't have Mandy as AD, or Coach Conradt would have been long gone.

OhMandy

03-10-2003, 03:21 AM

Did you not see the other examples of coaches who left after a year or two at Minn, Florida St, etc?

Umm I know this maybe something most Big 12 fans don't understand but Vandy is a private school. Not a state funded school like all Big 12 schools are. Vandy has the smallest budget in the SEC. They can't afford to pay Foster the big bucks. If Foster was so loyal he wouldn't want the big bucks and would have retired at Vandy.

And in today's business climate loyalty isn't there. Unless you have noticed all the layoffs in several industries. 25 year employees are being given the pink slip without regard to their "loyalty"

dem

03-10-2003, 03:45 AM

Sometimes coaches come to a point where they feel that they have done all they could at a particular school, and they want to move on to other challenges. That may be the case with Jim Foster, and others. Money does not have to be a determining factor.

Now, although money may not be the main factor, no big-time coach will move UNLESS they're offered big bucks. Because, if they're not being offered top-level compensation, they will know for sure that the other institution is not truly serious about putting resources into building a championship program.

swok34

03-10-2003, 09:53 AM

Not a state funded school like all Big 12 schools are

Actually, I think Baylor is a private school.

35TangoTango

03-10-2003, 10:57 AM

Originally posted by OhMandy:
Did you not see the other examples of coaches who left after a year or two at Minn, Florida St, etc?

Umm I know this maybe something most Big 12 fans don't understand but Vandy is a private school. Not a state funded school like all Big 12 schools are. Vandy has the smallest budget in the SEC. They can't afford to pay Foster the big bucks. If Foster was so loyal he wouldn't want the big bucks and would have retired at Vandy.

And in today's business climate loyalty isn't there. Unless you have noticed all the layoffs in several industries. 25 year employees are being given the pink slip without regard to their "loyalty"

I don't understand the point you are trying to make here - unless it's that "some coaches have no loyalty, so schools should screw the ones that do".

I disagree.

OhMandy

03-10-2003, 04:26 PM

I'll type really really slow, so that even a Sooner fan will be able to understand.

Loyalty is a two way street. Both from the schools and the coaches. You can't knock a school, in this case KU if they fire MW but at the same time put a spin on a coach like Foster or Gorbecht who leave after a year or after being at a school for a long time.

Schools and coaches have to do what's best for their own interests. If KU fires MW, hopefully they can get a coach who can bring KU back to the top of the Big 12 standings.

BTW if another school offered MW a big money contract think she would be loyal to KU and stay?

JohnHenry

03-10-2003, 05:04 PM

You'll have to type slower than that for this Texan, Mandy, cause I still don't see a single valid point on your part here.

2 Things:

1) What the hell does Gobrecht's leaving FSU or Foster leaving Vandy have to do with KU's loyalty to MW? Absolutely nada - completely different situations. Gobrecht had no roots in Tallahassee, FSU had no tradition in women's bball (which, granted, she didn't help much, imo), and her alma mater, WHICH DOES have a winning tradition, called her home. Better money, better support, fertile recruiting grounds. Younger coach on a different playing field than MW could survey at a similar point in her career.
Foster was offered by one of the premier departments in the country, which is also flush with cash at the moment - the resources for building a champion are much greater at OSU. Not a knock on Vandy, just reality. He put in 15 years there, built a sterling program, and was only a game or two away from the big prize. Chances are, OSU can get him over the hump. Also a younger coach than MW.

2) Washington has served KU with dedication for 30 YEARS, and been pretty successful against pretty tough odds. It may be fair to say that her best days are behind her, but that doesn't necessarily mean Bohl should thank her for her decades of service and success with his left foot in her ass. MW was indeed enticed by several schools back in the 80s (when many programs were beginning their push up the ladder), and she turned them all away. Whether that was due to her 'loyalty' to KU (which has never given her the $$ support she deserved, btw), or having established her family and circle of friends in Lawrence, or both, is a matter of conjecture. But the fact remains that she stuck it out there and succeeded IN SPITE OF many obstacles, KU's athletics department included.

Comparing Gobrecht leaving FSU to KU possibly firing MW is such utter and complete nonsense that it hardly merits the time and trouble of a response. Please go soak you head now & thank me later.

[This message has been edited by JohnHenry (edited 03-10-2003).]

35TangoTango

03-10-2003, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by OhMandy:
I'll type really really slow, so that even a Sooner fan will be able to understand.

You obviously haven't typed slow enough, as I still don't get your point - see comments below.

Loyalty is a two way street. Both from the schools and the coaches. You can't knock a school, in this case KU if they fire MW but at the same time put a spin on a coach like Foster or Gorbecht who leave after a year or after being at a school for a long time.

But Coach Washington HAS been both loyal and successful over a long period of time, so I don't see how your arguement applies to this case!

Schools and coaches have to do what's best for their own interests. If KU fires MW, hopefully they can get a coach who can bring KU back to the top of the Big 12 standings.

I do get your point here, and I want you to at least understand mine, whether you agree with it or not. I believe that coaches who have proven both their profiency and loyalty through long and successful careers at a school should get more time ro recover from "dry spells". MW has had three bad seasons at a school that has given her very little support in recent years, compared to the support given the programs she is competing with. She has also shown some ability to recover, in that she has done some very good recruiting. I think she has earned more years (and more support) from the KU administration!

How would we apply your standards to some other Big 12 schools? Texas, for instance? Before this year, how long had it been since Coach Conradt won, or even challenged for, a conference championship? Would you have fired her back at the 750 win mark? What about Coach Sharp? If things fall apart at Tech, how many years does she get before you can her?

BTW if another school offered MW a big money contract think she would be loyal to KU and stay?

I don't know the answer to that question, and neither do you!

Bob_Ballew

03-10-2003, 10:31 PM

MW is a great coach and every program is going to go through the ups and downs. Look at the Big 12 conference from top to bottom. There are more attractive choices for players now days than ever before. Before, KU was one of THE places to be. Now it is just one of many. I think things are looking up for KU with the recent recruits. I think she will still be there next season.

OhMandy

03-11-2003, 01:10 AM

Originally posted by JohnHenry:
You'll have to type slower than that for this Texan, Mandy, cause I still don't see a single valid point on your part here.

2 Things:

1) What the hell does Gobrecht's leaving FSU or Foster leaving Vandy have to do with KU's loyalty to MW? Absolutely nada - completely different situations. 2) Washington has served KU with dedication for 30 YEARS, and been pretty successful against pretty tough odds. It may be fair to say that her best days are behind her, but that doesn't necessarily mean Bohl should thank her for her decades of service and success with his left foot in her ass. MW was indeed enticed by several schools back in the 80s (when many programs were beginning their push up the ladder), and she turned them all away. Whether that was due to her 'loyalty' to KU (which has never given her the $$ support she deserved, btw), or having established her family and circle of friends in Lawrence, or both, is a matter of conjecture. But the fact remains that she stuck it out there and succeeded IN SPITE OF many obstacles, KU's athletics department included.

Comparing Gobrecht leaving FSU to KU possibly firing MW is such utter and complete nonsense that it hardly merits the time and trouble of a response. Please go soak you head now & thank me later.

[This message has been edited by JohnHenry (edited 03-10-2003).]

Since you're such an idiot, I'll type even slower for you. The point I'm trying to make is that loyalty is a two way street. Loyalty from the school to the coach and the coach to the school. Following me so far? Or should I type slower?

Follow me now to another paragraph. My examples of Foster and Gorbecht proves to most people with a brain, oh wait that won't include you, that some coaches aren't loyal to a school either.

Yes that's not the case with MW. She has been loyal to KU and I think KU has shown enough loyalty to her (for the past 2-3 years) that if they fire her or force her to retire after this year only pinko liberal idiots such as yourself would ***** and complain.

Is that slow enough for you? Ask a 6th grader in case you don't understand.

OhMandy

03-11-2003, 01:16 AM

Soonerman, I do agree that coaches who have been at a school for a long time and have been successful should be given a little longer to turn things around. BUT in the Big 12 if you don't improve you're going to fall further and further behind, which KU has.

My agruement is that KU has been loyal to MW. How many more losing seasons is acceptable until KU makes a change?

Look every great coach starts to lose his or her effectiveness after a while. It's clear that's the case for MW.

40ishHorn

03-11-2003, 01:36 AM

OhMandy! Who are you and why do all of these people take you seriously? You're not reading SLOW ENOUGH. MW actually HAS won a Big 12 Championship.

You don't mean to learn us Big 12 folk that Vandy is a private school!!! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/rolleyes.gif Well, who'd a thunk it?

Did you ever have any credibility on this board? I'm new.

DblT81

03-11-2003, 01:51 AM

I like to listen to Coach Washington on the weekly conference calls. She sounds so dignified.

35TangoTango

03-11-2003, 09:39 AM

Originally posted by 40ishHorn:
OhMandy! Who are you and why do all of these people take you seriously?....

Actually, I don't take him seriously. I'm just frustrated because I didn't get to go to the Tournament - trying to patiently reason with someone like this fits my mood!

To find out who he is, read his bio. I was amazed to find out he isn't an attorney!

JohnHenry

03-11-2003, 10:12 AM

I'm amazed to find out he made it past the 6th grade.

Name-calling on a bbs. Weak.

Case dismissed, Mandy. Please pay your fine and all court costs.

What a waste...

FeFiFoFum

03-11-2003, 05:07 PM

By the way, there was an article in today's University Daily Kansan (UDK), the student newspaper) about Coach Washington.
http://www.kansan.com/stories.asp?id=200303110011

OhMandy

03-11-2003, 11:02 PM

JH you're still an idiot. I bait you and you fall for it all the time. You're an idiot. Clueless worthless good for nothing idiot. MW is a loser coach and the only reason she's been kept so long is because she's black.

YCN

03-11-2003, 11:10 PM

OhMandy, you don't want to hear what I think. Maybe you'd better cool off before you post again. Flames, and I'm not saying you are the only one, are not the purpose of this board.

In fact, others in this thread need to chill out too.

dem

03-12-2003, 12:28 AM

Right.

FeFiFoFum

03-25-2003, 04:17 PM

Just an update, but Coach Washington will continue at KU next year. Story below:
http://www.kuathletics.com/womensbasketball/releases/03_18_03.html

"LAWRENCE, Kan. -- University of Kansas athletics director Dr. Allen Bohl announced today that KU women's basketball coach Marian Washington would be back for her 31st season as head coach of the Jayhawks.

"Coach Washington will return next season as head coach of our women's basketball team," said Bohl. "It's important that we recognize what Coach Washington has accomplished over her 30-year coaching career at KU. I have talked with Coach Washington and we have the same goals of wanting to see our program be a top level Big 12 Conference team."

"I have a great deal of respect for what Coach Washington has meant to women's basketball and at the same time I have an obligation to make decisions that are in the best interest of the University of Kansas," added Bohl. " I think we are at the point that we will make an evaluation on a year-by-year basis."

Washington guided KU to an 11-18 overall record last season, including a 3-13 mark in the Big 12 Conference. Overall, she has a 551-347 record in 30 seasons as head coach at Kansas. (3/18/03)