Drake hires new women's basketball coach.

[Cyclones Rule]

This is the Link http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1241131&nav=25nPFLET

Drake University will announce Amy Stephens as its new women's basketball coach at a press conference Monday. Stephens has spent the last season as an assistant at the University of Nebraska under Connie Yori. Prior to that, Stephens saw a great deal of success as a head coach at division two, Nebraska-Kearney. Earlier in her career, she was an assistant at Iowa State.
Maryland assistant Marsha Frese-Elliott was the other finalist.

[ChipperF1]

Say it ain't so...

Goodbye Amy, and thanks for all the fish http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

We'll miss you. Godspeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drake, you have a good one.

[dem]

Article in Des Moines Register:
http://DesMoinesRegister.com/sports/stories/c6902885/21057394.html

Excerpt:

Former Iowa State guard Tara Gunderson, who played for Stephens in
1993-94, gave Stephens high marks.

"I really enjoyed playing under Amy," Gunderson said. "She's a great,
great person, a friendly personality. I thought she brought a lot to our
program that year.

"I could tell as a competitor that she was really determined. She really
pushed us, and was very positive at the same time. I'm excited for her. I
think she'll do a great job there."

[mred]

One thing that just occurred to me: this will really help Drake recruit kids in Nebraska.

[ChipperF1]

"One thing that just occurred to me: this will really help Drake recruit kids in Nebraska.

Great mred, kick us when we're down http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

Like Drake needs anymore help poaching the Cornhusker State, especially metro Omaha?

[Skerfan]

Hey Husker fans -- let's look at the bright side. Hmmmmmmmm! Let's see, is there one?

Good luck Coach. We will miss you!

[Jimi]

Originally posted by ChipperF1:
Goodbye Amy, and thanks for all the fish http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

Hmmm. What do we have here? It looks like evidence of another Douglas Adams fan. If so that could explain a lot about both of our ways of looking at things. What say you intergalactic traveler?

My daughter started bring home Douglas Adams books and its been a down hill slide into weirdness for me ever since. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

[unkiemark]

Appears to be a great hire for Drake. it seems logical given her history that she will stay longer than three seasons. Drake fans and players should be very happy.



------------------
MarkW

[dem]

Excerpt from the Des Moines Register article:

Stephens is the third former Iowa State assistant coach to become a
Missouri Valley Conference coach within the past year. Katie
Abrahamson-Henderson was hired by Southwest Missouri State last
year, and Robin Pingeton became Illinois State's coach earlier this
month.

[ChipperF1]

Direct quote from Amy...

"They have a strong program and that's what made this situation so attractive," Stephens said. "It's a lot easier trying to maintain a strong program than trying to rebuild one."

Hmmm, Amy, are you sending us Husker fans a message?

Pass the ripple, its gonna be a looooooooong season.

[Row6Seat10]

I see where former Husker Kate Galligan has resigned as assistant coach from Texas Pan-American. Could a job be awaiting her at Drake?

She was Amy Stephens' assistant at Nebraska-Kearney for a few years before she went on to the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant under Tracy Waites. And then to Texas Pan-America. Time will tell where she ends up.

[NorthForty]

I have heard that Coach Stephens has hired Jon Will, former assistant at UNK, and Linda Lappe, yes that Linda Lappe

[BeBe]

I know that Linda was pursuing coaching opportunites. She was in her fifth year (having red-shirted the year she broke her knee-cap) and I believe had already graduated in December. A couple weeks ago (at the banquet perhaps??) Coach Barry had commented that Linda was quite close to an agreemnt to take a coaching position. Drake would be a good fit, geographically. She is from Morning Sun, Iowa, so that would put her about 150 miles from home.

I suspect Linda will do very well as a coach. She is a very intelligent person, has really good basketball savvy and played all positions except the 5 (perhaps not the 4 but I suspect she was there at least once)at one time or another at CU. After her injuries she never quite got back to the level she and the fans had expected to see from her but there was no player with more heart and commitment out on the court.