Next coach at OSU? (KSU/OU fans, attn!)

[Daddo]

Many folks "in the know" at Stillwater say this will be the final season for Dick Halterman. The Cowgirls were one of the top Big 8 teams some time ago, but it's been a while since OSU had much to talk about in women's hoops.
Possible replacement discussion centers around two candidates, Bo Overton of Oklahoma and Kamie Ethridge of Kansas State. Overton's from Oklahoma and would seem to have an edge in in-state recruiting, but Ethridge's resume looks really impressive and she seems ready to be a head coach.
KSU and OU fans, what do you think?
Here's hoping the big changes needed at Stillwater get addressed, and they involve a lot more than just hiring a new coach, because Halterman's not a bad coach. If the school will start treating the sport and it's athletes with the respect they deserve they can do big things with the Cowgirls program and start drawing some fans.

[schooner2]

Nothing new here. This is exactly what has been said two years ago and last year. Wonder if/when it will ever happen. The only other name I've seen thrown out there is Rippitoe-Blair - former OSU assistant.

I don't understand the OU to OSU move by Overton. He's a former Sooner player and now an OU coach. Just really wierd to move to your archrival to coach. Although it has happened in football believe it or not.

[Jennifer]

I just posted an Oklahoman article to the front page discussing Halterman and his future.

His contract expires after this season. One of the points the article makes is that their is talent at OSU. I agree, but why can't they put all that together in a game? Look at Kara Faulk for example--her career has turned out much different that her HS teammate and friend Mandy Nightingale at CU, but I think she had greater accolades 4 years ago. It it coaching, failing to develop talent, or bad team chemistry? One thing I've noticed is that since Jennifer Crow graduated, OSU has seemed to have had horrible team shooting. It's hard to win when you consistantly shoot below 40%. ANyhow, it'll be interesting to see what happens.

I don't see Bo Overton moving north to coach OSU. That would be to weird.

[swok34]

I'm for Ripptoe-Blair......I think she should have been offered the helms 2 years ago before she departed for Texas-San Antonio.

I question the support the administration gives to women's basketball if they don't go looking for a new coach for next season.......really believe they've ridden the men's basketball team as far as they can........seems they are more interested in getting their football program on track.....but then, who's not? that's the money maker, especially in the Big 12. I heard the Kansas AD make the same comment about their football program. I know OSU's softball coach retired after last season.

Sure would hate to see Bo Overton go.....I'm not positive, but I think he is an awesome recruiter and OU's defense improved tremendously when he came in.

[schooner2]

Originally posted by Jennifer:
One of the points the article makes is that their is talent at OSU. I agree, but why can't they put all that together in a game?

Okay, there's talent. But it's all relative. You have to have more talent than your opponents. OSU has more talent than whom? Not CU, ISU, or KSU. Not OU, BU, UT, or TTU. Basically they don't have as much talent as the Top 7 in conference. Once you get to NU, MU, and TAMU - then the talent becomes much more equal.

Halterman simply has not recruited as well as the Top 7 in conference. I don't doubt his Xs and Os. The guy can coach and always seems to perform a bit better than I think they will. If he could of surrounded himself with a couple hotshot recruiters - then maybe they could get back into the upper division.

[Daddo]

Rippetoe-Blair slipped my mind, you know that's not a bad idea. She has been a head coach (Phillips University, an NAIA school that sadly closed a couple of years back) and was pretty successful. I think Halterman might be more willing to move aside if he knew she was coming on board.
Folks on the OSU board are talking about other jobs in the conference opening up...they're saying KU, but I'd think that one is Washington's unless SHE decides to step down, she'd be hard to move. Nebraska's a better bet.
As for support of football, a strong football team can help create the revenue to support the other teams. KU's having trouble throughout their athletic program, plenty of it (Men's hoops being the obvious exception) and that's not likely to change unless they get a football program worth writing home about. OSU is one of the rare schools that's very good in several "minor" sports and not very successful in football.

[Jennifer]

Phillips says he'll recommend
Halterman's contract not be
extended

2002-02-12
By The Associated Press


STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State Athletic
Director Terry Don Phillips said Tuesday he will
recommend the contract of women's basketball
coach Dick Halterman not be extended past this
season.

"We recognize the longevity and the
contributions coach Halterman has made to the
Cowgirl basketball program," Phillips said. "We
believe, however, that we need to take a different
direction with the program."

Halterman is in his 19th season at Oklahoma
State.

He has a 328-231 overall record and has
guided the Cowgirls to an 11-13 mark this
season.

[Daddo]

Well, that's probably what's best but it's still a sad thing. Hope he lands on his feet, and that better days are in store for Cowgirl hoops.

Originally posted by Jennifer:


Phillips says he'll recommend
Halterman's contract not be
extended

2002-02-12
By The Associated Press


STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State Athletic
Director Terry Don Phillips said Tuesday he will
recommend the contract of women's basketball
coach Dick Halterman not be extended past this
season.

"We recognize the longevity and the
contributions coach Halterman has made to the
Cowgirl basketball program," Phillips said. "We
believe, however, that we need to take a different
direction with the program."

Halterman is in his 19th season at Oklahoma
State.

He has a 328-231 overall record and has
guided the Cowgirls to an 11-13 mark this
season.

[Jennifer]

From the Daily Oklahoman:

"Already, there is speculation on Halterman's replacement.

Among those rumored to be interested: Oklahoma assistant Bo Overton; Louisiana Tech assistant and former Cameron head coach Stacy Johnson; and Kansas State assistant and former Texas star Kamie Ethridge, reportedly a top recruiter who has played a key role in the Wildcats' rise to national prominence. "

[schooner2]

Originally posted by Jennifer:
From the Daily Oklahoman:

"Already, there is speculation on Halterman's replacement.

Among those rumored to be interested: Oklahoma assistant Bo Overton; Louisiana Tech assistant and former Cameron head coach Stacy Johnson; and Kansas State assistant and former Texas star Kamie Ethridge, reportedly a top recruiter who has played a key role in the Wildcats' rise to national prominence. "



I believe Stacy Johnson was a former OU assistant under Burl Plunket. OSU, I think, would be very smart to hire Ethridge. Heard great things about her. Always thought though that she might be headed back to Texas one day.

[carolann]

If OSU wants Kamie Etheridge, I think the school is going to have to provide the institutional support she needs to succeed. Surely Etheridge is to smart to accept the job otherwise. I've read things on boards such as this one that indicate OSU has not given that type of support to the cowgirls program in recent years. Kim Mulkey-Robertson turned down La-Tech and went to Baylor because Baylor gave her what she wanted. IMO, Etheridge should also be able to ask for what she wants/needs.

[swok34]

Reading the article on the front page that someone posted about Title 9 and Oklahoma State.......I question if they are really ready to give the support and money they need to put behind their women's programs.......

one example, both OU and OSU share articles in the Oklahoma City paper, the Daily Oklahoman. I think I have seen an ad for the OU Women's game before each home game.....and have yet to see a OSU one........OU has billboards up all over Oklahoma City and has had since preseason........

At the last Big XII Coaches Media Day....Dick Halterman got "no" calls.

[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 02-13-2002).]

[Jennifer]

Originally posted by swok34:
one example, both OU and OSU share articles in the Oklahoma City paper, the Daily Oklahoman. I think I have seen an ad for the OU Women's game before each home game.....and have yet to see a OSU one........OU has billboards up all over Oklahoma City and has had since preseason........

At the last Big XII Coaches Media Day....Dick Halterman got "no" calls.[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 02-13-2002).]

But, did OU have the ads and such before Coale came and even in her first year or two, before OU started winning? When did the billboards happen? My point is, most of OU's fan support and marketing came after they became successful. I think the same is probably true for KSU. It's just hard to get new fan support for a losing team.

As for support from the university itself...I can't speak for that.

If OSU can bring a good coach in, nail some top recruits, and win some big games, the fans will start coming. There's not much else to do in Stillwater (I had to live there for 2 years, I know!)

Halterman had some really good years in the late 80's and early 90's--Liz Brown, Shelly Blessing, Stacy Coffey, Renee Roberts, etc. but the latter 90's and now have been pretty bleak.

[Daddo]

Still a lot of problems, there. I'm an OSU fan (grew up in Edmond) and saw a lot of people praising that awful article from the O'Colly. Now, it's a student newspaper and due some slack, but there was some, pardon my french, crappy fact checking done in that story. And given the fact that in several catagories Oklahoma State ranks dead last in the Big XII (Women's coaches vs. mens, percentage of recruitment spending, ect) the claim that women's sports and Title IX are to blame for OSU's athletic dept. woes are right off the stable floor.
Fans aren't helping much, either. The subject of a new women's coach has drawn some serious discussion (the coach at OCU is an NAIA powerhouse, and has drawn a lot of interest) some "who cares," a lot of "What does she look like" with various job candidates and a post today questioning the character of a candidate (the LA Tech coach, I think) who has a child but isn't married, according to their website bio. I don't recall that coming up in discussion of men coaches, mind you. Not a real strong suit in Oklahoma State athletics, but every school has had to get past these type of issues, some have come along further, faster than others. Just that much MORE reason to appreciate the fans in places like Lubbock and Ames that ARE supporting these deserving athletes.

Originally posted by swok34:
Reading the article on the front page that someone posted about Title 9 and Oklahoma State.......I question if they are really ready to give the support and money they need to put behind their women's programs.......

one example, both OU and OSU share articles in the Oklahoma City paper, the Daily Oklahoman. I think I have seen an ad for the OU Women's game before each home game.....and have yet to see a OSU one........OU has billboards up all over Oklahoma City and has had since preseason........

At the last Big XII Coaches Media Day....Dick Halterman got "no" calls.

[This message has been edited by swok34 (edited 02-13-2002).]

[schooner2]

Originally posted by Daddo:

Fans aren't helping much, either. The subject of a new women's coach has drawn some serious discussion (the coach at OCU is an NAIA powerhouse, and has drawn a lot of interest) some "who cares," a lot of "What does she look like" with various job candidates and a post today questioning the character of a candidate (the LA Tech coach, I think) who has a child but isn't married, according to their website bio.

Hmmmm. Well, I know she was engaged and I do think was married before leaving the Oklahoma program. Anyhow - who cares. No need to speculate on people's personal lives.

[neve]

Here is a link to Johnson's profile:
http://www.latechsports.com/ladytechsters-johnsonbio.html

She is divorced and is engaged to be married early summer. Her fiance' lives somewhere in Oklahoma. Fairly close to OSU, I believe.

[swok34]

this makes sense that they would go after Johnson.....

I was reading on the O State board about the "good-looking" coach comments......

I'm so glad I'm a SOONER!!!!Where do OSU's priorities lie????

[AirLonghorn]

Originally posted by Jennifer:

I vote for "Rippetoe-Blair." Boy, could I have fun with that name, and I love those hyphenated-transcendental last names!


Phillips says he'll recommend
Halterman's contract not be
extended

2002-02-12
By The Associated Press


STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State Athletic
Director Terry Don Phillips said Tuesday he will
recommend the contract of women's basketball
coach Dick Halterman not be extended past this
season.

"We recognize the longevity and the
contributions coach Halterman has made to the
Cowgirl basketball program," Phillips said. "We
believe, however, that we need to take a different
direction with the program."

Halterman is in his 19th season at Oklahoma
State.

He has a 328-231 overall record and has
guided the Cowgirls to an 11-13 mark this
season.

[PLaythegame23]

Here is a name for you, Karen Aston at Texas. She is doing a great job at Texas and the staff was fun to watch at the OU- Texas game in Austin. She would be good. I think Karen Aston, Fred Appin and Kathy Harston are ready to be head coaches.I have watched several games at OU this year. I would rank that staff with the best. I would hate to see my Man "Bo" leave OU.I think we have some good asst coaches in the Big 12. What do you think?

[swok34]

It actually wouldn't surprise me a bit if Karen Aston took over the Texas program when Jody retires.......I've heard she's a great recruiter. Her parents told me that http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif think they are biased? They were really nice, I met them at the Big 12 Tourney a couple of years ago.

Bo Overton came from Louisiana Tech as an assistant coach of the men's team. Someone told me that they don't see Bo taking a head coaching job in the women's ranks, men maybe, but not women.
Plus, Bo played basketball at Oklahoma......I sure hope we don't lose him, I think he is Oklahoma's recruiting brain.