Vandy coaching search

[KSUron]

Word is that Vanderbilt has a press conference set for tomorrow to announce the new coach. No one really knows who it will be but some speculation is that its Tom Collen from Colorado State. All parties are keeping mum however.

It seems their AD Todd Turner had no interest in Cheryl Burnett. With her KU connections it makes you wonder if it was next year, KU? She did interview at Minnesota this weekend. It snowed up there! I'll bet that was a shock to her system.

[swok34]

Wouldn't you all think that if anyone is being groomed for head coach at Kansas, it is Lynette Woodard?....that's kind of what I've always thought. They also have Pam Decosta at Kansas, though I notice from her bio that she's from Colorado......
for anyone who doesn't know, Pam Decosta is the recruiter who stumbled onto Stacey Dales when she was still an assistant at OU.

I thought I had heard it rumored that Burnett was taking the Minnesota job.

[KSUron]

I don't know the status of the Minnesota search at this point. I did not have the sense that it was a done deal at the time I made the post above. I did check the Vandymania board and they have a PROBLEM. It seems CSU coach Tom Collen has claimed to have two masters degrees and one is BOGUS. Yikes!!! Why would you do that. Heck who cares if he has one masters let alone two. The lack of an extra masters is no problem but the misrepresentation, if true, is a major problem. It looks like his chances at Vanderbilt are gone and one would have to wonder how this will affect him at CSU.

Having met KU AD Al Bohl, I am not convinced that he will be loyal to anyone, on staff or with past KU connections. I would bet he would go for WINS and in that regard I think Burnett would be a strong choice. I saw it from the other side, that Burnett might be interested in comming back to KU. Just an idle thought though. I can't imagine her being on the outside looking in too long. Maybe Chipper needs a candidate? Then again with Collen messed up maybe Todd Turner at Vandy will reconsider his attitude toward Burnett? Or maybe she is already the new coach at Minnesota? I haven't checked since I got home.

Cheers!

[ChipperF1]

Hey Purple Haze! Welcome back.

From what I'm hearing Collen is still the guy at Vanderbilt. As for a future candidate to take the Nebraska job? that'll be decided sometime next year. The Fat Man will coach the 2002-2003 season, after that, we'll look at options.

I'd love Burnett, but I think given all the college things going on, I wouldn't be surprised to see her decide on the WNBA

[Roger B. Rowland]

Tom Collen name Vandy Coach

Released May 1, 2002 at 9:52 am by Colorado State University
Director of Athletics Jeffrey Hathaway Sets Course For Coaching Search

Fort Collins, Colo. " Colorado State University Director of Athletics Jeffrey Hathaway said today that a national search to replace women's basketball coach Tom Collen will begin immediately."

Collen was named head coach at Vanderbilt University Monday following five seasons in Fort Collins, where he compiled a 129-33 record. Collen, whose wife Nicki was an assistant coach for the team, led the Rams to four NCAA Tournament appearances, one postseason NIT bid, and a preseason WNIT championship, in 1998-99. The 1998-99 team, led by All-American and current WNBA standout Becky Hammon, finished with a 33-3 record and advanced to the regional semifinals.

"On behalf of Colorado State University, I want to thank Tom and Nicki for their hard work and dedication to the women's basketball program. Colorado State"s program is recognized as one of the finest in the nation, thanks in part to Tom"s hard work and dedication," said Hathaway. "He and his staff have worked diligently to provide a quality experience for our student-athletes. Everyone associated with ourprogram wishes Tom and Nicki the best of luck in their new opportunity at Vanderbilt University."

"Because of the success that we have enjoyed, we were aware there was always the possibility that he would leave this program. In the past few weeks, we granted permission to four other prominent institutions to speak with him, including Vanderbilt. It is a tribute to the success of the program at Colorado State that other nationally-prominent programs would be interested in him."

"Our focus is squarely on the success and growth of our women"s
basketball program. We plan to move as quickly as possible, but with utmost care and efficiency. Through a thorough national search process, we will find an individual committed to the continued growth and success of our program and the student-athletes both academically and athletically."

Colorado State has earned a reputation as one of the top programs in the nation. The Rams have appeared in the NCAA Tournament four times in the past five seasons under Collen"s guidance, and five times in seven seasons overall including the first-ever invitation by then-coach Greg Williams in 1996. Williams is now the head coach of the Detroit Shock of the WNBA.

The Rams" next coach inherits a team that lost but one senior, MVP and first-team all-conference performer Angie Gorton. Colorado State finished 24-7 last season and won the regular-season MWC championship. The Rams were ranked among the top 25 throughout the season and at one point climbed as high as 15th.

Nine of the team"s top scorers and rebounders from 2001-02 return next season, including Ashley Augspurger, who led the Rams" in scoring in 2001 and was a first-team all-league and academic all-conference selection.

"We have a tremendous group of players who have shown a commitment to succeed both on the playing floor and in the classroom as student-athletes," said Hathaway.

Rams" women's basketball continues to be popular on campus and in the community. Colorado State finished last season with a 15-1 home record including a win over defending national champion Notre Dame and a third consecutive win over in-state rival Colorado. During the past five seasons, home attendance has risen 65 percent.


Statement From Women"s Basketball Coach Tom Collen

Tom Collen, Colorado State University's women's basketball coach the past five seasons, issued the following statement after having been named the new head at Vanderbilt University:

"I'm excited about having the opportunity to become head coach at
Vanderbilt University. The most important factor for myself and (wife) Nicki is that it enables us to be closer to our families. That was the focal point of the decision."

"It was not an easy decision. The friendships and loyalties that we have developed at Colorado State the past five years will remain in our hearts forever."

"Five years ago, Dr. Albert Yates gave me the opportunity of a
lifetime. I will never be able to thank him enough for that
opportunity. The growth and success that we have enjoyed in women's basketball leads directly back to him, as well as the support of the entire athletic department at Colorado State."

"I'm proud of everything we've been able to accomplish at Colorado State and will remain the number one fan of the Rams throughout my career."

"The great academic and athletic balance that exists at Colorado State University has prepared me for what I consider to be the best women's basketball coaching job in the country. For the past several weeks, I had been working with Jeff Hathaway about a contract extension. We were both on the same page about the future and the direction of the women's basketball program at Colorado State. Vanderbilt is probably the only job that I would have tempted me to leave Colorado State and Fort Collins."

"I have no doubt that the team next season has the potential to be the best in the history of the school."

"The hardest thing for me is I now I'm leaving behind a group of young ladies who are perfect role models in the classroom and on the court. In walking away, I feel like I'm leaving a part of my family behind, a group of young ladies that I'd be proud to have as my daughters."

[Roger B. Rowland]

I'm not sure that Vandy got the best end of this deal. Collen may well struggle in the SEC.

[KSUron]

Yup! You are correct about Tom Collen Chipper "Red Eye". Word is he will be announced as the new head coach at Vanderbilt at a 2pm eastern press conference. What ever degree of truth there is to the resume story reported on Nashville channel five, he is "da man". Maybe the story was bogus and not the degree. It could be that the degree was just listed on the CSU website and not on anything he submitted to Vandy. Whatever, it is now a "done deal".

If I have to be serious I can't imagine Burnett being available very long. I was just "pulling your chain" and of course you knew that. I could see Burnett as a WNBA coach if she could get the control she would want.

I don't know about you and me but Purple and Red are both great!

Go Big 12!

[This message has been edited by KSUron (edited 05-01-2002).]

[KSUron]

Thanks for the info Roger. I don't know how he will do in the SEC but he has a good track record at CSU. I've heard some say that his wife Nicki is as good as he is, and of course she will be on his staff at Vandy as an assistant. He will have more challenges in the SEC but he will also have more assets. I won't bet against him.

[Roger B. Rowland]

"I've heard some say that his wife Nicki is as good as he is, and of course she will be on his staff at Vandy as an assistant."

I have no doubt it was a package deal. I am not a huge Tom Collen fan. I believe the Colorado State program was truly built by Greg Williams (Detroit Shock) with the talent's of Becky Hammon and Katie Cronin. After Hammon and Cronin graduated, Collen never got beyond the second round of the NCAA tournament.