2020 Coaching Carousel

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm glad you brought this here MU82, I saw this the other night..Yes, it's women's basketball, but the first thing I thought of was hoping TAMU would see this because he always says "no school fires a Coach coming off an NCAA bid etc"(let alone one with her resume)..well...they do.

Men's basketball and women's basketball are very different animals. Give me examples from men's basketball where a non blue blood fired a coach coming off 2 consecutive NCAATs, cause I can only think of one in the past 20 years.

Also, my guess is that Aston's firing had zero to do with her performance on the court.

[MU82]

I'm glad you brought this here MU82, I saw this the other night..Yes, it's women's basketball, but the first thing I thought of was hoping TAMU would see this because he always says "no school fires a Coach coming off an NCAA bid etc"(let alone one with her resume)..well...they do.

I tend to agree with TAMU on Aston's firing likely having little to do with her record. Women's basketball does not get the press that men's basketball does, so it's less likely that other reasons will be made known. It's worth noting that Aston was allowed to get to the end of her contract -- something that just about never happens with a men's basketball coach, especially one coming off three straight 15-3 conference seasons. You're smart enough to know all of that.

But yes, there have been schools that have fired coaches that had made the NCAAs in consecutive years. They can be counted on one hand, but there have been a few in recent history.

Rick Barnes actually was one of those coaches fired by a non-blueblood despite going to consecutive NCAA tournaments -- and 16 in 17 years. It's working out superbly at Texas with his replacement, that's for sure.

[shoothoops]

Men's basketball and women's basketball are very different animals. Give me examples from men's basketball where a non blue blood fired a coach coming off 2 consecutive NCAATs, cause I can only think of one in the past 20 years.

Also, my guess is that Aston's firing had zero to do with her performance on the court.

The short answer is 95 miles. That is the distance between Waco and Austin. Aston's record vs Baylor in those 8 years? 1-18.

Baylor's record vs Texas prior to Kim Mulkey 9-47.

One elite 8, a handful of other Sweet 16's would be welcomed and even celebrated many other places. Zero Big 12 Titles, 32-47 vs Top 25 teams. Pushing 7 figures with incentives in her expiring deal.

At Baylor, Mulkey has made the NCAA's every year but one. Not counting this past season her 20th there, it was 18 of 19. That also includes the past 10 straight Big 12 Titles. 3 National Titles. One additional Final Four, 5 additional Elite 8's, 5 additional Sweet 16's.

[brewcity77]

Aston's record vs Baylor in those 8 years? 1-18.

So infinitely more successful than the entire AAC was against UConn?

[MU82]

The short answer is 95 miles. That is the distance between Waco and Austin. Aston's record vs Baylor in those 8 years? 1-18.

Baylor's record vs Texas prior to Kim Mulkey 9-47.

One elite 8, a handful of other Sweet 16's would be welcomed and even celebrated many other places. Zero Big 12 Titles, 32-47 vs Top 25 teams. Pushing 7 figures with incentives in her expiring deal.

At Baylor, Mulkey has made the NCAA's every year but one. Not counting this past season her 20th there, it was 18 of 19. That also includes the past 10 straight Big 12 Titles. 3 National Titles. One additional Final Four, 5 additional Elite 8's, 5 additional Sweet 16's.

So you think Aston was fired because she was not Mulkey and Texas was not Baylor?

Perhaps, but that's pretty tough.

If so, nobody can accuse of the Texas AD for settling for "mediocrity." As long as one doesn't count sticking with Shaka, of course.

[shoothoops]

So you think Aston was fired because she was not Mulkey and Texas was not Baylor?

Perhaps, but that's pretty tough.

If so, nobody can accuse of the Texas AD for settling for "mediocrity." As long as one doesn't count sticking with Shaka, of course.

It's a combination of things.

Shaka has 3 years left on his guaranteed contract that has been top 15 Nationally in terms of compensation.

Aston's close to 7 figure deal was expiring.

Texas paid more than $10 million to make Charlie Strong go away in football and it wasn't likely going to do that for hoops.

Shaka just completed his 5th season so there is obviously chatter about his status at this point.

Texas Women's Hoops used to be a thing. From 1985-1997 they had an undefeated season, National Title, top 5 women's hoops attendance. (Now they get less than both Baylor and Texas A&M. A lot has changed at Texas and in Austin since that time.

[dad's couch]

Last July, the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2018 class rankings, Sedona Prince, a 6-7 post from Liberty Hill in the Austin area, transferred to Oregon after sitting out her freshman year recovering from a broken leg, citing "medical reasons."

She later told the "Pour Your Heart Out" podcast that she felt "neglected" during her recovery.

"I felt very alone through my entire process and I felt very unsafe to the point to where I couldn't -- for my career and my body that I'm going to have the rest of my life -- I couldn't stay," she said. "I couldn't be there and allow myself to be hurt anymore, allow myself to be neglected anymore. That's when I decided to transfer."

The Longhorns' 2017 recruiting class featured three ESPN 100 recruits who all transferred prior to their junior seasons: Rellah Boothe, ranked as the country's No. 1 forward; Chasity Patterson, considered the No. 1 guard; and Destiny Littleton, the No. 10 guard.

[MU82]

Last July, the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2018 class rankings, Sedona Prince, a 6-7 post from Liberty Hill in the Austin area, transferred to Oregon after sitting out her freshman year recovering from a broken leg, citing "medical reasons."

She later told the "Pour Your Heart Out" podcast that she felt "neglected" during her recovery.

"I felt very alone through my entire process and I felt very unsafe to the point to where I couldn't -- for my career and my body that I'm going to have the rest of my life -- I couldn't stay," she said. "I couldn't be there and allow myself to be hurt anymore, allow myself to be neglected anymore. That's when I decided to transfer."

The Longhorns' 2017 recruiting class featured three ESPN 100 recruits who all transferred prior to their junior seasons: Rellah Boothe, ranked as the country's No. 1 forward; Chasity Patterson, considered the No. 1 guard; and Destiny Littleton, the No. 10 guard.

Good stuff. Thanks for posting this insight.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Vic Schaefer is the new women's basketball coach at Texas, after spending the past eight seasons building a powerhouse at Mississippi State.

[shoothoops]

Vic Schaefer is the new women's basketball coach at Texas, after spending the past eight seasons building a powerhouse at Mississippi State.

Two National Title games and an Elite 8 in the past three NCAA's. Big success there.

He also happens to have been an assistant at Texas A&M during their 2011 National Title run...which includes a win over Baylor along the way. As a head coach at Mississippi St., his Bulldogs knocked Baylor out of the Elite 8 in 2017.

Houston native, Texas A&M grad. assistant at Arkansas and A&M. He had just one winning season in seven as a very young Sam Houston State head coach.

He made $1.6 million at Mississippi St. and is rumored to be getting $2 million per year at Texas.

New Arena opens 2021. They are gonna take their shot at Baylor and the women's college hoops elite.

[JWags85]

Two National Title games and an Elite 8 in the past three NCAA's. Big success there.

He also happens to have been an assistant at Texas A&M during their 2011 National Title run...which includes a win over Baylor along the way. As a head coach at Mississippi St., his Bulldogs knocked Baylor out of the Elite 8 in 2017.

Houston native, Texas A&M grad. assistant at Arkansas and A&M. He had just one winning season in seven as a very young Sam Houston State head coach.

He made $1.6 million at Mississippi St. and is rumored to be getting $2 million per year at Texas.

New Arena opens 2021. They are gonna take their shot at Baylor and the women's college hoops elite.

Tremendous hire. MSU had little WBB history to speak of, one decent year a decade ago with their previous coach.

[MU82]

Two National Title games and an Elite 8 in the past three NCAA's. Big success there.

He also happens to have been an assistant at Texas A&M during their 2011 National Title run...which includes a win over Baylor along the way. As a head coach at Mississippi St., his Bulldogs knocked Baylor out of the Elite 8 in 2017.

Houston native, Texas A&M grad. assistant at Arkansas and A&M. He had just one winning season in seven as a very young Sam Houston State head coach.

He made $1.6 million at Mississippi St. and is rumored to be getting $2 million per year at Texas.

New Arena opens 2021. They are gonna take their shot at Baylor and the women's college hoops elite.

Well then ... dumping the other coach now makes a lot of sense.

Why can't Marquette dump Wojo and hire a coach who has been to two national title games and an Elite 8 in the last 3 NCAAs? Why settle for mediocrity?

[shoothoops]

Well then ... dumping the other coach now makes a lot of sense.

Why can't Marquette dump Wojo and hire a coach who has been to two national title games and an Elite 8 in the last 3 NCAAs? Why settle for mediocrity?

For perspective, Scott Merritt left MU to be an assistant at Illinois. The salary of the departing assistant was $250k, and the head coach is on a $3.3 million deal over six years, not uncluding perks and incentives. The head coach MU's Carolyn Kieger replaced at Penn St. was making $3.5 million over five years, not including perks and incentives. Both of these have been struggling Big Ten, Power 5, programs.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Well then ... dumping the other coach now makes a lot of sense.

Why can't Marquette dump Wojo and hire a coach who has been to two national title games and an Elite 8 in the last 3 NCAAs? Why settle for mediocrity?

Why'd you give guru your password?

[Elonsmusk]

Two National Title games and an Elite 8 in the past three NCAA's. Big success there.

He also happens to have been an assistant at Texas A&M during their 2011 National Title run...which includes a win over Baylor along the way. As a head coach at Mississippi St., his Bulldogs knocked Baylor out of the Elite 8 in 2017.

Houston native, Texas A&M grad. assistant at Arkansas and A&M. He had just one winning season in seven as a very young Sam Houston State head coach.

He made $1.6 million at Mississippi St. and is rumored to be getting $2 million per year at Texas.

New Arena opens 2021. They are gonna take their shot at Baylor and the women's college hoops elite.

Wow.  $2M for a head coach in NCAAW Basketball?  Wonder how much revenue our women's team generates for the University.  Anyone have any context?

Men's Head Coaching salaries soon will be $4M/season for a decent coach.  Wonder how basketball only schools will be able to continue to compete.

[Dawson Rental]

Well then ... dumping the other coach now makes a lot of sense.

Why can't Marquette dump Wojo and hire a coach who has been to two national title games and an Elite 8 in the last 3 NCAAs? Why settle for mediocrity?

You're right, we settled for the wrong Dookie.

😁

[shoothoops]

Wow.  $2M for a head coach in NCAAW Basketball?  Wonder how much revenue our women's team generates for the University.  Anyone have any context?

Men's Head Coaching salaries soon will be $4M/season for a decent coach.  Wonder how basketball only schools will be able to continue to compete.

And UConn and Geno Auriemma will be re-joining the Big East. He is finishing up a 5 year $13 million deal not counting perks and incentives that pushed it towards $3 million. He has also been able to keep long term various assistants over the years because of the high assistant pay of a top program. 

[MU82]

Why'd you give guru your password?

Why'd you lose your ability to see sarcasm?

[Billy Hoyle]

For perspective, Scott Merritt left MU to be an assistant at Illinois. The salary of the departing assistant was $250k, and the head coach is on a $3.3 million deal over six years, not uncluding perks and incentives. The head coach MU's Carolyn Kieger replaced at Penn St. was making $3.5 million not including perks and incentives. Both of these have been struggling Big Ten, Power 5, programs.

Football and TV money right there.

[asdfasdf]

Football and TV money right there.

Yeah. This numbers are pretty shocking. The wbb head coach at Penn State made more than Wojo? That is surprising.

[Billy Hoyle]

Yeah. This numbers are pretty shocking. The wbb head coach at Penn State made more than Wojo? That is surprising.

They have to show some equity with men's sports, so WBB is ideal to keep up with what Franklin is making for football.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Why'd you lose your ability to see sarcasm?

Same question to you, pardner.

[MU82]

Same question to you, pardner.

Ah ... the ol' double-sarcasm switcheroo. Well, you got me!

[MUDPT]

Jordan Sperber's excellent newsletter last week. Coaches that have exceeded their pre season KenPom efficiency margin every year:

Other coaches who have outperformed preseason expectations in every season:

Chris Holtmann (8-for-8)
Pat Kelsey (8-for-8)
Craig Smith (6-for-6)
Mark Pope (5-for-5)
Steve Forbes (5-for-5)
Grant McCasland (4-for-4)
Heath Schroyer (4-for-4)

[Goatherder]

Last July, the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2018 class rankings, Sedona Prince, a 6-7 post from Liberty Hill in the Austin area, transferred to Oregon after sitting out her freshman year recovering from a broken leg, citing "medical reasons."

She later told the "Pour Your Heart Out" podcast that she felt "neglected" during her recovery.

"I felt very alone through my entire process and I felt very unsafe to the point to where I couldn't -- for my career and my body that I'm going to have the rest of my life -- I couldn't stay," she said. "I couldn't be there and allow myself to be hurt anymore, allow myself to be neglected anymore. That's when I decided to transfer."

The Longhorns' 2017 recruiting class featured three ESPN 100 recruits who all transferred prior to their junior seasons: Rellah Boothe, ranked as the country's No. 1 forward; Chasity Patterson, considered the No. 1 guard; and Destiny Littleton, the No. 10 guard.

If God had wanted Texans to ski, He would have made bullshit white.  Look, this is Texas we are talking about.  Logic does not necessarily have anything to do with it.  As noted, Aston had a great recruiting class with three top-100 players and lost them all.  And she lost this one.  The other side of it is that her remaining players could not stop talking about how great she was. 

Aston's predecessor was a coach who had reached the Final Four at Duke, another place with kind of high expectations, and she got burned out and quit.  Aston was a longtime assistant to the legendary coach that built the Texas program and lead it to the Final Four.  That of course was before Baylor became one of the top programs in the nation.  Reportedly, Aston's former boss and the AD who hired her who was still in charge of the women's program were constantly on her back and she was relieved to be relieved.  She was not coming back anyway. 

When Pat Summitt was the queen of college basketball, the other schools in the SEC all got better competing with UT, and they did not all fire their coaches because they could not regularly beat them.  Similarly, even when the Big East was the strongest conference out there and put three teams in the final four, schools were not firing their coaches because they could not consistently beat Auriemma and UConn.  But those conferences did not include Texas - and at least the Big East ones all have snow.