15 years or so? That's a good run. She'll land on her feet, don't you think?

I hope they fire her mid-season. She shouldn't have stayed around this long.

aggie volleyball definitely needs a new look

I'm surprised there hasn't been regime change yet. It's arguably the worst performing sport in the athletic department the past 2-3 years. At least football got to the postseason.

[This message has been edited by W (edited 9/1/2008 8:22p).]

When half the football teams in DI are in bowl games that doesn't mean much. Unlike some of the other programs at A&M we have not invested in facilities, etc. for volleyball. I am sure that will change when he hires a new coach at a dramatically higher salary.

Volleyball has its own facility that seats 7,000-8,000 people...most schools would kill for that...what would you propose we do to upgrade our facility?

^
but that facility is old, old old

They'd move them to Reed Arena LONG before building a volleyball-specific facility...that said, I think what we have is unique, works well and makes it the easiest sport to draw students to (short of Kyle) because its the closest to the center of campus as well as some of the busiest areas of campus

I thought Bill Byrne's mantra has been, success is rewarded with improvements. I don't think the facilities are the root of the problem. It is Corbelli and the all offense "strategy", we need to recruit defensive players. It is sad this team looks like it will not impress again this season.

I'm sure G Rollie could use a bit of a facelift, but overall very few schools have a volleyball-specific gym, which we have. The arena itself is actually considered pretty nice and we were lucky enough to host a NCAA regional in our gym a few years back. Unfortunately, the state of our program right now means we won't be seeing anymore of those anytime soon and I agree with most other posters that we are in desparate need of a new coach. I really thought she would have been out the door last year after missing the NCAAs again, but that obviously didn't happen. As far as salaries go, she is already making quite a bit of money, especially when you factor in her husband's salary (associate head coach) and volleyball so far hasn't really become one of the high-paying jobs as far as collegiate athletics go.

The court itself is not the issue as much as the other amenities i.e. locker room, player's lounge, etc. As to only putting money in to a program once it has success, if you advocate this you doom the coaches that were here already. Teams like Nebraska and Texas are not standing still with improvements for their programs nor are the waiting until they hire a new coach before making improvements. I am not advocating keeping or firing her but I do think we should do everything to help all of our programs and to not wait until a new coach is brought in. That does a disservice to the current players and coaches who represent A&M.

my first volleyball post in a while.

in addition to watching games on tv i have been to a few of the facilities of the nationally ranked programs both here and in california. in terms of seating availability and sight lines we have one of the best places to watch a volleyball match in the country.

the problems at Rollie aren't about the state of the building but the state of the product inside the building. there are some talented girls on the team, great students and great Aggies. but the program itself lost its way years ago.

She is wearing a bagel after three losses on opening weekend.

The program has declined significantly in recent years, with the last winning season in 2004, a Big12 South cellar-dwelling performance in 2006, and absences from the NCAA tourney in 2006 and 2007.

BB has traded her short leash for a choke chain, and she will likely be gone after this season. He does not like the increasing frequency of people commenting that "Building Champions" apparently does not apply to volleyball.

He does not like the increasing frequency of people commenting that "Building Champions" apparently does not apply to most of our sports.

FIFY

Harry,

You let a bad loss in football turn you into a half-wit.

Are you disappointed with baseball, softball, soccer, track, swimming, golf, and basketball?

Tennis, volleyball, and football are struggling, sure. But football is the only abomination, and Byrne did something about it, didn't he?

We just had our best finish ever in the Director's Cup and won the Lone Star Showdown for the first time. How you can say BB isn't working on "Building Champions" in most sports is beyond me.

That being said, it's painfully obvious that a change needs to be made in VB. The Corbelli's have been great for the program, and I will be sad to see them go. But the time has come to move in another direction.

The program has needed a change in direction for 3-4 years now. The current administration is not able to promote the program and University in a manner that gets the best players interested in A&M. Middle of the Big XII pack should not be acceptable if we are "Building Champions".

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but that facility is old, old old

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Old yes, but definitely awesome

i agree that she should be dismissed. she has not won a single championship over her 14+ years here.

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That being said, it's painfully obvious that a change needs to be made in VB. The Corbelli's have been great for the program, and I will be sad to see them go. But the time has come to move in another direction.

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After tonight, I'm starting to agree. I know I've defended her in the past, but that first game was just atrocious. We should have pummeled American, and it just didn't happen. I'd say probably about 40% of it was execution, but a lot of it was just them standing around looking confused at who was supposed to take care of the ball on a given play.

I respect the Corbellis and their devotion to this school, but sometimes you just have to change. I sincerely hope that it will be good for both parties, because they've always impressed me as good people.

One weekend and you LOSERS and quitters want to fire the coach - RIDICULOUS!

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One weekend and you LOSERS and quitters want to fire the coach - RIDICULOUS!

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And you've been...where since 04?

Backing the
TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What team have you been watching? The team has struggled in the past and is obviously inconsistent again this year. As evidenced by losing to number 16 Minnesota, beating number 16 BYU, and then losing to number 20 San Diego. I think it was well said, 14 years and not one championship. It is time for a new direction, and I wish it hadn’t taken this long.

I think the team has been working well together overall. Our girls seem pretty emotionally driven and when things are going well in a game we play better and better, and of course we get the opposite as well. Coming off a loss I always feel we are pretty vulnerable the next game.

We clearly have plenty of offensive talent, especially now with bryant getting more hits. It's not like our team is clueless on the floor. I just dont think a change in coaching staff is going to change how our girls play. Besides making it emotionally hard for our big talent players heading into their senior year.

Also, when loose a game by only a few points its hardly a crisis. We still competed, when you have games that close, 1 miss call and a lucky block for the other team can completly change the outcome.

[This message has been edited by TAMUmpower (edited 9/16/2008 8:17p).]

We have four freshmen on the team. Everybody else is either a junior or senior. Unless the team makes some miracle turnaround to this season, we should be looking at a new coach next year.

got pounded in 3 games vs. ISU last night

Totally embarrased in the first two sets. Have not won a set in the last three matches (0-9).

Having a junior-senior laden team this year will enable the new coach to recruit new talent in numbers and, hopefully, get respectable after one rebuilding year. It is very likely that the class distribution of the players on the team kept BB from being able to close the deal with a new coach last year. Very few coaches are willing to take over a failing program when many players have multiple years of eligibility remaining.

[This message has been edited by sharpdressedman (edited 9/18/2008 1:24p).]

That is really interesting analysis Sharpdress. The new coach will have a chance to flip the whole program over in two years when nearly half of the roster will graduate.

Looking at the game stats Id be curious as to when they put Black in as it seems clear that our starters couldnt get through the block. I'd be willing to bet she came in the third game and thats what made us able to compete.

The few times Ive seen Black play she has been pretty powerfull, but I guess because of experience shes not getting the playing time she probably deserves. Besides the fact of having talented upperclassmen OH's already in the line up taking up the position. It will be interesting to see if she starts subbing with Sarah or Mary in the next game.

[This message has been edited by TAMUmpower (edited 9/18/2008 8:08p).]

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It is very likely that the class distribution of the players on the team kept BB from being able to close the deal with a new coach last year. Very few coaches are willing to take over a failing program when many players have multiple years of eligibility remaining.

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You can run people off the team in minor sports with minor fanfare.

Regardless of your feelings toward the current coach, it'd still be nice to see a good turnout for the ladies on Sunday at 2pm! We host Oklahoma who already has wins over Texas Tech and Missouri, so it would be very nice for us to pick up a win. The girls always play with great energy at home and really feed off of the energy from the fans. Hope to see everyone on sunday at 2!

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It is very likely that the class distribution of the players on the team kept BB from being able to close the deal with a new coach last year. Very few coaches are willing to take over a failing program when many players have multiple years of eligibility remaining.

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Untrue.

When a coach takes a job at a major program, having a strong returning team with a good distribution in player classes is a bonus, not a requirement.

Of course some coaches actually prefer to have a inherit a bunch of open (or soon to be open) scholarships so that they can recruit their own players...but I have never met a coach who wouldn't like to inherit a strong team, win right away, and transition into his/her own era with their own players. A good coach could do well with the current team, and the coach we want is going to want to stick around longer than however long it takes them to get a "better" job...therefore any coach we want isn't going to be afraid to try and win with the current squad and isn't going to be afraid to take a couple of years to have 100% turnover, since we want a coach that is going to stick around for a while anyway.

Whenever the position is vacated, there will not be a shortage of well-qualified candidates, regardless of the current team situation. I am no fool - I know that behind the scenes and under the tables deals go on football and basketball, but don't kid yourself: In minor sports, Bill Byrne is not even sending out feelers, much less "closing the deal" before Corbelli is gone.


[This message has been edited by Harry Dunne (edited 9/20/2008 9:22a).]

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having a strong returning team with a good distribution in player classes is a bonus

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I agree; however, the players returning this year do not constitute a "strong returning team," and there is not a "good distribution in player classes." I don't dispute the premise you describe, but it doesn't presently apply to our program.

Regarding your claim that BB would not send out feelers until LC is gone, you are not only dead wrong, but about nine months behind the times.

i am wholly opposed to moving volleyball to reed. reed would kill the volleyball crowds.

i think that we've had some very disappointing finishes in other sports that some of you are overlooking. cross country, tennis, and swimming (until just the last 2 years or so). football is abysmal and has been. yeah, we're kicking butt in soccer, softball, women's basketball, etc. but volleyball is not the only sport that we haven't seen exceptional results in.