I think a lot of great points have been made in this thread about do we promote from within or look outside the program. In my mind, the most responsible thing to do for our WBB Program or any other Aggie Athletic Program is to consider both possibilities. See who we can attract from outside, including Vic, and also consider KBW. Let the best person for the job separate themselves from the rest. I don't believe KBW as the replacement for Gary is a forgone conclusion. If it was, why didn't Starkey and Amy Wright stay here where they clearly seemed to enjoy coaching? I think the conversation went something like, "Gary is retiring next year. KBW will be applying for the position, but of course there are no guarantees, so if you want to look for other opportunities, this is the time." I'm all about loyalty and love all that KBW has meant to our program. If she's the best candidate, then I'm all for hiring her. I just can't believe Ross won't open it up to outside candidates, also. The program is bigger than any individual.
Vic or bust!
31,379 Views |
202 Replies |
Last: 3 yr ago by ComfortAg
Good points - maybe Starkey was upset that he wasn't considered for the position? Maybe they realized this year would be a farewell fest? Idk. I hope you are right. Surely they haven't just settled on one direction without seeing what else is out there. Bjork is an outstanding AD and I really have no doubts that he will do what's best for the program. The thing is, KBW is very invested in the community. She has a daughter involved in school here and I doubt she wants to up and leave.
I honestly don't know what to think. I wish I knew more but I won't know until we all know lol. Someone in here knows something bc they knew GB was retiring before summer started in 2020.
Also, from listening to GB's retirement announcement, I do believe he was encouraged to retire. I say this bc of how he mentioned that in order to continue coaching he would need 3 things, and then he followed that statement up with that he felt like he still has those three things. Lol so who knows. It seems to me that Ross Bjork made a difficult decision for GB and may be ahead of us all.
I honestly don't know what to think. I wish I knew more but I won't know until we all know lol. Someone in here knows something bc they knew GB was retiring before summer started in 2020.
Also, from listening to GB's retirement announcement, I do believe he was encouraged to retire. I say this bc of how he mentioned that in order to continue coaching he would need 3 things, and then he followed that statement up with that he felt like he still has those three things. Lol so who knows. It seems to me that Ross Bjork made a difficult decision for GB and may be ahead of us all.
Starkey has made it clear that he has no desire to be a head coach. He was interim head coach at LSU at one point, but gladly went back to being an assistant afterwards.
Exactly. But that's not how hiring coaches works. An informal interview already took place and Bjork already has a likely hire if he convinced GB it's time.AggieSports said:
I think a lot of great points have been made in this thread about do we promote from within or look outside the program. In my mind, the most responsible thing to do for our WBB Program or any other Aggie Athletic Program is to consider both possibilities. See who we can attract from outside, including Vic, and also consider KBW. Let the best person for the job separate themselves from the rest. I don't believe KBW as the replacement for Gary is a forgone conclusion. If it was, why didn't Starkey and Amy Wright stay here where they clearly seemed to enjoy coaching? I think the conversation went something like, "Gary is retiring next year. KBW will be applying for the position, but of course there are no guarantees, so if you want to look for other opportunities, this is the time." I'm all about loyalty and love all that KBW has meant to our program. If she's the best candidate, then I'm all for hiring her. I just can't believe Ross won't open it up to outside candidates, also. The program is bigger than any individual.
I think it's more likely GB is trying to assist with the hire and who knows what the two departures actually meant. But bringing in two people for one-year contracts is an incomplete thought at best.
I'm willing to see how this works out. But we need to hire someone who can continue to grow the program and bring in more fans by winning more consistently. A final four per decade isn't going anywhere and this is our leading women's sport attendance wise. Hope we don't fumble the ball in it.
IMO if KBW really wanted to be a HC, she would have left long ago. Bjork needs to interview everybody possible.HiddenAg2 said:
I'm not sure what Bjork will do, but this is a really big decision for him. KBW may be a great assistant coach and recruiter, but she is high risk hire for a completely unproven head coach. It offers consistency and an easy transition and the players will love it, but if she fails the program will be set back for years and it's not that easy to turn things back around once you lose your position as a Top 10-15 program. Schools like Texas A&M should be hiring proven, elite coaches in all sports if we are serious about winning NC. On the other hand, KBW could end up being a great coach and take us to another Final Four. It's just a really risky hire and will be on Bjork either way.
"Can I Ask What Exactly Is An Aggie? Sure! An Aggie is quite simply the best thing anyone can strive to be!" - Sydney Colson
You only interview the one you intend to hire.
Now we're talking! This is the conversation I want to have. Great points Greg and czar
Looks like Vic lost his cool with the woman coach from tech tonight.
I saw they lost to tech. Not sad about that at all.
I didn't even know they played tonight, but looked at the box score after seeing they lost. They were out rebounded by 10 or so and had 10 more fouls than Tech did, because of that Tech took 44 free-throws and made 34. That was the difference in the game as two of tu's starters fouled out.
I watched the tu/ttu game. tu looked pretty terrible all the way around. ttu totally outplayed them. They're letting Vic have it a little bit over on hornfans. Honeymoon is over, I guess. Lol
Also, Ella from last year's Aggie Team played some solid minutes for ttu. I never thought Gary gave her enough PT last year.
Agree - Ella and Anna were under utilized in my opinion.
You all will call me nuts, but time to hire Alesha Robertson. Every step he has created a winning program. Big jump up, but I she would win here.
Nitro Power said:
You all will call me nuts, but time to hire Alesha Robertson. Every step he has created a winning program. Big jump up, but I she would win here.
I can safely say that Bjork will not be hiring a coach that is 3-9 at Angelo State
From what it looks like, GB will tell Bjork exactly who to hire.
What makes you say that?
Will be a more difficult decision to consider promoting from inside to replace Blair if this season goes off the rails.
Bjork will not be hiring from inside, the KBW stuff is all fan fiction.
I agree about Ross not hiring from within. Let's give the man a little credit. College athletics is a business. His job is to hire the best, most qualified coach he possibly can. I believe Gary has done his best to set up KBW as his successor, but it's not his call to make. If last night's game is any indication of the rest of the season, no way Ross hires from within. This program needs a fresh start with a coach who's a proven winner.
I hope you are both correct. Seems like the writing is on the wall though. Does anyone know of have access to the two new coaches contracts? I wonder if they are multi year or one year contracts?
If I were the AD, I would ask Gary (because of his extensive knowledge/experience with WBB) for his top 3 recommendations as well as the pros and cons he sees in each.
Beating Blair ain't what it used to be. TCU lost by 26 to SMU their last game played. Probably going to be 4-6 after getting pounded by Iowa State today. That includes their win against us, BTW.cs69ag said:
If I was the AD, I would talk to the 3 women head coaches at Zona. Mizzou and TCU
All have beaten Blair and I like the way their teams play and how these coaches coach
Coach at Mizzou is very solid and I'm sure she'd do fine but if we want "fine" we can hire in house. 4 NCAA tournaments in 12 years is fine for Mizzou, but not exactly a game-changer & seems it to me like we need to be going for a generational talent, like a young Gary Blair.
Yes to Arizona. She's a coach that's going to win a national championship. Not someone that "the kids love and is a good recruiter". Not someone who is solid but not necessarily an improvement over what we've got. Someone who is at the absolute top of their profession and entering the peak of their coaching career.
Agree to the above.
The men are looking sharp! They play with so much energy. It's contagious. Our WBB program needs to play that this!!
The men are looking sharp! They play with so much energy. It's contagious. Our WBB program needs to play that this!!
KBW needs us to win and win big this year.
I think the Zona coach and possibly Neighbors should get a call
I think the Zona coach and possibly Neighbors should get a call
Adia Barnes played at Arizona and she just got a big pay day. That one ain't happening.
Agree 100%
HaHa
HaHa
Baseless and classless comment. Name one fact to support your propaganda.
I am not doing your research for you much after the fact. It was in the media and several other online sources.
What is this in reference to?dfleig said:
Baseless and classless comment. Name one fact to support your propaganda.
https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33032085/women-college-basketball-power-rankings-which-new-power-5-coaches-making-biggest-impact-2021-22
This is an interesting article siting the newer coaches making the biggest impact on their teams. Most notably, Kelly Rae Finley...Florida...
Nicki Collen, Baylor: She knew it would be difficult replacing Mulkey, but Collen brings pro and college experience to the Bears, who are 10-3. But they have not defeated a ranked opponent yet and lost to Kansas State recently for the first time since 2004. This past week, COVID-19 stalled Baylor, which faces Oklahoma next.
Kelly Rae Finley, Florida: As an assistant to Cam Newbauer, who resigned during the summer amid abuse accusations, Finley took over as interim head coach with some baggage. But the Gators players stood up for her. They are 11-5, and just defeated No. 25 Texas A&M in double overtime Sunday, despite having lost top scorer Lavender Briggs for the season due to injury.
Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt: The longtime UConn assistant is 10-6 so far with the Commodores in her first head-coaching job. Up next is a familiar foe from her playing and coaching days with the Huskies, as Tennessee visits Nashville on Thursday.
Lindsay Gottlieb, USC: She's very familiar with the Pac-12 after eight years at Cal, which included a 2013 Final Four appearance. After spending time as an assistant with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, Gottlieb is back in the college game, and the Trojans are 8-4, coming off handing Arizona its first defeat this season Sunday.
Doug Novak, Mississippi State: He was hired as an assistant in September, then elevated to interim head coach in October when Nikki McCray-Penson stepped down due to health concerns. He has worked on the men's and women's side in college basketball. The Bulldogs are 11-4 and are coming off victories over Alabama and Vanderbilt.
This is an interesting article siting the newer coaches making the biggest impact on their teams. Most notably, Kelly Rae Finley...Florida...
Nicki Collen, Baylor: She knew it would be difficult replacing Mulkey, but Collen brings pro and college experience to the Bears, who are 10-3. But they have not defeated a ranked opponent yet and lost to Kansas State recently for the first time since 2004. This past week, COVID-19 stalled Baylor, which faces Oklahoma next.
Kelly Rae Finley, Florida: As an assistant to Cam Newbauer, who resigned during the summer amid abuse accusations, Finley took over as interim head coach with some baggage. But the Gators players stood up for her. They are 11-5, and just defeated No. 25 Texas A&M in double overtime Sunday, despite having lost top scorer Lavender Briggs for the season due to injury.
Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt: The longtime UConn assistant is 10-6 so far with the Commodores in her first head-coaching job. Up next is a familiar foe from her playing and coaching days with the Huskies, as Tennessee visits Nashville on Thursday.
Lindsay Gottlieb, USC: She's very familiar with the Pac-12 after eight years at Cal, which included a 2013 Final Four appearance. After spending time as an assistant with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, Gottlieb is back in the college game, and the Trojans are 8-4, coming off handing Arizona its first defeat this season Sunday.
Doug Novak, Mississippi State: He was hired as an assistant in September, then elevated to interim head coach in October when Nikki McCray-Penson stepped down due to health concerns. He has worked on the men's and women's side in college basketball. The Bulldogs are 11-4 and are coming off victories over Alabama and Vanderbilt.
This postaggiedrjdub said:What is this in reference to?dfleig said:
Baseless and classless comment. Name one fact to support your propaganda.
Quote:
Bucketrunner
7:03p, 11/1/21
Well hiring Vic would make his cult happy but drive away a substantial number of season ticket holders who value integrity and inclusion.
Oh ok. I missed that. I don't understand that comment. Vic has less integrity than who? What is this comment based on? If something happened I missed it, but I will research. I don't understand the cult comment. The reality is, we were better when he was here. That's objectively true.
Featured Stories
See All
10:14
1d ago
8.0k
Zach Clemence leads Texas A&M's 3-point barrage vs. South Carolina
by Olin Buchanan
5 Thoughts: Texas A&M 92, South Carolina 69
by Luke Evangelist
5:03
1d ago
2.1k
Game Highlights: Texas A&M 92, South Carolina 69
by Reece Nygren
Skid reaches four as Texas A&M falls at Mizzou, 81-70
by Justin Paez
wtr1975
Difference between eccentric and just "off". Anyone heard a recent Buzz interview?
in Texas A&M Men's Basketball
4