Gator Women Visit S. Carolina - Season Finale

[tommyuf21]

Originally Posted by gatorbogey

have these coaches you talk about lined up to come to UF in the past? were they banging on foley's door wanting to come here when peck was dismissed? i don't recall. tell me, who did?

Someone said that we could have had Mulkey in 2007 if we were willing to part with a ton of money. I don't think that was anything more than speculation on someone's part.

I don't think there was a proven head coach that was interested in cleaning up Peck's mess. And Foley wasn't going to empty the vault to over pay someone after getting burned.

For all of you detractors, you should be hoping that Butler succeeds, because if she doesn't, we're back to square one yet again. I would rather have a program that is stable and can be competitive with a few good additions, than swinging for the fence and failing again.

[G2MGA]

Originally Posted by stingbb

Finally, to say UF can't find a coach any better is ridiculous. UF would be a very attractive place to coach women's basketball, just like it is for nearly every other sport.

You clearly don't remember our last coaching search in this sport. It's not like Butler was the 1st choice (or even in the top 5).

Of those high on Foley's wish list, Brenda Frese (Maryland), Dawn Staley (Temple), Joanne McCallie (Michigan St) were not even interested in talking to us. McCallie interviewed for and took the Duke job that same offseason. Staley jumped at the South Carolina job the very next season. Hmm. Joanne Boyle (Cal) was offered and turned us down. She's since become the head coach at UVA.

I agree that this would seem an attractive job, but it certainly was not in 2007. Perhaps it would be a more sought after job today, but if so, much of that credit goes to Butler IMHO.

Sure we could take a crap shoot on another mid-major coach, but they are few women coaches among the top mid-majors and the odds of getting better results than what Butler is producing are probably 20/80. It is hilarious to me that someone in this thread suggested Cara Consuegra who's entire head coaching resume consists of one WNIT appearance at Charlotte, the same school from which we hired Amanda Butler with similar credentials. Some here like Goestenkors, but she left the cupboards at Texas about as bare as Peck did here (that perennial power is now 2nd to last in the Big XII) all while making $1 million/year.

There are valid criticisms of this coaching staff. For me, X&Os and in-state recruiting are chief among them, and I have been surprised Butler has not addressed either of these issues with her assistant coaching staff. That said, I do think she has this program on the rise, even if it is not on the meteoric pace some would prefer.

Next year's team should look entirely different with 2 McD AA's and 5 top 50 recruits between the freshman and sophomore classes, only one of whom (Moss) is out there this season. Of course, like last season, it will be another NCAAs or bust season for Butler. Just looking at the roster though, we will have top 20 talent and it has been over a decade since the last time that was the case.

[tommyuf21]

Originally Posted by G2MGA

Sure we could take a crap shoot on another mid-major coach, but they are few women coaches among the top mid-majors and the odds of getting better results than what Butler is producing are probably 20/80. It is hilarious to me that someone in this thread suggested Cara Consuegra who's entire head coaching resume consists of one WNIT appearance at Charlotte, the same school from which we hired Amanda Butler with similar credentials. Some here like Goestenkors, but she left the cupboards at Texas about as bare as Peck did here (that perennial power is now 2nd to last in the Big XII) all while making $1 million/year.

Something many here don't know is that Foley does not want a male head coach for the Women's program. Whether you agree with him on this or not is a subject for discussion, but it does cut the list of potential coaches.

I think its fair to assess her performance over the next couple of seasons. We should move up a notch or two on the SEC ladder with the talent that we have now and what is coming in for next year. I think that is a reasonable expectation. If she is unable to improve the bottom line at that point, then taking a look at other options is warranted.

Regardless of who is coaching at UF, I highly doubt that we'll ever see a national championship. Even winning the league is a stretch, unless UT and UGA drop significantly. I know we have success in non revenue sports, but unlike tennis and softball, there is not much enthusiasm for basketball (men and women) in Florida. That lack of enthusiasm is not just at the collegiate level, but also at high school too.

I am amazed at the difference in the support for women's basketball at the high school level here in Pennsylvania. It's like night and day, when you compare it to a state like Florida, where outdoor sports are much more prevalent and available year long.

[number1]

I never said that I am against Amanda Butler, but when is enough time for you to treat her like the other coaches? This is her 6th season in Gainesville (time really flew lol). I am all for giving her next season to show what she has supposedly been building for, but giving her 8 or 9 season seems like a little too much. Bottomline, this program has to make the NCAA tournament next season and have a decent showing. If it ends up being another WNIT season, then I don't see how you can reasonably come on her and defend giving her another season.

[number1]

Originally Posted by tommyuf21

Something many here don't know is that Foley does not want a male head coach for the Women's program. Whether you agree with him on this or not is a subject for discussion, but it does cut the list of potential coaches.

I think its fair to assess her performance over the next couple of seasons. We should move up a notch or two on the SEC ladder with the talent that we have now and what is coming in for next year. I think that is a reasonable expectation. If she is unable to improve the bottom line at that point, then taking a look at other options is warranted.

Regardless of who is coaching at UF, I highly doubt that we'll ever see a national championship. Even winning the league is a stretch, unless UT and UGA drop significantly. I know we have success in non revenue sports, but unlike tennis and softball, there is not much enthusiasm for basketball (men and women) in Florida. That lack of enthusiasm is not just at the collegiate level, but also at high school too.

I am amazed at the difference in the support for women's basketball at the high school level here in Pennsylvania. It's like night and day, when you compare it to a state like Florida, where outdoor sports are much more prevalent and available year long.

That has been the point of all my posts. I just don't like people trying to put out this stick with Amanda because we won't find anyone else better stuff. I am certain another coach can come in and build off of what she has done so far. I like to think of this to what Alabama did with their football program. They had Mike Debose as their coach that drove them into probation and brought the football program down to a new low, hired Dennis Franchione to work the program through the probation and keep them relevant, then hired Mike Shula to stabilize the program post-probation and then fired him even though he was doing a solid job to get the hall-of-fame coach Nick Saban. Peck was the Mike Debose of the program minus the probation, and next season we should be able to tell if Amanda is the Shula/Franchione or Saban in this scenario. lol

[number1]

Originally Posted by tommyuf21

Something many here don't know is that Foley does not want a male head coach for the Women's program. Whether you agree with him on this or not is a subject for discussion, but it does cut the list of potential coaches.

I think its fair to assess her performance over the next couple of seasons. We should move up a notch or two on the SEC ladder with the talent that we have now and what is coming in for next year. I think that is a reasonable expectation. If she is unable to improve the bottom line at that point, then taking a look at other options is warranted.

Regardless of who is coaching at UF, I highly doubt that we'll ever see a national championship. Even winning the league is a stretch, unless UT and UGA drop significantly. I know we have success in non revenue sports, but unlike tennis and softball, there is not much enthusiasm for basketball (men and women) in Florida. That lack of enthusiasm is not just at the collegiate level, but also at high school too.

I am amazed at the difference in the support for women's basketball at the high school level here in Pennsylvania. It's like night and day, when you compare it to a state like Florida, where outdoor sports are much more prevalent and available year long.

Tennessee and Georgia aren't the programs we should be worried about. LSU and Kentucky are the 2 we should be worried about.

[oragator1]

Originally Posted by number1

That has been the point of all my posts. I just don't like people trying to put out this stick with Amanda because we won't find anyone else better stuff. I am certain another coach can come in and build off of what she has done so far. I like to think of this to what Alabama did with their football program. They had Mike Debose as their coach that drove them into probation and brought the football program down to a new low, hired Dennis Franchione to work the program through the probation and keep them relevant, then hired Mike Shula to stabilize the program post-probation and then fired him even though he was doing a solid job to get the hall-of-fame coach Nick Saban. Peck was the Mike Debose of the program minus the probation, and next season we should be able to tell if Amanda is the Shula/Franchione or Saban in this scenario. lol

Bama football and UF women's basketball aren't really comparable. Bama had already won what, 12 national titles in football at that point, have some of the best facilities in the country, a rabid fanbase and great talent to draw from. There are a multitude of coaches who can win there, as history has shown.
UF in women's basketball is a second or third tier job, this has been my defense of her. It would take a special talent to win at UF, we don't have history, we don't have fan support and we are perennially viewed below the conference powers. Now that is seems she finally has recruiting going the right way many want to pull the plug.
I will readily concede that if there isn't marked improvement next year she will be in jeopardy, but let's wait to see what happens next year before condemning her.

[tommyuf21]

Originally Posted by number1

Tennessee and Georgia aren't the programs we should be worried about. LSU and Kentucky are the 2 we should be worried about.

We beat LSU this year and lost a very close game in Lexington to a team that is a lot more experienced than us.

This year has played out as I expected it to. Some flashes of what can be, followed with moments that really exposed the weaknesses of a very young team. I think our talent level is improving, its just young talent. Having Jennifer George injured at a critical moment in the season probably cost us two wins. With more experience and depth, I think the team can endure the inevitable injuries and adversity.

Let's see what she can do next year with an experienced leader in Bonds, a potential All SEC player in Sydney Moss and hopefully Ronni Williams is what she is built up to be.

I really believe we have the right coach and one that will stay with us for the long haul. Every outstanding women's program has that one advantage. Losing Ross and the Peck debacle set us back and I don't want to see that happen again.

[tommyuf21]

Originally Posted by oragator1

UF in women's basketball is a second or third tier job, this has been my defense of her. It would take a special talent to win at UF, we don't have history, we don't have fan support and we are perennially viewed below the conference powers. Now that is seems she finally has recruiting going the right way many want to pull the plug.I will readily concede that if there isn't marked improvement next year she will be in jeopardy, but let's wait to see what happens next year before condemning her.

I don't think that everyone who is complaining about the program spent much time looking at the roster and the graduation losses when they set their expectations for this season.

They automatically looked at last year and assumed that we should be better this season.

Now, with only one senior and a lot of returing experience plus some talented freshman, it is reasonable to expect significant improvement in 2013-14.

[number1]

Originally Posted by tommyuf21

We beat LSU this year and lost a very close game in Lexington to a team that is a lot more experienced than us.

This year has played out as I expected it to. Some flashes of what can be, followed with moments that really exposed the weaknesses of a very young team. I think our talent level is improving, its just young talent. Having Jennifer George injured at a critical moment in the season probably cost us two wins. With more experience and depth, I think the team can endure the inevitable injuries and adversity.

Let's see what she can do next year with an experienced leader in Bonds, a potential All SEC player in Sydney Moss and hopefully Ronni Williams is what she is built up to be.

I really believe we have the right coach and one that will stay with us for the long haul. Every outstanding women's program has that one advantage. Losing Ross and the Peck debacle set us back and I don't want to see that happen again.

Do you seriously think if we played LSU again that we would beat them? They are finally playing up to their potential and should make a lot of noise in the post-season. Hopefully they can win their first game in the SEC tournament and maybe give Tennessee a good game in the 3rd round.

[swampgas44]

Did Vicky McIntyre leave the team?

[GboroGator]

Originally Posted by swampgas44

Did Vicky McIntyre leave the team?

Yeah, what happened to her? She's not on the UF bench.

[G2MGA]

Originally Posted by GboroGator

Yeah, what happened to her? She's not on the UF bench.

Would be nice if the local media would ask these questions.

She was not at the SC game either. From her twitter, it's clear she went home to Nebraska for Spring Break. At a minimum, it seems she's gone for what's left of this season.

[swampgas44]

Originally Posted by G2MGA

Would be nice if the local media would ask these questions.

She was not at the SC game either. From her twitter, it's clear she went home to Nebraska for Spring Break. At a minimum, it seems she's gone for what's left of this season.

A very odd time to take off for "personal reasons", right before tournament time and we are very short handed. There is no interaction with teammates on twitter even after our victory yesterday. I don't have any information to base this on but I don't expect her back next year. Hope I am wrong.

[oragator1]

Originally Posted by swampgas44

A very odd time to take off for "personal reasons", right before tournament time and we are very short handed. There is no interaction with teammates on twitter even after our victory yesterday. I don't have any information to base this on but I don't expect her back next year. Hope I am wrong.

If you look at her twitter today it looks like a definite family issue. She also had several teammate related tweets and that she is headed back to FLA.
I think things are ok.

[number1]

Originally Posted by G2MGA

You clearly don't remember our last coaching search in this sport. It's not like Butler was the 1st choice (or even in the top 5).

Of those high on Foley's wish list, Brenda Frese (Maryland), Dawn Staley (Temple), Joanne McCallie (Michigan St) were not even interested in talking to us. McCallie interviewed for and took the Duke job that same offseason. Staley jumped at the South Carolina job the very next season. Hmm. Joanne Boyle (Cal) was offered and turned us down. She's since become the head coach at UVA.

I agree that this would seem an attractive job, but it certainly was not in 2007. Perhaps it would be a more sought after job today, but if so, much of that credit goes to Butler IMHO.

Sure we could take a crap shoot on another mid-major coach, but they are few women coaches among the top mid-majors and the odds of getting better results than what Butler is producing are probably 20/80. It is hilarious to me that someone in this thread suggested Cara Consuegra who's entire head coaching resume consists of one WNIT appearance at Charlotte, the same school from which we hired Amanda Butler with similar credentials. Some here like Goestenkors, but she left the cupboards at Texas about as bare as Peck did here (that perennial power is now 2nd to last in the Big XII) all while making $1 million/year.

There are valid criticisms of this coaching staff. For me, X&Os and in-state recruiting are chief among them, and I have been surprised Butler has not addressed either of these issues with her assistant coaching staff. That said, I do think she has this program on the rise, even if it is not on the meteoric pace some would prefer.

Next year's team should look entirely different with 2 McD AA's and 5 top 50 recruits between the freshman and sophomore classes, only one of whom (Moss) is out there this season. Of course, like last season, it will be another NCAAs or bust season for Butler. Just looking at the roster though, we will have top 20 talent and it has been over a decade since the last time that was the case.

I see that you said nothing about Tulane's Lisa Stockton. lol