Potential New Coach Names

[1reVOLver]

We have had an interesting conversation in the thread for replacement coach qualifications. That thread, in typical fashion, has begun to meander into various
related swamps. topics. So the time has come to stick our collective and individual
necks out and name names.

When proposing a candidate for the AD to hire, please give us the basics:
1. Name
2. Current school, if active. Last school if retired.
3. Last known $ compensation
4. Your three top reasons why the AD should hire this person.

No extra credit will be awarded for references to culinary skills, fine fashion sense, or
ideological stance. Let’s stick to coaching, please.

To kick things off, I offer a list that is supposed to include all the active D1 head coaches who have been at D1 NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen games as a head coach. I used whatever AI comes with Google search. It was not a fun experience.

WARNING! This list probably has some errors and omissions. Nite the wrong school affiliation for Kellie Harper. Complain to Google, not me.


You may propose a coach without SS head coaching experience.


Active DI Women's Basketball Coaches - Sweet Sixteen Appearances

# of SS	Head Coach	Team (2024-25/26)
24	Geno Auriemma	UConn
11	Kim Mulkey	LSU
8	Dawn Staley	South Carolina
8	Brenda Frese	Maryland
7	Wes Moore	NC State
6	Jeff Walz	Louisville
5	Scott Rueck	Oregon State
5	Vic Schaefer	Texas
4	Niele Ivey	Notre Dame
4	Lisa Fortier	Gonzaga
3	Kara Lawson	Duke
3	Yolett McPhee-McCuin	Ole Miss
3	Kellie Harper	Missouri
3	Joni Taylor	Texas A&M
2	Adia Barnes	SMU
2	Tony Bozzella	Seton Hall
2	Aaron Johnston	South Dakota St
1	Dawn Plitzuweit	Minnesota
1	Megan Duffy	Virginia Tech
1	Kenny Brooks	Kentucky

ALL Other Active DI Coaches Meeting Criteria (1-2 SS Appearances):

The following coaches also meet the criteria and have 1-2 Sweet 16 appearances as a DI Head Coach: Kim Caldwell (Tennessee), Tricia Cullop (Miami), Tina Langley (Washington), Kyra Elzy (formerly Kentucky), Karen Aston (UTSA), Amaka Agugua-Hamilton (Virginia), Natasha Adair
,Katrina Merriweather (Cincinnati), Lynn Norenberg (formerly W&M), C. Vivian Stringer (previously retired), Sharon Fanning (previously retired).

• 2 - Courtney Banghart (North Carolina/Princeton) and Lindsay Gottlieb USC west 2 and Kim Barnes Arico, Michigan should be listed. Add Kevin McGuff at Ohio State, theeee. Add Cori Close. UCLA. Mark Campbell at TCU. Jennie Baranczyk, OK.

 

[th2421]

We have had an interesting conversation in the thread for replacement coach qualifications. That thread, in typical fashion, has begun to meander into various
related swamps. topics. So the time has come to stick our collective and individual
necks out and name names.

When proposing a candidate for the AD to hire, please give us the basics:
1. Name
2. Current school, if active. Last school if retired.
3. Last known $ compensation
4. Your three top reasons why the AD should hire this person.

No extra credit will be awarded for references to culinary skills, fine fashion sense, or
ideological stance. Let’s stick to coaching, please.

To kick things off, I offer a list that is supposed to include all the active D1 head coaches who have been at D1 NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen games as a head coach. I used whatever AI comes with Google search. It was not a fun experience.

WARNING! This list probably has some errors and omissions. Nite the wrong school affiliation for Kellie Harper. Complain to Google, not me.


You may propose a coach without SS head coaching experience.


Active DI Women's Basketball Coaches - Sweet Sixteen Appearances

# of SS	Head Coach	Team (2024-25/26)
24	Geno Auriemma	UConn
11	Kim Mulkey	LSU
8	Dawn Staley	South Carolina
8	Brenda Frese	Maryland
7	Wes Moore	NC State
6	Jeff Walz	Louisville
5	Scott Rueck	Oregon State
5	Vic Schaefer	Texas
4	Niele Ivey	Notre Dame
4	Lisa Fortier	Gonzaga
3	Kara Lawson	Duke
3	Yolett McPhee-McCuin	Ole Miss
3	Kellie Harper	Central Florida (UCF)
3	Joni Taylor	Texas A&M
2	Adia Barnes	Arizona
2	Lindsay Whalen	Minnesota
2	Tony Bozzella	Seton Hall
2	Aaron Johnston	South Dakota St
1	Dawn Plitzuweit	Minnesota
1	Molly Miller	Grand Canyon
1	Megan Duffy	Virginia Tech
1	Shawn Poppie	Clemson
1	Kenny Brooks	Kentucky

ALL Other Active DI Coaches Meeting Criteria (1-2 SS Appearances):

The following coaches also meet the criteria and have 1-2 Sweet 16 appearances as a DI Head Coach: Kim Caldwell (Tennessee), Tricia Cullop (Miami), Tina Langley (Washington), Kyra Elzy (formerly Kentucky), Karen Aston (UTSA), Carla Berube (Princeton), Amaka Agugua-Hamilton (Penn State), Natasha Adair (Arizona State), Katrina Merriweather (Cincinnati), Lynn Norenberg (formerly W&M), C. Vivian Stringer (previously retired), Sharon Fanning (previously retired).

Some corrections - Kellie Harper is not, and was never, at UCF. Adia Barnes is now at SMU. Lindsay Whalen is now an assistant in the WNBA and I don't think ever went to the NCAA tournament, much less the Sweet 16. Molly Miller is now at Arizona State (and Natasha Adair is not) - but has never been to the Sweet 16. Megan Duffy has never been past the first round, and neither has Shawn Poppie. Cullop, Langley, Berube, and Merriweather have never been to the Sweet 16. Agugua-Hamilton is at Virginia, not Penn State.

 

[1reVOLver]

Some corrections - Kellie Harper is not, and was never, at UCF. Adia Barnes is now at SMU. Lindsay Whalen is now an assistant in the WNBA and I don't think ever went to the NCAA tournament, much less the Sweet 16. Molly Miller is now at Arizona State (and Natasha Adair is not) - but has never been to the Sweet 16. Megan Duffy has never been past the first round, and neither has Shawn Poppie. Cullop, Langley, Berube, and Merriweather have never been to the Sweet 16. Agugua-Hamilton is at Virginia, not Penn State.

Thanks. The corrections are appreciated.

The Google AI, despite many iterations, kept adding and subtracting names almost at random. The point of posting the list was just to try to set a baseline: If proposing a coach who has not made it to the Sweet Sixteen, give good reasons.

 

[th2421]

Thanks. The corrections are appreciated.

The Google AI, despite many iterations, kept adding and subtracting names almost at random. The point of posting the list was just to try to set a baseline: If proposing a coach who has not made it to the Sweet Sixteen, give good reasons.

Yes! The list really highlights how few realistic options there are (at least of those who've made it to the Sweet 16).

Mark Campbell at TCU (whose contract was just extended to 2030) stands out as a coach missing from this list who I would think meets the criteria.

 

[germantown902]

The Lady Vols have been irrelevant in the Regional Finals since Coach Summitt left the program. I don't think Coach Caldwell is the answer, but she deserves a chance to see her offense click with players who want to play in it and not just paid mercenaries from other schools. I feel she deserves at least 1-2 more years. She took a team to the Sweet 16 last year with a big win over the eventual national champion.

Coach admitted she overestimated her ability to coach P4 players. In the portal age we live in now, the scare tactics and public embarrassing don't always get the expected result.

 

[37620VOL]

Lisa Fortier’s candidacy for an SEC head coaching position is anchored by her status as one of the most efficient winners in the modern era of women’s college basketball. As the fastest active Division I coach to reach 300 career victories, matching the torrid pace of LSU’s Kim Mulkey, Fortier has proven she can build and sustain a Top 25 program outside of the traditional power conferences. Her career winning percentage of nearly .800 and her 10 postseason appearances demonstrate a level of consistency that would immediately stabilize and elevate an SEC program. Crucially, she has proven she can beat the nation's best on the biggest stages, evidenced by her 18-point blowout of #3 Stanford and deep runs into the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

Tactically, Fortier’s "defense-first" philosophy is a perfect match for the physical, high-intensity environment of the SEC. Her defensive schemes are built on elite scouting and disciplined man-to-man principles that take away an opponent's primary strengths.

Offensively, she runs a highly unselfish, top-10 efficient system that prioritizes ball movement and rebounding, traits that are essential for neutralizing the athletic pressure common in SEC play. Unlike many coaches who rely on a single superstar, Fortier’s "share the load" approach makes her teams incredibly difficult to scout and resilient against injuries.

Furthermore, Fortier has mastered the modern recruiting landscape, which is a prerequisite for SEC success. She has established a premier international pipeline and has shown a savvy ability to use the Transfer Portal to bring in high-major talent from programs like UConn. Her reputation for a "family-first" culture has led to high player retention, a rare asset in the current era of college sports. Combined with her immense personal resilience, highlighted by her inspirational return to the sidelines after a battle with breast cancer, Fortier offers the rare combination of a master tactician, an elite recruiter, and a high-character leader ready for the brightest lights in the country.

*a Google summary of her as an SEC head coach candidate

 

[LVfanLasVegas]

The leadership is what's most glaring right now with the current head coach. Displays of disconnect with players, the game at hand, and poor sportsmanship aren't a good look.

 

[1reVOLver]

The Lady Vols have been irrelevant in the Regional Finals since Coach Summitt left the program. I don't think Coach Caldwell is the answer, but she deserves a chance to see her offense click with players who want to play in it and not just paid mercenaries from other schools. I feel she deserves at least 1-2 more years. She took a team to the Sweet 16 last year with a big win over the eventual national champion.

Coach admitted she overestimated her ability to coach P4 players. In the portal age we live in now, the scare tactics and public embarrassing don't always get the expected result.

Wrong thread.
Who us your replacement candidate?

 

[1reVOLver]

The leadership is what's most glaring right now with the current head coach. Displays of disconnect with players, the game at hand, and poor sportsmanship aren't a good look.

Who do you propose as a replacement ?

 

[madtownvol]

Okey dokey, Kara's name comes a lot and, yes, if that move could be made, we have our answer. I really don;t see Kara leaving Duke. I definitely believe she wants to create her own legacy and not be saddled with the CPS legacy in her own coaching career.

I think everyone on that list would be an upgrade (including Kellie) but few seem likely to make a move and some like Freese (are both unlikely and late career stage).

So, I will throw out a pie-in-the-sky name. Candace Parker. The big negative is no formal coaching experience but on every other dimension she is (Kara ++). [I also note that J.J. Reddick has successfully transitioned from broadcasting to NBA coaching].

Would CP3 want to leave her very sweet gigs in broadcasting and being an Adidas exec to enter into the mad of the NIL/portal circus, particularly with young kids to raise? Probably not but why not have a casual conversation about it? Even more than Kara, CP3 really seems to want to keep the CPS memory and legacy alive so I think she would embrace that aspect of the job. She has the leadership skills and knows that great leaders surround themselves with the best so I bet her staff would be killer.

 

[LVfanLasVegas]

....the Gonzaga coach if we cannot steal a bigger coach from an established bigger conference type school.

 

[1reVOLver]

Scott Rueck, Oregon State, has brought his teams to E8 and FF. Winning % in D1 is
.651. Probably earns about $1 million now, so may be affordable unless DW is in bargain basement mode.

My second choice would be Kim Barnes Arico, Michigan. She has taken two D1 teams to the SS, and MI to the E8. Steady record of very good results.

Note: That St. Johns team was in the old Big East, arguably the toughest conference at the time.

St. John's Red Storm (Big East Conference) (2002–2011)​
2002–03	St. John's	8–19	2–14	14th
2003–04	St. John's	10–18	4–12	11th
2004–05	St. John's	20–11	7–9	T–6th	WNIT Second Round
2005–06	St. John's	22–8	11–5	T–3rd	NCAA Second Round
2006–07	St. John's	8–20	4–12	12th
2007–08	St. John's	18–15	7–9	10th	WNIT Quarterfinals
2008–09	St. John's	19–15	4–12	T–13th	WNIT Third Round
2009–10	St. John's	24–6	12–4	4th	NCAA Second Round
2010–11	St. John's	22–11	9–7	T–8th	NCAA Second Round
2011–12	St. John's	24–10	13–3	T–2nd	NCAA Sweet Sixteen
St. John's:	176–134 (.568)	83–87 (.488)
Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten Conference) (2012–present)​
2012–13	Michigan	22–11	9–7	T–5th	NCAA Second Round
2013–14	Michigan	20–14	8–8	7th	WNIT Third Round
2014–15	Michigan	20–15	8–10	8th	WNIT Semifinals
2015–16	Michigan	21–14	9–9	T-7th	WNIT Semifinals
2016–17	Michigan	28–9	11–5	3rd	WNIT Champion
2017–18	Michigan	23–10	10–6	6th	NCAA Second Round
2018–19	Michigan	22–12	11–7	4th	NCAA Second Round
2019–20	Michigan	21–11	10–8	7th	Cancelled due to COVID-19
2020–21	Michigan	16–6	9–4	4th	NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2021–22	Michigan	25–7	13–4	T–3rd	NCAA Elite Eight
2022–23	Michigan	23–10	11–7	T–5th	NCAA Second Round
2023–24	Michigan	20–14	9–9	T–6th	NCAA First Round
2024–25	Michigan	23–11	11–7	T–5th	NCAA Second Round
2025–26	Michigan	27–6	15–3	T–2nd	NCAA
Michigan:	311–150 (.675)	144–94 (.605)
Total:	581–356 (.620)

 

[Smallvol#1]

When proposing a candidate for the AD to hire, please give us the basics:
1. Name
2. Current school, if active. Last school if retired.
3. Last known $ compensation
4. Your three top reasons why the AD should hire this person.

No extra credit will be awarded for references to culinary skills, fine fashion sense, or
ideological stance. Let’s stick to coaching, please.

I feel for you. It’s like herding cats.

And re :
“No extra credit will be awarded for references to culinary skills, fine fashion sense, or
ideological stance. Let’s stick to coaching, please.”
I think @madtownvol deserves extra credit just for sticking to the criteria.

 

[Volfan2012]

Tina Langley Washington Huskies might take the job her teams are always solid and play more talented teams close.
See Walz is on there he is not coming her would always get him a raise at Louisville.
Lindsay Edmonds Rice Owls
Shawn Poppie Clemson Tigers
Aaron Roussell Richmond

All of these would be Coaches you could get to come here and are solid in their coaching of the talent they can get at these schools. With a lot more talent that could win a lot anywhere. Should have talked to Langley before Kim with solid resources she has the coaching ability to win big.

 

[Go aeiou]

Walz, Walz, Walz
If he's good enough to be governor of MN he's good enough to coach at UT.

 

[1reVOLver]

I feel for you. It’s like herding cats.

And re :
“No extra credit will be awarded for references to culinary skills, fine fashion sense, or
ideological stance. Let’s stick to coaching, please.”
I think @madtownvol deserves extra credit just for sticking to the criteria.

Thanks. No dogs nor goats were exhumed in the crafting of those criteria. Any resemblance to Mulkey haberdashery was ever so slightly intentional. I herd a small mob of semi-feral barn cats around 5 am. They compete for attention and try to elbow one another away from the food bowl. Good practice for fan forums.

They share their food with a possum, willingly, and a very large raccoon because very large raccoon.

 

[lvocd]

I’ll do it. I’ll throw my hat into the ring. I’d make a terrible coach, I’m sure, but my players wouldn’t get yanked the second they get the hot hand and finally score a few points, I can guarantee that much!

 

[brittannica]

I’ll do it. I’ll throw my hat into the ring. I’d make a terrible coach, I’m sure, but my players wouldn’t get yanked the second they get the hot hand and finally score a few points, I can guarantee that much!

We joked our dog should be on the sidelines.

 

[Volstylexx]

“I believe in you but you have to believe in yourself”
I would have liked to have seen what Brenda could have done with this program 4 or 5 years ago.

 

[LVfanLasVegas]

Go Brenda. Sometimes that's what it takes. KC at times didn't even acknowledge players, let alone fire them up.

 

[37620VOL]

Scott Rueck, Oregon State, has brought his teams to E8 and FF. Winning % in D1 is
.651. Probably earns about $1 million now, so may be affordable unless DW is in bargain basement mode.

My second choice would be Kim Barnes Arico, Michigan. She has taken two D1 teams to the SS, and MI to the E8. Steady record of very good results.

Note: That St. Johns team was in the old Big East, arguably the toughest conference at the time.

St. John's Red Storm (Big East Conference) (2002–2011)​
2002–03	St. John's	8–19	2–14	14th
2003–04	St. John's	10–18	4–12	11th
2004–05	St. John's	20–11	7–9	T–6th	WNIT Second Round
2005–06	St. John's	22–8	11–5	T–3rd	NCAA Second Round
2006–07	St. John's	8–20	4–12	12th
2007–08	St. John's	18–15	7–9	10th	WNIT Quarterfinals
2008–09	St. John's	19–15	4–12	T–13th	WNIT Third Round
2009–10	St. John's	24–6	12–4	4th	NCAA Second Round
2010–11	St. John's	22–11	9–7	T–8th	NCAA Second Round
2011–12	St. John's	24–10	13–3	T–2nd	NCAA Sweet Sixteen
St. John's:	176–134 (.568)	83–87 (.488)
Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten Conference) (2012–present)​
2012–13	Michigan	22–11	9–7	T–5th	NCAA Second Round
2013–14	Michigan	20–14	8–8	7th	WNIT Third Round
2014–15	Michigan	20–15	8–10	8th	WNIT Semifinals
2015–16	Michigan	21–14	9–9	T-7th	WNIT Semifinals
2016–17	Michigan	28–9	11–5	3rd	WNIT Champion
2017–18	Michigan	23–10	10–6	6th	NCAA Second Round
2018–19	Michigan	22–12	11–7	4th	NCAA Second Round
2019–20	Michigan	21–11	10–8	7th	Cancelled due to COVID-19
2020–21	Michigan	16–6	9–4	4th	NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2021–22	Michigan	25–7	13–4	T–3rd	NCAA Elite Eight
2022–23	Michigan	23–10	11–7	T–5th	NCAA Second Round
2023–24	Michigan	20–14	9–9	T–6th	NCAA First Round
2024–25	Michigan	23–11	11–7	T–5th	NCAA Second Round
2025–26	Michigan	27–6	15–3	T–2nd	NCAA
Michigan:	311–150 (.675)	144–94 (.605)
Total:	581–356 (.620)

Rueck? Here's his last 6 years:



No thank you

 

[wpcadetdad]

I’ll do it. I’ll throw my hat into the ring. I’d make a terrible coach, I’m sure, but my players wouldn’t get yanked the second they get the hot hand and finally score a few points, I can guarantee that much!

From a long distance away in Tx that was one of the most surprising and disappointing thing to witness. It did seem like players were getting yanked for no apparent reason other than to satisfy the hockey style approach.

 

[37620VOL]

My short list

Fortier
Kara
Walz
Brooks
Ralph
Frese

 

[spojo13]

My short list

Fortier
Kara
Walz
Brooks
Ralph
Frese

I’d add in Langley from Washington. Built Rice up and is building Washington back up. Believe she was a Frese assistant like Walz and teaches great defense.

 

[37620VOL]

Another positive on Fortier is that she has a good relationship with Big O - was recruiting her hard to Gonzaga