Topic: Next Coach for UK? (Read 17173 times)

adamspt2 · « **on:** Apr 11, 2007, 09:27:23 AM »

Any guesses?

erinc · « **Reply #1 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 09:36:22 AM »

Stackhouse is my guess. Otherwise, I think Mitch goes national.

Ville Cat · « **Reply #2 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 09:40:21 AM »

Mitch doesn't need to go national. Stackhouse may not want to pressure. Take quality available assistant(s) in the area. Martin Clapp (Purdue) Greg Collins (formerly of Louisville) Nikki Caldwell (Tennessee)

Going national would delay securing recruits during the signing period. We already saw how long it took to get Billy G. hired.

Just a thought.

kyjumper · « **Reply #3 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 10:43:48 AM »

I think for continuity sake, Pam Stackhouse would be the logical first choice. With extensive success at Purdue as an assistant, before joining Kentucky, she comes to the table with some of the same success measures as did DeMosss. She was an assistant for the Boilermakers while winning the national title in '99 and runner-up in '01. They were also 1 win away from the final four again in '03, being defeated by UConn.

As an assistant at UK, she has headed the guard play, which accounts for 55% of UK's productive scoring. She is familiar with all of the new recruits, which should eliminate any possibility of players choosing to transfer or reneg on their LOI's. Pam may not have that orange glow behind her, but a coach is more than just where she came from. And if anyone ever watches her on the bench during a game, you would know she is ready to be sitting in the driver seat of a major program.

Since UK has already signed all of it's players for next years recruiting class, the new coach will not have the immediate pressure that Billy G had coming into the men's program. Unlike Tubby, Mickie is leaving the program in the condition a coach SHOULD leave it in when departing. She has everything in tact, and there are no loose ends on recruiting or fan unity hanging around that need to be addressed. If anything, this shows her respect for our program and the university, by having waited until Mitch found a new mens coach before making the announcement. I think she and the athletic department are doing this the right way by announcing the day before the "Hoopla" so that we fans have a chance to thank her and say goodbye with the appreciation she greatly deserves.

Thank you Mickie D. Your tireless effort and committment have been greatly appreciated. And just like the win over Tennessee last year, you will never be forgotten and will always be held with high regard for bringing life back into this program. javascript:void(0);javascript:void(0);

ChattyKat · « **Reply #4 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 10:50:10 AM »

What about Niya Butts ?

ukwebguy · « **Reply #5 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 10:50:38 AM »

Quote from: kyjumper on Apr 11, 2007, 10:43:48 AM

I think she and the athletic department are doing this the right way by announcing the day before the "Hoopla" so that we fans have a chance to thank her and say goodbye with the appreciation she greatly deserves.

The Hoopla has been postponed until further notice. The women's basketball office will be contacting those that RSVP'd

adamspt2 · « **Reply #6 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 03:10:13 PM »

Possibilities so far...

Pam Stackhouse
Niya Butts
Vonn Read
Mathew Mitchell
Martin Clapp
Greg Collins
Nikki Caldwell
Carolyn Peck

I believe Mitch is committed to the program. I think from a financial standpoint, he'll go after someone he thinks he can get for approximately what he was paying DeMoss.

General33 · « **Reply #7 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 03:26:01 PM »

I think a good choice would be Mathew Mitchell, Coach Butts, Or Stack. I think the that it would be a logical choice. Greg Collins, who by the way is a close friend of mine, would be great to bring in to join the staff. Martin Clapp is a good friend and he would do a good job. But for my money, get one who has been part of this rebuilding. I'm not sure Stack would even want the Head job and Coach Butts has been in Coaching 5 yrs. I do like Coach Butts energy level and I think she would do a good job.

scottpittman · « **Reply #8 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 05:42:51 PM »

If the university is going to choose someone currently on staff, the only person that I personally see moving the team forward is Niya Butts. I love her energy and the relationships she has with the team and think she does an excellent job recruiting. I haven't really seen much out of the other two assistants, so Butts is my pick. Im not sure who else is available and I don't really know any other team's assistants so who knows. Should be interesting.

webby33 · « **Reply #9 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 08:27:30 PM »

In all honesty, I love the assistants. But, if we want to keep moving forward and become a top 20 program, we need to go after someone with head coaching experience and NCAA tourney head coaching experience. Someone who has proven themselves. And, UK needs to pony up $$$$ wise if that's what it takes.

Carolyn Peck might not be a bad choice, but something caused her team at Florida to unravel, so she is iffy. I'll even throw out Pokey Chatman, if she comes forward and explains publicly what happened at LSU. I believe in second chances if you've admitted your wrongdoing...not to mention we don't even know positively that she did anything wrong. There are plenty of good head coaches out there that have led their smaller schools to the NCAA and would jump at the chance to be in the SEC and at UK.

webby33 · « **Reply #10 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 08:45:58 PM »

And I just realized I'm gonna need a name change!

ukhoopsatmemorial · « **Reply #11 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 08:59:30 PM »

One coach familiar to us is the Bowling Green coach. Unfortunatley, that coach signed a new contract today.

JBnTN · « **Reply #12 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 09:11:25 PM »

Would Holly Warlick be considered or is her situation too close to what Mickie's was?

Niya Butts will make a fine HC in time, but has she had time to gain experience and intimate knowledge of all of the facets of being a HC?

I agree that continuity is most important. The program has reached this level a few times in the past only to drop back due to major changes. After 4 years, the foundation is still very fragile. Sustaining the progress already made is my greatest hope.

ukhoopsatmemorial · « **Reply #13 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 09:17:41 PM »

If you can hit a home run with a hire, continuity would mean NOTHING!

ICBluePeople · « **Reply #14 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 09:27:14 PM »

Kentucky needs to make a statement with this hire, much like they did when they hired DeMoss. It has to show they mean business.

erinc · « **Reply #15 on:** Apr 11, 2007, 10:14:32 PM »

JB -

I think the Warlick situation would be too close / similar to Mickie.

As I said, I'd like to see Stack get a shot having been around her some. Like General said though, not sure she would want it. After that, I'm not sure other than contract extensions don't mean squat when it comes to luring a coach away.

ChattyKat · « **Reply #16 on:** Apr 12, 2007, 10:17:49 AM »

Niya Butts

ICBluePeople · « **Reply #17 on:** Apr 12, 2007, 11:10:58 AM »

I agree that Niya would be a great head coach.

What does everyone think about Melanie Balcomb?

ChattyKat · « **Reply #18 on:** Apr 12, 2007, 11:29:53 AM »

Quote from: ICBluePeople on Apr 12, 2007, 11:10:58 AM

I agree that Niya would be a great head coach.

What does everyone think about Melanie Balcomb?

Balcomb did a good job at Vandy this year. She seems to have finally put it all together. That being said, I wonder if we wouldn't be better off hiring from within the program? Considering the way this all came down(shock to the players, recruits, etc) I wonder if it wouldn't be better to have some continuity with the direction the program was going in? This is such a unique situation I don't know what would be best.

Ville Cat · « **Reply #19 on:** Apr 12, 2007, 11:32:51 AM »

Coach Balcomb was interviewed for the Michigan position. Also, based on Vandy's re-structuring (elimination) of the Athletics department, I could see why someone may want to move. Good suggestion!!

Here's another fire-pot-- Rick Insell of MTSU. Love him or hate him, he has done a great job recruiting Kentucky talent and getting them to play an up tempo style. Granted, his home is the Shelbyville/Murfeesboro region, he has done alot with less in a very short amount of time.

ICBluePeople · « **Reply #20 on:** Apr 12, 2007, 12:04:23 PM »

I knew Balcomb had interviewed for that job, so she is a least considering other options.

scottpittman · « **Reply #21 on:** Apr 12, 2007, 06:16:15 PM »

Nice idea Ville-cat. I'd add him to my list of possibilities. Balcomb, not a good fit in my opinion. I still like Niya Butts for our program, but honestly don't see any of the other assistants being what we need. Someone earlier said we need experience to keep moving forward, experience from a head coach with NCAA credentials. I think I agree with that. We are still somewhat of a fragile program and need to make a hire that we KNOW will keep us moving forward. I think RECRUITING is currently the biggest concern, as we have to get topnotch talent to compete in this conference. I just don't know if Stack can take us any further than we already are. Of course that is just my theory.

Finsup · « **Reply #22 on:** Apr 12, 2007, 11:17:59 PM »

OMG, I am having flashbacks. Will somebody wake me when this is over? I don't think I can handle another coaching search so soon. :eusa_doh:

erinc · « **Reply #23 on:** Apr 14, 2007, 10:26:55 AM »

It appears obvious from the LHL article that Niya is putting her name in the hat. Matthew Mitchell's name is flying around a lot and apparently Insell's name is popping up also. A poster on KSR claims Matthew is the 2nd choice right now and choice #1 will let Mitch know on Tuesday of their decision. Another claims he will be the hc.

Anyone hearing anything?

webby33 · « **Reply #24 on:** Apr 14, 2007, 02:29:47 PM »

I wouldn't agree with Mitchell. But, with who Florida just hired after saying they were going after a big name proves to me that maybe no big names are wanting to move.

I like Balcomb. Also, Joanne P. although sounds like she turned down Florida while they were going for Geno. Anybody think Kentucky is willing to pay $400,000-$500,000 for a proven coach?

Author Topic: Next Coach for UK? (Read 17173 times)

scottpittman

scottpittman