Watching the Texas v LSU WBB game this past weekend.........

[jycww]

Reminded me of years ago when the environment was like that at La Tech! We had great coaches, an unbelievable environment, packed house, and a helluva game and team to cheer for. Now with HC and Hubby, they have effectively finished off what past coaches started, that being running the program into oblivion. I remember the first year Stoehr was named HC and she sat at our table at a Tech gathering in Houston Texas. I remember the promises made of a competitive team, a return to March playoff madness, fielding a team we could be proud of, etc. None of that has come to pass and she along with her staff have failed miserably.

My question is after they surely kick her and hubby to the curve at the end of the season, is there even a remote chance we can get this program started in the right direction again? Of course, the first order of business would be to hire a HC NOT from Northwestern, McNeese, or the Louisiana system. Here's a novel thought....... open it up nationwide to hungry assistant coaches that show promise, come from strong programs and willing to rebuild.....knowing that if we make the right choice, we will likely only keep them for 3-5 years. Do we even have a chance to rebuild or are we too far gone and might as well close down the program and just forget about it?

[OLDBLUE]

Reminded me of years ago when the environment was like that at La Tech! We had great coaches, an unbelievable environment, packed house, and a helluva game and team to cheer for. . .... I remember the first year Stoehr was named HC and she sat at our table at a Tech gathering in Houston Texas. I remember the promises made of a competitive team, a return to March playoff madness, fielding a team we could be proud of, etc. .... ..... Do we even have a chance to rebuild or are we too far gone and might as well close down the program and just forget about it?

Looks like a case where "someone" had high ambitions but failed to challenge the "offerer" to insure they support and dedicate resources to do so.
If we hire another gullible coach, we'll likely see the same results. Bring the heat or go somewhere else if there is no will to win.
Contrast this to the history of this board. Just my opinion

[LT]

Yes we can rebuild.

[Blue Dawg]

Yes we can rebuild.

I know I'm often a doomer but I'm not sure we can. I'm not sure anyone could in our situation.

Money is extremely tight, so we're not exactly any coach's first choice.
Top talent for girls is not nearly as widely distributed as for guys, the actual athletes get snapped up immediately by the Top 10 programs whereas for the guys there's still a chance to get a good player.
Add to that WBB is not and should not be a priority over everything else to fix on campus (honestly athletics overall should not be).

[DallasDog]

I know I'm often a doomer but I'm not sure we can. I'm not sure anyone could in our situation.

Money is extremely tight, so we're not exactly any coach's first choice.
Top talent for girls is not nearly as widely distributed as for guys, the actual athletes get snapped up immediately by the Top 10 programs whereas for the guys there's still a chance to get a good player.
Add to that WBB is not and should not be a priority over everything else to fix on campus (honestly athletics overall should not be).

You are right academics and the overall university should come first. We all know athletics at almost every university has held disproportionate sway. Those times may be coming to somewhat of an end in the current climate of college athleitcs. The haves (of which there are only 40 or so) are exponentially ahead of everyone else, that means lots of schools are really going to have to take a hard look at where they are and where that can sustain any athletic programs. When they do, if they are smart they will prioritize the sports with the highest potential ROI or ability to break even and go from there.

[Blue Dawg]

You are right academics and the overall university should come first. We all know athletics at almost every university has held disproportionate sway. Those times may be coming to somewhat of an end in the current climate of college athleitcs. The haves (of which there are only 40 or so) are exponentially ahead of everyone else, that means lots of schools are really going to have to take a hard look at where they are and where that can sustain any athletic programs. When they do, if they are smart they will prioritize the sports with the highest potential ROI or ability to break even and go from there.

This is currently illegal. Schools with money to waste can afford to follow the rules, but our margins are too slim.

[DallasDog]

Its not illegal to broadcast men's basketball or baseball on the radio over a women's broadcast when the games overlap. Its not illegal to present a winning program face forward to the public if you have them. Budgets, scheduling, etc. are not equal, you can't penalize a program, but you can prioritize. You have to provide the same amount of opportunities for the athletes. There are all kinds of ways to work within the rules to maximize what you get for what you are spending, and to generate possible new revenues. Its done all the time at schools our size, not just P4. I have worked with people all over the collegiate landscape, we don't try. We live in the past, and at the rate we are going we will be a memory.

Ex. Title IX in part states that male and female athletes receive equal treatment for publicity and promotions. That could mean an equal number of broadcast games, that doesn't mean you broadcast a mediocre to bad programs game over a competitive or winning programs game. Which we historically do because from the 70's to the 2000's they were great. They aren't anymore.

Obviously, the same amounts don't have to be spent on each program either. it states proportional to participation is scholarships, after that equitable. Tons of things to do within the NCAA rules not just Title IX etc. that maximize/prioritize your best programs to hopefully generate revenue or break even. I spent the afternoon recently with the people who are in part responsible for overseeing the NIL and compliance for several of our women's teams here at UT, it's amazing at how many levels we drop the ball, things that don't require UT's budget.

I have spent a lot of time working around Title XI, educational law, and athletics and there are all kinds of things we could be doing that we don't, plain and simple.