Oh, What Could Have Been!

[jbgood57]

We cry and bemoan the loss of Kim, Nell, Gary, Kristy, and so many others that passed through the tutorage of Leon Barmore.

WHY? Those things are HISTORY. It's hard to move forward without stumbling when you continuously are looking behind you.

Why are we not reaching out and networking with them.
Are there NCAA regulations that prohibit such?
Surely, there are recruits on the radar of Baylor, Texas A&M, and Alabama, etc. that are ultimately not going to "fit" that program. Maybe there are no scholarships available or the lack of need for a particular position. Surely, they could toss us a bone every ounce in awhile.
Coach says to the recruit "I appreciate your interest in our program, but to be honest we're already deep in your position, and your playing time will be limited. If you're interested, I can make a call to Louisiana Tech which has a tremendous history of women's basketball. I can see if they have a scholarship available."

Several former players can be found coaching in high schools right here in our own back yard , so to speak. Surely, as a former Techster they're funneling players in our direction.

Here's another idea I had a few years back - why not have a Leon Barmore retreat every other year or so. Pick somewhere with a nice golf course. Spend some leisure time together. Then knuckle down for a few hours sharing game strategies and potential players, and reviewing the NCAA's latest blunders - uh I meant rule changes.

Guess there has already been NCAA rules made that prohibit that as well.

[sharky]

Sharky you are nothing but an effing idiot. You are so far up pigtail's azz you can see what she just swallowed. Keep on ignoring the facts and living in your delusional dream world.

If I am an idiot then perhaps it is the result of arguing with an idiot. When one chooses to argue with an idiot, then one usually reduces themselves to the same level as the idiot. When I debate you I notice that early on you choose to avoid my logic and resort to attacking me personally. I always find it very entertaining though.

When it comes to Kim Mulkey, you always fail to display an iota of common sense that most of us were born with. Have you ever chosen to change employers?

[dawg80]

If I am an idiot then perhaps it is the result of arguing with an idiot. When one chooses to argue with an idiot, then one usually reduces themselves to the same level as the idiot. When I debate you I notice that early on you choose to avoid my logic and resort to attacking me personally. I always find it very entertaining though.

When it comes to Kim Mulkey, you always fail to display an iota of common sense that most of us were born with. Have you ever chosen to change employers?

Wow! you really are an idiot, or pretending to be one just for the sake of argument. Either way the facts do not change: pigtails stabbed her alma mater in the back. Period. End of story. No even subject to debate. It is a historical fact!

BTW, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. That is also a historical fact. I'm sure some idiot like you could find a way to exonerate the Nips, excusing their behavior, but it wouldn't change the historic fact of the attack.

[HogDawg]

We cry and bemoan the loss of Kim, Nell, Gary, Kristy, and so many others that passed through the tutorage of Leon Barmore.

WHY? Those things are HISTORY. It's hard to move forward without stumbling when you continuously are looking behind you.

Why are we not reaching out and networking with them.
Are there NCAA regulations that prohibit such?
Surely, there are recruits on the radar of Baylor, Texas A&M, and Alabama, etc. that are ultimately not going to "fit" that program. Maybe there are no scholarships available or the lack of need for a particular position. Surely, they could toss us a bone every ounce in awhile.
Coach says to the recruit "I appreciate your interest in our program, but to be honest we're already deep in your position, and your playing time will be limited. If you're interested, I can make a call to Louisiana Tech which has a tremendous history of women's basketball. I can see if they have a scholarship available."

Several former players can be found coaching in high schools right here in our own back yard , so to speak. Surely, as a former Techster they're funneling players in our direction.

Here's another idea I had a few years back - why not have a Leon Barmore retreat every other year or so. Pick somewhere with a nice golf course. Spend some leisure time together. Then knuckle down for a few hours sharing game strategies and potential players, and reviewing the NCAA's latest blunders - uh I meant rule changes.

Guess there has already been NCAA rules made that prohibit that as well.

I'm continually astounded as to how far the "proud" Lady Techster network of former coaches, players, alumni and administrators have let the program fall. This just doesn't happen at most schools....at least not like this. It's almost as if when Kim Mulkey left for the Baylor job, everyone else baled on the program too. Including Leon Barmore. Yeah, I know that Leon wanted to retire at age 57 or 58, but sometimes you gotta put in a little extra time to take care of business.

The Lady Techsters truly have a proud history. They own 3 national championships, have made 13 Final Four appearances, produced 3 Wade Trophy winners, 5 Olympic medalists, 16 All-Americans, 21 WNBA players and they have 8 members in the Women's BB Hall of Fame. They also still have the 3rd best all-time winning percentage in NCAA history. More importantly, that's a lot of depth in the Lady Techster "alumni ranks"...enough to protect the program going forward for many years to come. You would think that these alumni of former players & coaches would do ANYTHING to protect this wonderful legacy. But unfortunately, they haven't.

Former Head Coach Sonja Hogg owns two of those NC's with the Lady Techsters, and was inducted into the Women's BB Hall of Fame back in 2009. Where is she now? Where are those 16 All-Americans, and 21 WNBA players? And the 8 members of the Women's BB Hall of Fame? Yeah, I know some make "guest appearances" every few years or so.....but why aren't any of them looking out for the program? It's THEIR legacy.

[sharky]

Wow! you really are an idiot, or pretending to be one just for the sake of argument. Either way the facts do not change: pigtails stabbed her alma mater in the back. Period. End of story. No even subject to debate. It is a historical fact!

BTW, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. That is also a historical fact. I'm sure some idiot like you could find a way to exonerate the Nips, excusing their behavior, but it wouldn't change the historic fact of the attack.

I noticed that you again chose to ignore my question regarding whether you have ever changed employers. I was woefully negligent when I drafted my simple question though. I should have asked if you have ever voluntarily left an employer. The more you proffer illogical responses to my replies causes me to seriously wonder if perhaps one or more of your employers have chosen to part company with you. The FACT is that Kim chose to change employers. It is your OPINION that in so doing she stabbed Tech in the back. Now you are certainly entitled to your OPINION, but you are not entitled to call your OPINION a FACT.

Since you refused to say yes or no to my simple question would it be correct for me to assume that you have been employed by more than one employer during your career? I have, but I never felt that I was stabbing my former employer when I left to pursue a better opportunity. Neither did my employer. There were also times when I was offered jobs that I respectfully declined because I was content where I was. I can't help but believe that Kim did likewise because she was Leon's assistant for so many years. Many of his former assistants did choose to leave. An earlier post listed several that, like Kim, went on to be successful as head coaches. Yet you never chastise nor denigrate them.

Here is another question that you will probably refuse to answer. Exactly how many job offer refusals would you require from Kim in order to forgive her for the one time she accepted? Of course for those of us that reach conclusions with logic and not emotion, there isn't a number. However, for you there just may be one.

[sharky]

I'm continually astounded as to how far the "proud" Lady Techster network of former coaches, players, alumni and administrators have let the program fall. This just doesn't happen at most schools....at least not like this. It's almost as if when Kim Mulkey left for the Baylor job, everyone else baled on the program too. Including Leon Barmore. Yeah, I know that Leon wanted to retire at age 57 or 58, but sometimes you gotta put in a little extra time to take care of business.

The Lady Techsters truly have a proud history. They own 3 national championships, have made 13 Final Four appearances, produced 3 Wade Trophy winners, 5 Olympic medalists, 16 All-Americans, 21 WNBA players and they have 8 members in the Women's BB Hall of Fame. They also still have the 3rd best all-time winning percentage in NCAA history. More importantly, that's a lot of depth in the Lady Techster "alumni ranks"...enough to protect the program going forward for many years to come. You would think that these alumni of former players & coaches would do ANYTHING to protect this wonderful legacy. But unfortunately, they haven't.

Former Head Coach Sonja Hogg owns two of those NC's with the Lady Techsters, and was inducted into the Women's BB Hall of Fame back in 2009. Where is she now? Where are those 16 All-Americans, and 21 WNBA players? And the 8 members of the Women's BB Hall of Fame? Yeah, I know some make "guest appearances" every few years or so.....but why aren't any of them looking out for the program? It's THEIR legacy.

Since Leon retired for good the succeeding coaches have been Curt Bduke, Chris Long, Teresa Weatherspoon and now Brooke. Budke left so quick that there was little time for anyone to help him. It may have been very difficult to "call in any chits" on behalf of the Long and Weatherspoon--neither of which had any previous head coaching experience. The jury is still very much out on Brooke, but I hope that she can succeed in a big way.

[FriscoDog]

I think most close to the athletic department don't agree with that at all. Especially now that more and more has surfaced over the years about what transpired in the days immediately before she left.

Reneau had his faults. Some of what went on within the athletic department during his tenure would want to make you cry. But the situation with Kim isn't one of them. For two decades the women's basketball budget at Tech, when factoring in camp and shoe money, was more than the men's budget at Tech.

In negotiations, Kim was offered $300K a year in salary but was also told the women's basketball budget was not going to grow anytime in the near future. She agreed to that with Reneau and Oakes but then privately fumed. It got to point that it was clear that if she stayed she would have caused turmoil with the department and university. She was as competitive a person as I've ever met. The program slipping out of the Top 10 and then eventually the Top 25 would have eaten her alive.

Can anyone here imagine what it would have been like if she had to deal with Dooley.

As I said Reneau had his faults. The situation with Kim isn't one of them.

So are you saying that she should have "known her place" in the pecking order of the athletics department?

[dawg80]

Choose one scenario A or B:

A) Barmore goes to Oakes and Reneau and informs them of his intention to retire. Tells them both that Assistant Coach (or was she Associate Head Coach? I don't remember...) Kim Mulkey has spent 19 years being groomed and he, Barmore, strongly recommends Mulkey be promoted to Head Coach. Oakes shrugs and says, okay by me. But Reneau says, nah, she has no Head Coach experience, and I think we should look elsewhere. Barmore, and to a lesser extent Oakes, protests, but Reneau reminds them both that he, as President of the university, is the only one who can hire & fire. Reneau then orders a committee be formed to conduct a national search and oh, by the way, Mulkey is welcomed to throw her hat in the ring if she wants to, but won't get any special consideration. Baylor offers her the HC position, and feeling dissed by Reneau (and Tech by extension), she decides not to pursue the Tech job and heads to Whacko! Texas.

B) Barmore goes to Oakes and Reneau and informs them of his intention to retire. Tells them both that Assistant Coach (or was she Associate Head Coach? I don't remember...) Kim Mulkey has spent 19 years being groomed and he, Barmore, strongly recommends Mulkey be promoted to Head Coach. Oakes shrugs and says, okay by me. Reneau says awesome! And asks Oakes, as AD, to put together an offer package. Oakes comes back with a 4-year guaranteed contract, at $300,000/year make Mulkey the highest paid coach on campus, higher than the MBB HC and even the Football HC. Wow! AND! paying her MORE than Barmore ever made per year. (talk about a major slap in the face of a legend!) But, Barmore says nothing and goes along with it. Then...OMG! Mulkey starts making additional demands! One of the most quoted is: she wanted a 5-year guaranteed contract to assure she would be vested in the Louisiana State Retirement System (either TRSL or Lazer). But! she was already vested after just her first 5 years of employment and her retirement would be based on her THREE highest earnings/year and worse case! she would have 23 years at $300K. GUARANTEED!

Okay, now, which scenario happened, A or B?

[dawg80]

Crickets...

[glm47]

The Mulkey deal is one of the few times I supported a Reneau decision.

Kim made an ass of herself when Alana Beard was here on a recruiting trip. Showed a total lack of maturity.

Tech’s offer was sufficient, between salary and the camp she would have easily knocked down $400k-$500k.

She would have never been happy here because there was not going to be enough financial support to keep up.

[skilldawg]

Here is the answer for The Lady Techster woes.

Get ahead of the Transgender thing NOW. Go over to Lambright and sign 5 “transgenders” who are still testosterone filled. UCONN will never know what hit them.

Well actually they might, “transgenders” are beginning to dominate female high school sports throughout the Northeast, particularly in the track and field events.

All that is necessary to compete is that they “identify” as female. I suspect somebody can coach em up to make them eligible and I bet we have just the right politically correct AD to push this thing through.

[HogDawg]

When I read the ignorant statements from some of you people, I just want to scream, "so how is that decision working out for ya?"

And glm47, you really showed her, huh? As the old saying goes, even if you were truly stupid enough to agree with Dan Reneau's decision at the time, don't be dumb enough to admit it today.

It is a widely known fact that Dan Reneau insulted Mulkey by demanding a national coaching search to replace Leon Barmore. This, despite knowing he already had one of the best women's BB coaches --and one of the best recruiters ON THE PLANET-- already locked and loaded in Ruston. Never mind she was loyal, and had been here for 15 years as a top Asst coach, and our best recruiter. AND she had Barmore's recommendation. Yep, all Reneau had to do was NOT screw it up.

But alas, THIS is LA Tech, and Reneau screwed it up when he refused to give he a 5-yr contract. (We've been over this a thousand times.) That's it. It's just a very sad fact....for LOUISIANA TECH.

Is it really that hard to believe that the same school that screwed itself out of a bowl bid in 2012, screwed this up too?
Is it really hard to believe that the same school that managed to become the laughing stock of college football in 2018 --by losing 87-yds on one single play-- screwed this up too?
Is it really that hard to believe that the same school that failed to schedule Kansas and BYU for home football games in Ruston when they had the opportunity, screwed up this negotiation too?

Nope.

In Women's BB circles, LA Tech will always be known for 2 things: 1) An incredible 25-yr run at the top of the game, and 2) the school that foolishly ran off HALL OF FAME coach Kim Mulkey. You just can't make this stuff up.

[HogDawg]

Here is the answer for The Lady Techster woes.

Get ahead of the Transgender thing NOW. Go over to Lambright and sign 5 “transgenders” who are still testosterone filled. UCONN will never know what hit them.

Well actually they might, “transgenders” are beginning to dominate female high school sports throughout the Northeast, particularly in the track and field events.

All that is necessary to compete is that they “identify” as female. I suspect somebody can coach em up to make them eligible and I bet we have just the right politically correct AD to push this thing through.

Ask D80 if she has any college eligibility left. She could easily identify as a female.

[skilldawg]

Ask D80 if she has any college eligibility left. She could easily identify as a female.

.... identification, yes... testosterone.... hum

[HogDawg]

.... identification, yes... testosterone.... hum