As a huge UCONN fan I would like to see Gino continue coaching beyond the graduation of Bueckers. He has also hinted that he would continue to coaching if his recruiting classes are top notched which they currently are although I would love to see them go to emphasizing the recruitment of athleticism and doing much better in the NY state area. When Geno leaves I think CD will leave at the same time. I would love seeing Carla Barube succeed him whenever he decides to leave bc she has been so dam successful at Princeton and Tufts University. ND is a good example where the transition from a successful icon to a new coach has been seamless.
I love this message. Yes. I want UConn to turn New York into a recruiting stronghold. Maybe the next coach can do it? Less international players and more New York players. I would love to see that. I can’t believe UConn didn’t really pursue Swords, Koval, or Heckel out of Long Island Lutheran. And I think that is absolutely crazy! Major mistake.
I hope Geno goes until 75 or Title number 12, whichever comes first. If CD wants it, she should get the job. If she doesn't want it, none of the others on the current coaching staff has enough of a winning pedigree. My first choice would be someone from the UConn family. Shea Ralph is the logical choice, followed by Carla Berube. The only way to semi insulate the program from the nearly inevitable post legend decline is to bring in the next head coach a year early and have them act as head coach in waiting. This would allow Geno recruits to get comfortable with the change and give the program plenty of time to figure out which players are likely to transfer. If there's a premature departure due to illness or one dozen Natties, then UConn has to convince CD to take reins for at least one season and begin the search for a permanent replacement.
I want Geno to announce before a season when he decides. I am concerned about transfer portal exits when he leaves. And I think if the players know all season he is leaving and they know what the succession plan is… it makes them more likely to stay. I don’t want Geno to go the same way Tara did.
I think that’s the best way to leave give the players a decision at the end of the day they went to UConn for Geno if he leaves they should have a choice in wether they want to leave or not
I think players kinda knew at stanford because of the pac 12 death and stanford joining acc.. Time for exit. It would be nice if geno did it early but most colleges dont like u doing that..
Why retire.?. I.m 74 still running my business. Enjoying my business success. Geno's a young 70, at least 5 more years. It's about enjoying your journey, and the talent he's getting, it.ll be fun for all. Don't retire Geno. No one can replace you, not what you and your team of coaches do. Delegate! Major importance continue, and improve whereever, Create a High level of recruiting .
That sounds like a good idea. That would give all of us a chance to adjust, but obviously there is no real replacement for Geno. I don't see how Shea Ralph would work out well. But, Jamelle Elliott has been with the UCONN system for quite sometime. Just because you were a UCONN player and then a coach for a team that didn't get to the Final Four, doesn't mean you can replace Geno. It's going to be difficult. And, I do think Chris will leave at the same time.
I could definitely see it being Jamelle Elliott or Shea Ralph. It wouldn't make sense for UConn to hire a random coach with no UConn experience. I think they would want someone who had a lot of experience with Geno so they could carry on some of his knowledge and coaching methods. Tennessee obviously decided to go out of the family because of desperation. They tried to make it work with the family twice but miserably failed so they had to turn to someone who was having current success in hopes of bringing that success to Tennessee.
@@TheDisruptiveOne I think you're right except it's too much of an unknown to risk it with a completely new coach. Sure, it could work out amazing but at the same time it could also be really bad, especially with recruiting. If you look at Tennessee, you have a good point but you could make the same argument for other schools such as Duke with their men's team. they went with a former player and he hasn't done too bad in his first 2 years.
I think geno and CD are a package deal. I don’t think any of the current assistants get promoted. I could see Berube as an option or the coach at Fairfield who’s had huge success there and might want to take a step up
I hadn't heard that Auriemma's absence 2 years ago was a coronary problem. And I was a little surprised to hear that Dailey is 5-6 years younger than Auriemma. Auriemma is at an age when he could need to step aside suddenly; if that were to happen in the next year or 2 then I suspect Dailey would step in immediately, and if she liked the top job I could then see her keeping it for a half-decade. I do suspect UConn would try and maintain continuity by giving an opportunity to succeed him to Dailey or Elliot. After that, a lot depends on how the team fares. It's not easy to thrive at a place where the expectations are so high.
There have Been so many good coaching prospects to pick from to follow Geno, from the ranks of former players. As far as CD is concerned, I think her and Geno have always been a package deal, so I think when he retires, so will she. Now, from that point, I see UConn is a legacy program and always will be. Unlike the Men's Side, the Women's side has spawned a plethora of Coaching gems, Elliot, Rizzotti, Ralph, and Berube as examples of note. Ive been ruminating on this for short while, and to me, without going into specifics, I fall upon Carla Berube being the best choice. I refuse to compare among these UConn alum, I love them all. Berube just hits me right. I'm sure any of them will do well, i just think Carlac is the hands down best to continue the program.
I agree with a number of points made: 1. Don‘t see Strong having committed if he was likely gone after one year; 2. I do think he and CD are a package deal; 3. Although I think it could be a huge distraction, I think it might be better for continuity for all to know in advance - but Geno is unlikely to like having season that turns out to be all about him; and 4. I think Berube or Shea is more likely, though I think someone like Megan Duffy or Carly Thibault-DuDonis could be a candidate too. I wish you‘d offered an opinion instead of just asking for ours…
Ok I will give you it. IMO he will stay until 75-76yrs. when he retires, I think UConn will go in family and it will hurt them much like TN. If they remain in the Big East that will hurt them as well. Hard to see UConn being UConn in the Big East as only think Big Ten and SEC will get stronger and stronger. so when he retires and if they remain in big east if will be a slowly steady fall over 4 years and it will be good if they make sweet 16. Harsh but that is what I think and hence why I did not give my opinion.
@@back2sports988 Ok, thanks…valuable to hear. I tend to think they need to shoot for young and quality rather than just looking most for continuity…and sounds like you too think that continuity-searching is unlikely to yield a good result.
Are you delusional ? This past year Vandy's schedule consisted of teams 75% no better than Division 2 or Div 3. The few decent teams they played smoked them. The only significant game I considered a good win was against Iowa State in the South Point Shootout in Las Vegas. Of the teams worthy of being Div 1. They lost to South Carolina, Tennessee, NC State, Baylor, Florida and LSU. Of the coaches not currently on the UCONN staff. There is only one qualified coach that deserves a chance at leading the Huskies into the future. That is none other than Carla Berube. Berube played at UCONN and has UCONN HUSKY BLUE BLOOD in her veins. While coaching at Tufts her record was 384-96 (.800). While currently the coach of Princeton. 100-17 (.855). Personally I do not want to see Geno retire for another 5 years. Carla Berube took two trash barrel teams and made them respectable.
Been my opinion for a few years now along with CD. IMO Geno has had enough of NIL, more importantly the portal. He has stated several times over the past few seasons that building relationships was a priority and that no longer exists. Geno is old school and that process just does not work anymore. Replacement IMO will be in house. As far as CD I have always had the feeling she wants no part of being a head coach, based on her comments when she has to fil in when Geno is absent. I would like to see Maya.
Interesting topic. Agree with one viewer who stated Strong would not have committed if she thought Geno would retire. I too think they will look hard at former players or assistant coaches. Niele Ivey is a success at ND. Kelly would have worked out at TN with a little more time. Will be interesting to see to see what happens when Geno retires.
The difference I think with Geno and like a Pat Summit retirement, Muffet, or Tara is that Geno is still signing top players out of high school more than anyone else. You would think since UConn hasn’t won a championship since 2016 the new generation wouldn’t still view it the same way other top players use to and that’s just not the truth if you look at his signings. Yes not all good players are just going to UConn anymore but alot of them still are. since 2016. he’s signed Megan Walker, Christyn Williams, Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Sarah Strong. that’s five top recruits in nine years. That’s why I think it’s hard for him to walk away. I think he still likes proving that he can still get any kid he wants, even though narrative pushers swear kids don’t still wanna play at UConn. I thought the Strong signing would be key to the direction of if these younger kids really still look at UConn the same especially when SC got into the hunt for Strong. With SC being kinda the hot spot right now. I thought SC stealing her away would be almost like Geno stealing Maya away from Tennessee at the last second. Tennessee recruiting wise never recovered from that if you really think about it. But these kids still wanna be coached by Geno and I think that’s what genuinely is keeping him in it. I don’t think Geno cares about competing with Dawn or some of the younger coaches because he knows those aren’t his contemporaries. Tara, Muffet, and Pat were. So I don’t think he’s still coaching for titles. He’s coaching for the players at this point imo.
I'd suggest that if Geno leaves on his own timetable, that CD will probably go with him. However, if Geno leaves suddenly - like due to a health issue - I think CD would take over and maybe stick around for a couple years to smooth the transition. Just a thought.
One factor that I think will keep him around longer than people expect is that he and his family (including his grandchildren) are very tied to the local area and he has stated he has no intentions to move. When you know you're planning on living 20 minutes away until you die instead of moving to Florida, that makes it easier to say you might as well keep the job while you're healthy.
I think they're a package unless they can't get a successor lined up as they want. Then I think she would be a transition coach for 2-3 years. If it isn't Jamille or Morgan, then it will be Shea Ralph or Carla Berube (or another former player that comes along as a coach in the next several years.) I would lean toward Shea because of recruiting. I think there is obviously some recruiting at Princeton, but academics come first there, and talent is a bonus. Whereas Shea has rebuilt Vandy's program so she obviously learned SOME recruiting techniques. But I'm hopeful we have several more years of Geno (and hope I'm around to enjoy them :-)
That's what I predicted when Page said she was staying for another year. It's unlikely that the team after Page will be better than next season's team. I think CD deserves a shot if she wants it.
CD will retire when Geno retires. However, she may stay for one or two seasons to bring in the new coach and teach him/her the way they want things to run [up to a certain point].
The coach at Louisville, JEFF WALZ, was at UCONN recently and said he wants to replace Geno. I think he would fit in well at UCONN. I haven't seen that Ralph is a winning coach? What has his her team won?
He’s coached so many years. An amazing coach, obviously. But live your post- coaching life and give a talented younger(well, middle aged) coach a chance to head such a storied program.
As far as I know, Geno's contract runs through 2025. I don't think he has long left, he said in an interview earlier this year he would never be the top in wins, that would be Tara; of course she has since retired. But it gives an insight that he has a an exit plan. With the new recruiting class, what are his commitments to them? We'll see, but I could see Shea or Jemelle taking over. I would say Jen Rizzoti but she is doing fine in the WNBA
When Geno retires I think CD will, too. Tanya will be a great choice for Head Coach with Janelle as Assistant Coach. There’s a reason the job posting, when Shea left, was VERY specific to match Tanya’s resume exactly.
I am not sure CD wants to be a full time head coach.. pretty certain she would have gotten a HC job somewhere by now if she wanted it. I am sure Geno's retirement will be something he and CD will decide together when the time comes. As far as when and who should replace them.. who knows.. too much will depend on who is available and the circumstances at the time.
i think if uconn doesn’t win a championship this year he may just call it and retire in the offseason kinda like how tara did this year but if uconn wins it all next season then i think he stays one more year does a farewell tour then retires with azzi leaving and possibly winning sarah one more championship
UConn will have 12 previous McDonalds All Americans on their roster next year. As long as Geno is recruiting classes like this, I don’t see him retiring until he’s at least 75. If they can stay healthy there are potentially 2-3 more Natty’s in those classes.
In a press conference he had something in the vain that he’ll stop coaching when he doesn’t have exciting players to coach. If Sarah is as advertised and he gets Olivia, I don’t see him retiring as soon as people think.
Thought a read a few years ago that Megan Duffy would be considered as Geno's successor. Which would pain me as a Notre Dame fan. Don't get me wrong I want Niele Ivey to be Irish coach for life, but should Niele ever want to leave (like to coach her son in the NBA) then Megan would be the one I'd want to replace her.
shea ralph is the obviously choice for geno’s successor but with vanderbilt success and growth i wonder if she’d even want to come back anymore. she’s building something special at vandy and if they continue to progress year by year like they have so far she could have a serious final 4 contender in the coming years and it’d be hard to leave a program you’ve built from the ground up and have had success at
I think we have to remember way back to 1985 and CD & Geno were being interviewed for the head coach job...Geno says when he's done, he's done...Really?..I don't know if that's all true...Uconn and the ladies that have come thru this program are a part of him...His facial expression on senior night as Paige made the announcement of her return, tells it all...He was born for the job...Would CD take over for Geno as head coach?..Wow...We know she can do the job, but would she?..How do you take over a program after a legend like Geno is...But Geno is not Geno without CD...Then that question is is CD, CD without Geno...CD does not like the post game interviews, that's clear...If CD does move into the position, who takes CD's place?..If you go in house then Elliott has the experience, but did not do well while at Cincy...Maybe not her fault, but...I dunno to be honest...I can see Geno & CD staying a package and going out together...Yet then again, I can see her taking the position, but I see Geno in the back ground...If I had to put money on it, I'd say they go as a package and make one huge splash...More times than not, once such a coach leaves, seldom do you see and assistant who replaces that coach, succeed...So where do you look?..Carla, Jenn, and Shea are good where they are, but ya stay in state and look at Fairfield University...Carly Thibault DuDonis would be on my radar and start fresh...No one can replace Geno & CD, but who will try...These great coaches have something called "IT"...They just have it...DuDonis may very well have IT...But for now, if health remains good for each Geno and CD, not a question we have to worry about...
Geno has referred to her as his boss...she may already have some upper echelon job at the school, (or big donor alum)... But she would be a good choice. The last couple of seasons have had me thinking Geno retires after he hits the 40 years mark..that's coming up next season. (And Shea would also be a good choice)
Geno has a full cupboard right now. He's probably really looking forward to next season, with all of his returning players plus his great recruiting class. I can't see him doing a Tara VanDerveer, and bailing on UConn after leaving the cupboard bare for the next coach. Thanks to Tara, Stanford's going to be a weak sister next year, and will take one beating after another from their opponents. Geno may leave after next season, confident that his replacement will inherit a great returning class.
@@TheDisruptiveOne Agreed. The losses of Brink and Iriafen will be devastating for Stanford. They really have no other players of that caliber, and I don't think they landed any big fish in the transfer portal. It could be a long season for Stanford.
I believe CD will go... she also had a health issue where she collapse at the beginning of a game... may had been nothing.. but I think she will leave. Whomever comes in for head coach if they try to do the same it will be disasterous.. the new coach will have to do their own thing with a touch of Geno philosophy....will be a while before they gget back to elite staus... but that is the nature of a basketball program.
Uconn is lucky. All of their assistants would make good head coaches. They all have been, and were good at it. All of them gave up a head's job to come back and coach at the program they loved for the coach they did as well. I don't have any opinion on who are when; I know it's going to happen but I don't know when at all, just like you. Health is going to be a big factor as well. One thing I will guarantee you is Uconn will stay in house until they prove it doesn't work. They'd be stupid if they didn't.
When it happens I would like to see Tonya as she has the experience and is with the team. If Shea was still there then maybe my choice but either I believe are very qualified. I also agree this person MUST be from the UC system not an outsider. CD sure for a few years to bridge the gap as well but why would she?? Take your success and go onto a new chapter. CD has nothing to prove. Wow to have someone like her by Genos side all these years is spectacular.
@@TheDisruptiveOne so lets use the phrase ideally from...... There are many good choices. Tenn didn't give Harper enough time. She was a great choice 20-13 this year and showed success and momentum. Nobody will be Geno or Pat etc...Always fail is not accurate. Sometimes fail is more in line. We are in agreement
Give me Maya Moore or Sue Bird !!! Maya Moore or Sue Bird to compete with Dawn Staley + Becky Hammon worked out pretty good for the Aces….if not them give me Shea Ralph
It’s gone hurt the recruiting none of the players they have coming in would play for UConn if Geno wasn’t their coach nowadays players come to schools for coaches unless the player wants to play for they state if he retires in 1-2 years I could see a lot of their players entering the transfer portal including Sarah
Take Stanford for example Kiki came to Stanford because of the coach when the coach retired during the end of her junior year she left she came for the coach and not the school
There were times this year when I thought he looked exhausted. I am just trying to appreciate each and every game I get to see him coach and hoping for 1 more championship.
That’s why we need Maya Moore or Sue Bird to compete with Dawn Staley + Becky Hammon worked out pretty good for the Aces….if not them Shea Ralph or Becky Hammon after she’s tired of winning Wnba championships
He will probably stay. The Paige era wasn't good enough to get a Championship so far. I think the younger players and incoming recruits will be better. I hope he can get a better trainers for his players. Those injuries are a buzz kill 🙏🏽
I’m seeing all these coaching suggestions and no one has mentioned proven winner Carla Berube. She has won big everywhere she’s been. Everyone who has coached under Geno and gone elsewhere hasn’t exactly been successful. Most of UConn’s coaching staff are failed head coaches. Sorry but I don’t want anyone on the current coaching staff. It’s between Carla and Shea for me. Depending on how Shea does this season
Also UConn is going to have a hard time recruiting post Geno era if they stay in the big east. I hope they move to a conference that takes women’s basketball seriously
If Geno is retiring after Paige… he doesn’t know it yet. Sarah strong would not have committed if he was leaving in 1 year. I don’t know who the Geno replacement should be. But giving the job to the Princeton coach or the vandy coach because they have UConn experience would be absolutely foolish. You know who didn’t have UConn experience when they were hired? Geno Auriemma. How has obsessing about Tennessee experience worked out for Tennessee? Tennessee finally went outside of that with this Caldwell hire and it looks pretty promising so far.
Exactly these recruits came to play for Geno the man who recruited them I feel he should play 4 years considering he’s has the best recruit in the nation and if he not able to get top recruits then he should retire
Geno is only two wins away from passing Stanford's Tara Vanderveer for all-time winningest basketball coach. I think he wants to win a 12th championship before he retires.
Geno is 4 wins away from being the top dog in the NCAA. Tara 45 years & 1216 wins.....Geno 39 years & 1213 wins. Tara is no better than a ham & egger compared to Geno.
I doubt he retires The rookies they got came to play for him as he was the one recruited them if he can’t play at least 1-2 seasons for them it’s hurts his loyalty to the recruits
I will throw out a name. Olivia Vukosa. Geno has said he will retire when he can no longer recruit. Strong was a player he went all out on and he landed her. Maybe that success extended his career? The next target for the next couple of years he has gone all out in is Olivia Vukosa. UConn has thrown everything at her. If they land her; it may push back geno’s retirement. If they miss. It may expedite his retirement.
Geno has signed six of the last ten #1 ESPN ranked recruits. Here are UCONN'S six #1 recruits. 2015 KLS, 2017 Megan Walker, 2018 Christyn Williams, 2020 Paige, 2021 Azzi Dudd, and 2024 Sarah Strong. Stanford has signed two. 2019 & 2022. USC 2023. No other teams have come close to Geno's recruiting. Geno's recruiting skills are not diminishing. They are continuing to get better. 🏀
She improved last year. In February and march. She really was better than she was as a freshman. Paige is keeping herself from improving more. Her inability to add mass to her physique is what is going to limit her at the next level.
@@TheDisruptiveOne All great head coaches are control freaks. Paige doesn't necessarily have to put on mass but she has to get stronger and stop being so reluctant to take over games. As Geno would would say "I want Paige taking more shots and quit deferring to her teammates"
Yep anybody under Geno does not develop. I mean he just got lucky with Diana Taurasi, Bird, Maya Moore, Stewie. so yep PB and Strong are clearly doomed as he can't coach or develop players. Hopefully in the offseason he will take some coaching courses which will help him develop better skills as a coach.
