Food for Thought: Geno Auriemma

R

rockpapergun

Member
Could UConn Women's coach, Geno Auriemma, be a crossover success at Iowa? I'm not necessarily endorsing, I'm just saying. We all know that there have been far more absurd names thrown out there.

I don't generally follow women's basketball, but I couldn't help but notice the final score of the UConn vs. Temple game in the NCAA Women's tourney last night--90 to 36 in UConn's favor.

In his post-game comments, UConn coach, Geno Auriemma, seemed resigned to the fact that, at present, no other women's program is capable of performing at the level of UConn (comments that I'm sure Pat Summit enjoyed).

Perhaps Geno is ready for a new challenge. And, perhaps, that challenge is at the NCAA Men's level. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that there are differences between the men's and women's games that I'm not even remotely aware of. However, there's no denying that this dude built a powerhouse out of nothing.

I watched a game toward the end of the season that was called by Bob Knight and Brent Musberger. During the commentary, Knight dedicated no less than 3 minutes to the accolades of Coach Auriemma. Knight even went as far as to proclaim that if he were an AD in search of a new men's BBall coach, Auriemma would be the first call he made.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geno_Auriemma
 
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The one problem I could see with that hire would be how would Geno's recruiting transfer over to recruiting in the men's game? Would male players shy away from a coach who coached woman for so long? Also, would Geno be more of a nurturing type of coach? Woman have to be handled a bit differently when being coached. Would male players just walk on him? Could he command respect of his players?

There is no arguing the results that he has done in the woman's game though.
 
HaydenHawk56 said:
The one problem I could see with that hire would be how would Geno's recruiting transfer over to recruiting in the men's game? Would male players shy away from a coach who coached woman for so long? Also, would Geno be more of a nurturing type of coach? Woman have to be handled a bit differently when being coached. Would male players just walk on him? Could he command respect of his players?

There is no arguing the results that he has done in the woman's game though.
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I think the main dilemna would be how many of his players he could get to follow him to Iowa ...
 
I've also thought about this. Guy has some serious bball knowledge and definite charisma and energy. Basketball is generally coached the same regardless of sex (coached both at HS level) and he played ball so he knows the game. His UCONN team can be coached much like a mens team because of their talent level. However, this guy has never had to recruit MEN to play for his team and that would be a HUGE minus.
 
I don't mean to start anything here but this post, above all others, feels like someone in the AD's office floating a name to get fan reactions before they move any further forward. If so I say good, fan support will be important for the next coach. That being said I have doubts about his ability to recruit. Aside from the fact that he has never recruited men and may not have those professional conections to do so there is also the issues of whether or not male BB players will want to play for a 'girls coach'. Not saying I endorse this attitude just sayin' it might be an issue.
 
this is a interesting topic. The guy is a winner, can he recruit men to play the mens game..differnet beast from womans bball to mens bball. but interesting to say the least!
 
"I don't mean to start anything here but this post, above all others, feels like someone in the AD's office floating a name to get fan reactions before they move any further forward. If so I say good, fan support will be important for the next coach. That being said I have doubts about his ability to recruit. Aside from the fact that he has never recruited men and may not have those professional conections to do so there is also the issues of whether or not male BB players will want to play for a 'girls coach'. Not saying I endorse this attitude just sayin' it might be an issue."

Nope, I'm not from the AD's office. But if they're hiring, please let me know. I'm sure that it over-pays well! Anyway, I'm just another guy who's bored with the names being thrown out there. I thought I'd see what kind of reaction old Geno would get. I find it interesting that he hasn't sought out a new challenge.

I've been discussing this scenario with my co-worker ever since I posted it. He corroborates your suspicion that boys might bristle at the prospect of playing for a girls coach. I proctored my observation that players rarely use their genitals to affect the outcome of a basketball game. However, he remains an unswayed.
 
A lot of why he is where he is imo is because of recruiting connections. great recruiters have connections, no doubt. he would be starting all over in that respect, too. He's the toast of the town, no way he starts all over from scratch.
 
can we really be worse? what's the harm if it fails? if we can't get one of the Pearl or Dixon level guys, then I've no problem with Geno over some mid-major coach
 
twinhawkfans said:
A lot of why he is where he is imo is because of recruiting connections. great recruiters have connections, no doubt. he would be starting all over in that respect, too. He's the toast of the town, no way he starts all over from scratch.
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have you seen him on ESPN lately? he is clearly bored with not being challenged, and verbally b!tch-slapped other schools for not ponying up the funds it takes to compete on his level
 
bwsmoney said:
have you seen him on ESPN lately? he is clearly bored with not being challenged, and verbally b!tch-slapped other schools for not ponying up the funds it takes to compete on his level
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Well said. That's the same impression I get. Pair him with a proven recruiter on the men's trail and you might actually have something.
 
HaydenHawk56 said:
The one problem I could see with that hire would be how would Geno's recruiting transfer over to recruiting in the men's game? Would male players shy away from a coach who coached woman for so long? Also, would Geno be more of a nurturing type of coach? Woman have to be handled a bit differently when being coached. Would male players just walk on him? Could he command respect of his players?

There is no arguing the results that he has done in the woman's game though.
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Actually, women do needed to be treated differently. At that talent level, they are every bit as hard on themselves as any coach would be. Read the article in a recent SI about them. Geno puts a sign with the goal written: keep them under 50. He leaves the room for 5 minutes, and when he comes back, one of the players crossed out "50" and wrote "40". To be honest, I think his players at UCONN are much more mentally tough and lower maintenance than a large number of men's players. So he might actually struggle to coddle them like so many men these days want.
 
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