2017-18 Head Coaches on the Hot Seat!

A list of head coaches who are or should be on the hot seat entering the 2017-18 season.  Schools will be added.  Generally coaches are listed if they haven't averaged 12 wins in their first four years as head coach.  Usually coaches listed have been at their school for at least four years, though there maybe an exception every so often.  Coaches are listed regardless of their contract status.

Full Disclosure- If there is a head coach who I really like and respect, no matter how bad the record maybe, that HC will not be listed here!

There are legendary coaches who haven't done well the past few seasons.  We all know who they are.  So, they won't be listed here! They have given so much to WBB, they deserve to go out on their own terms!

RED-Coaching change was made after the 2017-18 season.

Boston College- 5 years with a 76-92 record

2016-17 record 9-21 .

After the 2014-15 season,  received a contract extension through the 2018-19 season.

Update- Resigned on March 1, 2018

Canisuis- 12 years with a 162-192 record.

2016-17 record 10-21 .  Eight straight losing seasons!

Update-Let go on March 8, 2018

Cinncinnati- 8 years- 94–149 record.

2016-17 record 16-14.

Contract expires after the 17-18 season.  Thanks to a Twitter follower for the link!!

Update- Contract not renewed March 21, 2018

Clemson- 4 years with a 41-80 record.

2016-17 record 15-16.

Update-Received 4 year contract extension on August 18, 2017

Update- Let go on March 27, 2018.

Georgia St.-7 years, 68-122 record.

 2016-17 record 12-18.

Update-Not renewed Mar 14, 2018

LaSalle- 7 years, 84-127 record.

2016-17 record 17-13.

Update-Contract Not Renewed March 2, 2018

Lipscomb- 5 years with a 28-120.

2016-17 record 6-24. Shocked this wasn't open this spring!

Minnesota- 3 years with a 58-38 record.

2016-17 record 15-16.

Hired by her AD at VCU, that scumbag Norwood Teague, who resigned at Minnesota, amid sexual harassment allegations.   She got a P5 job with a less than stellar 51-42 record in three years at two different mid major schools and no NCAA tournaments.  A new AD, downward trend in wins, and a newspaper report that she went over budget, makes this one of the hottest seats in the Big 10!

Sam Houston St.-11 years with 124-205 record.

2016-17 record 3-25.

Update-Let Go on March 7. 2017

San Diego St.-4 years, 48-74 record.

 2016-17 record 11-19.

Contract is suppose to expire after the 2017-18 season.

Tulsa- 6 years, 80-102.

2016-17 record 10-21.

Three straight years with downward trend in wins after going to the American Athletic Conference. 

UIC-6 years with a 81-75 record.

2016-17 record 6-25.

Update: HC was let go on March 6, 2018.

UMBC- 15 years with a 189-251 record.

2016-17 record 15-16.

How does a school put up with such mediocre for so long?

UNLV- 9 years with a 117-135 record.

2016-17 record 22-11.

Lost two best players, who wanted to pursue their music career, but stupid NCAA rules wouldn't allow them to play and make money from their music! Contract expired in 16-17.  No press release about a contract extension.  Contract may have an automatic renewal for a winning season.  The former head coach went 175-125 in 9 season in a much tougher Mt. West Conference that included Utah, BYU, TCU.

Update: New AD gave a 4 year extension on August 25, 2017.

Utah Valley-14 years with 140-206 record.

2016-17 record 9-22. 

2017-18 Coaches' Carousel

The links provided are usually to the school's official website.  Some schools do not issue a press release when they let go of their head coach.  Two examples are Winthrop and Arkansas.  Other schools do not issue a press release if their head coach left for a head coaching job at another school.

Head Coach Jobs Opened for 2017-18 

Totals-

40 Changes
35 new openings with
1 Interim Head Coach due to health issues.
3 Interim Head Coaches named Permanent Head Coach from 2016-17.
1 Interim Head Coach from 2016-17 was replaced.

Gender:
13 changes Female was replaced by Female (F-F)
8 changes Female was replaced by Male * (F-M)
14 changes Male replaced by Female (M-F)
6 changes Male replaced by Male(M-M)


Difference- Less wins than the the year before.


1. Wichita St. (F-F)

Opened Jan 22, 20017- Jody Adams-Birch

Filled Mar 29, 2017- Keitha Adams

2016-17 record- 15-16
2017-18 record- 14-17
Difference: -1


2. Winthrop (M-F)

Opened Feb. 24, 2017- Kevin Cook. No press release

Filled Mar 28, 2017-Lynette Woodard

2016-17 record-2-19
2017-18 recor- 3-27
Difference: +1

3. Murray St. (M-F)

Opened Feb 27, 2017- Rob Cross

Filled Mar 29, 2017- Rechelle Turner

2016-17 record- 15-14
2017-18 record- 11-19
Difference: -4

4. Nevada (F-F)

Opened Mar 1, 2017- Jane Albright

Filled Mar 31, 2017- Amanda Levens

2016-17 record- 11-19
2017-18 record- 19-17
Difference: +8

5. USC * (F-M)

Opened Mar 3, 2017-Cynthia Cooper-Dykes

Filled April 21, 2017-Mark Trakh

2016-17 record- 14-16
2017-18 record- 20-11
Difference: +6

6. Arkansas (M-M)

Opened Mar 3, 2017- Jimmy Dykes

Filled April 3, 2017- Mike Neighbors

2016-17 record- 13-17
2017-18 record-13-18
Difference: None

7. Florida Atlantic * (F-M)

Opened Mar 6, 2017-Kellie Lewis-Jay 

Filled April 6, 2017- Jim Jabir 

2016-17 record- 4-25
2017-18 recor- 13-15
Difference: + 9

8. Florida * (F-M)

Opened Mar 6, 2017-Amanda Butler

Filled Mar 27, 2017- Cameron Newbauer

2016-17 record- 15-16
2017-18 record- 11-19
Difference: -4

9.  Denver * (F-M)

Opened Mar 7, 2017- Kerry Cremeans

Filled Mar 28, 2017- Jim Turgeon

2016-17 record- 6-24
2017-18 recor-16-14
Difference: +10

10. Eastern Illinois * (F-M)

Opened Mar 7, 2017- Debbie Black- They originally issued a press release.  Now that story has been deleted from EIU's archives!  LAME!

Filled April 17, 2017- Matt Bollant

2016-17 record- 15-16
2017-18 record- 3-26
Difference: -12

11. Grand Canyon (M-F)

Opened Mar 7, 2017 -Trent May 

Filled April 11, 2017-Nichole Powell

2016-17 record- 15-12
2017-18 record-16-14
Difference: +1

12. Davidson (F-F)

Opened Mar 8, 2017-Michele Savage

Filled May 10, 2017- Gayle Coats Fulks

2016-17 record-6-23
2017-18 record-12-18
Difference: +6

13. Pepperdine  (M-F)

Opened- Mar 8, 2017- Ryan Weisenberg

Filled- Mar 29, 2017- Delisha Milton-Jones

2016-17 record- 7-23
2017-18 recor-10-20
Difference: -3

14. Tennessee St. (M-F)

Opened- Mar 9, 2017-Larry Inman

Filled-April 12, 2017-Jessica Kern

2016-17 record- 10-16
2017-18 record- 6-21
Difference: -4

15.  Southeastern Louisiana (M-F)

Opened Mar 9, 2017- Errol Gauff

Filled April 3, 2017- Ayla Guzzardo 

2016-17 record- 5-24
2017-18 recor- 8-21
Difference: +3

16. Miami (OH) (M-F)

Opened Mar 10, 2017- Cleve Wright

Filled April 3, 2017- Megan Duffy

2016-17 record- 11-21
2017-18 record-21-11
Difference: +10

17. Cal St Fullerton (M-M)

Opened Mar 11, 2017- Daron Park

Filled April 17, 2017- Jeff Harada

2016-17 record- 4-25
2017-18 record- 8-21
Difference: +4 including more than tripling the number of D1 wins. 2 to 7!

18. Illinois St. (F-F)

Opened Mar 13, 2017- Beth Smith- No press release by the school.

Filled- April 4, 2017- Kristen Gillspie

2016-17 record- 8-23
2017-18 record-14-16
Difference: +6

19. Marshall (M-M)

Opened Mar 12, 2017- Matt Daniel

Filled Mar 17, 2017- Tony Kemper

2016-17 record- 13-17
2017-18 recor- 9-20
Difference: -4

20. Illinois (M-F)

Opened Mar 14, 2017- Matt Bollant

Filled Mar 22, 2017- Nancy Fahey

2016-17 record- 9-22
2017-18 recor- 9-22
Difference: None

21. UMKC (F-F)

Opened Mar 16, 2017- Marsha Frese

Filled May 11, 2017- Jacie Hoyt

2016-17 record- 10-19
2017-18 record- 11-19
Difference: +1

22. Mt. St. Mary's (M-F)

Opened Mar 21, 2017- Bryan Whitten

Filled May 1, 2017-Maria Marchesano

2016-17 record- 12-18
2017-18 recor- 9-20
Difference: -3

23. North Carolina Central (F-F)

Opened Mar 23, 2017-Vanessa Taylor

Filled May 8, 2017- Trisha Stafford-Odom

2016-17 record- 8-21
2017-18 record-9-21
Difference: +1

24. Belmont (M-M)

Opened Mar 27, 2017-Cameron Newbauer

Filled April 24, 2017- Bart Brooks

2016-17 record- 27-6
2017-18 record- 31-4
Difference: +4

25. UTEP * (F-M)

Opened- Mar 29, 2017- Keitha Adams

Filled- April 24, 2017-Kevin Baker

2016-17 record- 8-23
2017-18 record- 17-14
Difference: +9

26. Washington (M-F)

Opened April 3, 2017-Mike Neighbors

Filled April 14, 2017- Jody Wynn

2016-17 record- 29-6
2017-18 record- 7-23
Difference: -22

27. Lafayette (F-F)

Opened April 4, 2017-Theresa Grentz

Filled May 31, 2017-Kia Damon

2016-17 record- 4-28
2017-18 record-11-19
Difference: +7

28.  UNC-Wilmington (F-F)

Opened April 11, 2017-Adell Harris

Filled May 3, 2017-Karen Barefoot

2016-17 record- 11-20
2017-18 record- 12-19
Difference: +1

29. Miss Valley St. (F-F)

Opened- April 12, 2017-Jessica Kern

Filled- May 5, 2017-Ashley Walker

2016-17 record- 10-20
2017-18 record- 2-28
Difference: -8

30. Long Beach St. * (F-M)

Opened April 14, 2017- Jody Wynn

Filled May 10, 2017 Jeff Cammon

2016-17 record- 23-11
2017-18 record- 8-23
Difference: -15

31. New Mexico St. (M-F)

Opened April 21, 2017-Mark Trakh

Filled May 3, 2017- Brooke Atkinson

2016-17 record- 24-7
2017-18 record-18-13
Difference: -6

32. Delaware (F-F)

Opened April 28, 2017-Tina Martin

Filled May 14, 2017- Natasha Adair

2016-17 record- 16-14
2017-18 record- 19-13
Difference: +3

33. ODU (F-F)

Opened May 3, 2017-Karen Barefoot

Filled May 24, 2017-Nikki McCray-Penson

2016-17 record- 17-14
2017-18 recor- 8-23
Difference: -9

34. Georgetown * (F-M)

Opened May 14, 2017- Natasha Adair

Filled June 14, 2017-James Howard

2016-17 record- 17-13
2017-18 recor- 16-16
Difference: -1

35. Towson (F-F)

Opened June 15, 2017- Niki Reid Geckeler. No official release. Job posted on Towson's website.

Filled June 28, 2017- Diane Richardson

2016-17 record- 12-18
2017-18 recor- 9-21
Difference: -3

36. UTSA (M-F)

Opened August 11, 2017- Luby Linchonchak

Filled August 11, 2017- Kristen Holt

2016-17 record- 14-16
2017-18 recor- 9-21
Difference: -5

Interim Head Coaches for the 2017-18 Season

1. Maine (M-F)

April 5, 2017- Head Coach Richard Barron takes a leave of absence due to health reasons.

April 5, 2017- Amy Vachon named Interim Head Coach for the 2017-18 season.

2016-17 record- 18-16
2017-18 record- 23-10
Difference: +5

Interim Head Coaches from 2016-17 season

1. Evansville (M-M)

Feb 29, 2016-Oties Epps resigned. Matt Ruffing was named Interim Head Coach for the rest of the 2015-16 season and the entire 2016-17 season.  

Named Permanent Head Coach Dec. 22, 2016- Matt Ruffing 

2016-17 record- 14-17
2017-18 record- 3-27
Difference: -11

2. Grambling * (F-M)

Nadine Domond left to become an assisstant coach at Rutgers. No press release.

Freddie Murray was the Interim Head Coach for the 2016-17 season.

Named Permanent Head Coach on April 5, 2017-Freddie Murray

2016-17 record- 19-15
2017-18 record- 19-14
Difference: None

3. Northern Arizona (F-F)

Robyne Bostick was the Interim Head Coach for the 2016-17 season.  No press release.

Also, no press release about former Head Coach Sue Darling's departure.

Filled- April 7, 2017- Loree Payne

2016-17 record- 9-21
2017-18 record= 7-23
Difference: -2

4. Morgan St. (M-M)

Ed Davis was the Interim Head Coach for the 2016-17 season.

No press release about former Head Coach Don Beasley's departure.

Named Permanent Head Coach on June 30, 2017- Ed Davis 

2016-17 record- 9-21
2017-18 record- 16-15
Difference: +7
 

Coaches with Abuse Allegations in Their Past

Just like most people I was shocked to see Rutger's men's basketball coach, Mike Rice, physically and verbally abusing players when the, now infamous video, came out.  I was more shocked that in women's basketball during the 2013-14 Coaches' Carousel, coaches with allegations of abuse in their past, were either a finalist for a head coaching job or got hired!!  So, I turned to google and a simple search came up with a ton of results of coaches who have a past history of abusing players or there were allegations leveled against the coach for abuse.

The questions that need to be asked are:

Do these coaches deserve a second chance?   Have they learned from their mistakes?

Why did the AD overlook the coach's past history and hire these coaches as head coaches or assistant coaches?

Johnetta Hayes Perry and Cynthia Cooper at UNC Wilmington. Hayes Perry, who forced the player to do the log roll was named head coach at Texas Souther and Cynthia Cooper was named head coach at USC.

LaVonda Wagner at Oregon St.

Shann Hart at IUPUI.

Molly Goodenbour at Chico St. Goodenbour left Chico St. for UC Irvine and is currently head coach at Cal St. Dominguez Hills.

Michelle Bento Jackson at Santa Clara. Bento-Jackson is currently head coach at Texas A&M International, and was a finalist for the Cal St. Fullerton job.

Nikita Lowry Dawkins at New Mexico St. Now going by Nikki Dawkins and currently an assistant coach at VCU.

Jeff Dow at Indiana of PA.

If I have missed any coaches, please email me. 

2013 D1 Coaches' Carousel

Click on the school's name to go to the announcement of the hiring.
Bold-Opening due to former head coach leaving for a job that could be seen as a promotion.
*-Assistant coach becoming a head coach
Gender-gender of old coach listed first, gender of new coach listed second. F-F, F-M, M-F, M-M 

1. Alabama M-F Wendell Hudson-Kristy Curry
2. Alabama A &M F-F Altherias Warmley-Semeka Randall
3. Belmont F- Brittney Ezell-
4. Chattanooga M-M Wes Moore-Jim Foster
5. Clemson F-F Itoro Coleman-Audra Smith
6. *Coastal Carolina M-F Alan LeForce-Jaida Williams 
7. Columbia M-F Paul Nixon-Stephanie Glance
8. *CSF F-M Marcia Foster-Daron Park
9. *Dartmouth F-F Chris Wielgus-Belle Koclanes
10. *Duquesne F-M Suzie McConnell-Serio-Dan Burt
11. *Eastern Illinois M-F Lee Buchanan-Debbie Black
12. ETSU  F-F Karen Kemp-Brittney Ezell
13. George Mason  F-F Jeri Porter-Nyla Milleson
14. *Houston Baptist F-F Mary Gleason-Donna Finnie
15. Howard F- Niki Geckeler-
16. *Illinois St. F-F Stephanie Glance-Barb Smith
17. * Incarnate Word F-F Angela Lawson-Kate Henderson
18. Iona M-F Tony Bozzella-Billi Godsey
19. *Jacksonville F-F Jill Dunn-Yolett McCuin
20. Lamar M-F Larry Tidwell-Robin Harmony
21. Loyola Chicago M-F Eric Simpson-Sheryl Swoopes
22. Miami (OH) F-M Maria Fantanarosa-Cleve Wright
23. *Miss. M-M Brett Frank-Matt Insell
24. Missouri St  F-F Nyla Milleson-Kellie Harper
25. NC St.  F-M Kellie Harper-Wes Moore
26. Ohio F-M Semeka Randall-Bob Boldon
27. Ohio St. M-M Jim Foster-Kevin McGuff
28. *Pepperdine F-M Julie Rousseau-Ryan Weisenberg
29. Pitt  F-F Agnus Berenato-Suzie McConnell-Serio
30. *Radford F-M Tajama Abraham Ngongba-Mike McGuire
31. *San Diego St. F-F Beth Burns-Stacie Terry 
32. Scared Heart M- Ed Swanson
33. Seton Hall F-M Anne Donovan-Tony Bozzella
34. SIU F-F Missy Tiber-Cindy Stein
35. South Alabama M-M Rick Pietri-Terry Fowler
36. St Peters  F-
37. *Texas Southern  F-F Cynthia Cooper-Dyke-Johnetta Hayes Perry
38. Texas Tech F- Kristy Curry-
39. Towson M-F Joe Mathews-Niki Geckeler
40. *UAB  F-M Audra Smith-Randy Norton
41. UMBC M-M Phil Stern-Phil Stern
42. USC M-F Michael Cooper-Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
43. UTA  F-F Samantha Morrow-Krista Gerlich
44. UTPA M-M Denny Downing-Larry Tidwell
45. *Washington M-M Kevin McGuff-Mike Neighbors
46. William & Mary F-M Debbie Taylor- Ed Swanson
47. * Youngstown St M-M Bob Boldon-John Barnes 

*Stern accepted an assistant coach's position at Seton Hall, then two weeks later decided to stay at UMBC. I consider that an opening. If you don't agree, fine, but don't email me to complain.

2012 Big West Tournament

Congratulations to Carlene Mitchell and her great staff, Courtney Locke, Heather Zurich, and Natalie Jarrett on winning the 2012 Big West Tournament Championship!!

2010-11 CCAA Coach's Salaries

I'm interested in coaches' salaries, not because I'm a noisy busy body, but I want to see the advancement of women's basketball.  One huge step to advancing women's basketball is to pay competitive coaches' salaries, not only to other professions-business, education, sales etc, but also to men's basketball.  It's really stupid that a third assistant coach on a men's staff makes more than the top assistant coach on the women's staff.  Believe me, there are more than a few cases, where this is true.

Another way to bring more attention to this issue is for coaches' salary to become public.  This will only make coaches who aren't worth a damn, nervous.  For coaches who are good, this can actually help them!!  Just look at baseball.  Albert Pujols signed a huge deal with the Angels.  It's a good bet that Pujols used the contract Mark Texeria signed in 2009 for the basis of his contract!  Then a couple months later Prince Fielder signed a bigger contract with the Tigers.  Just a guess, but Prince used Pujol's contract as a basis for his contract! 

So, I did a story about the 2008-09 CCAA Coaches' Salaries, and I was surprised by the low salaries.  I believed it back then, and after meeting some of the great coaches in the CCAA, I believe it more today, the salaries are way too low for some coaches.  So I decided to see if there have been any changes in CCAA salaries since the 08-09 season.  The latest salary information is for the 2010-11 season.

The salary information is from the State of California Employee Salary date base.  The state fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th.

For a quick reminder, here are the 2008-09 salaries:

1. Cal St Los Angeles $95,004
2. Cal St. Dominguez Hills $91,744
3. Cal St. San Bernandino $90,749
4. UC San Diego $82,000
5. CP Pomona $80,530
6. Cal St Stanislaus $80,889
7. Sonoma St. $79,912
8. Humbolt St. $76,912
9. Chico St. $70,340
10. San Francisco St. $58,744
11. Cal St East Bay $58,006
12. Cal St Monterey Bay $57,701  

2010-11 Salaries

1. Cal St. Dominguez Hills $88,774.41
2. UC San Diego $88,539.90
3. Cal St. San Bernandino $88,370.41
4. Cal St Stanislaus $78,105.99
5. Sonoma St. $77,263.77
6. Humbolt St. $76,117.49
7. Chico St. $69,424.80
8. Cal St Monterey Bay $57,729.30
9. San Francisco St. $55,975.32
10. Cal St Los Angeles $41,677.00
11. Cal St East Bay $36,518.70
12. CP Pomona $26,781.23

A couple things stand out.  One should be obvious, with the state of California in a budget crunch, all state employees are forced to take a pay cut and furlough days.  That accounts for the roughly 10% cut in pay for the 2010-11 season.

The other thing that stands out is, the three biggest drops in pay at Cal St. LA, Cal St. Easy Bay, and Cal Poly Pomona!  Relax, they aren't starting to cut back on women's basketball.  Though, with an idiot AD, like Swanson at Cal Poly Pomona, you never know.  Nice institutional control there Swanson.  Cal Poly Pomona is on NCAA Probation for violations in their women's basketball program.  But, that's another story and for another time.  Getting back to salaries, it's stupid and naive to think the Cal St. East Bay coach would move from Washington, to an area with a very high cost of living, to earn $36,518.70.  It's likely those listed salaries are prorated salaries for those three new coaches.

Remember these listed salaries are being paid by the state of California.  Coach's salary can be funded by sources other than state money. That source is the school's foundation entity, which is a private entity, so their records aren't open to the public.  But, usually the salaries from a school's foundation are meant as a supplemental pay, not doubling the coach's state salary.

There are some coaches in the CCAA who are clearly underpaid.  There are some coaches who are clearly overpaid and are ripping off the taxpayers of California!!   There needs to be and should be some coaching changes in the CCAA, after this season.  Too bad some of them are a couple years too late!!  Maybe it's time to do a story on Big West coaches' salaries!!

Black Men Need Not Apply?

There are over 340 D-1 women's basketball programs in the country. If you exclude the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, who are mostly in the SWAC and MEAC conferences, there are just 12 African-American males who are head coaches in D-1. There are 13 minority males who are head coaches, Jose Fernandez at South Florida, being Latino. Here is the list of African-American male head coaches in D-1, for the 2011-12 season.

Michael Cooper-USC
Phil Seymore-Providence
Quentin Hillsman- Syracuse
Jason Flowers-CS Northridge
Oties Epps-Evansville
Greg McCall- CS Bakersfield
Wendell Hudson- Alabama
Edgar Farmer- Wofford
Mike Bozeman-George Washington
Jeff Williams- La Salle
Errol Rogers- Louisiana-Lafayette
Kenny Brooks (AKA-The JERK) -JMU

Two African-American males were hired just this past summer; Oties Epps-Evansville and
Greg McCall- CS Bakersfield.

*****If I have forgotten to list any African-American male coaches, from NON HBCU's, please let me know. I will make the corrections. But, I would bet that figure doesn't get to 25.*********

So, for this topic let's say there are about 325 D-1 women's basketball programs. Of those 325 schools only 12 have an African-American male head coach. That is a staggering figure and something that needs to be changed. Even FBS football has a higher percentage of black head coaches than D-1 women's basketball!! So, let's look at this situation and see what can be done to fix it.

Now, why aren't there more African-American male head coaches in D1 women's basketball?

Before I go on, I want to say this: If you're a part of WBB that thinks there shouldn't be any male coaches, please click the X at the upper right hand corner and STOP following women's basketball NOW. It's people like YOU, who are hurting the advancement of the great game of women's basketball.

Killing two birds with one stone: I firmly believe that athletic directors would rather hire a female African-American instead of a male African-American as head coach, because that fills an athletic department's minority hiring in two categories, race: African-American, and gender: female. That's fine, as long as the African-American female is qualified. But, a school is doing the players and the sport of women's basketball a disservice, when they don't hire the best candidate, regardless of race or gender. Some of the hirings clearly shows schools have not hired the best candidate.

Candidate Pool: But, how big is the candidate pool of African-American male coaches? Who are the leading candidates of African-American male assistant coaches, to become head coaches? Hell, ARE, there any?

The usual way to become a head coach is to be an assistant coach. So how many African-American male assistant coaches are there in D1? I can't find that figure online online. Why? Maybe when I did my Hottest Female Coaches, I should have counted the number of African-American assistant coaches. I go to a lot of women's games and I will look at a school's website, including the coaching staff, and I just don't see a large number of African-American males assistant coaches in women's basketball. Off the top of my head, without doing much research I can name seven African-American male assistant coaches; Brandon Manning at Arizona, Kevin Morrison at Washington, Michael Cooper II at USC, Derek Wynn and Jeff Cammon at Cal St. Long Beach, and Carrick Dehart at UCR. Why aren't African-American males getting into college coaching? There is a large number of African-American males who coach at the club level. Do they apply for college jobs? Would coaches hire them?

Former NBA player, Tariq Abdul–Wahad, wanted to get into coaching women's college basketball. His only experience was coaching his daughter's club team. So, he wasn't expecting to be a first assistant. He was willing to pay his dues; break down film, film exchange etc. He applied for several jobs, but was turned down for every one!! Until this summer when Renee Jimenez hired Tariq Abdul–Wahad, as an assistant at D-2, Cal St. Monterey Bay. Why did Tariq get turned down for jobs, even as a third assistant? Maybe they didn't like his French accent? Are/were coaches threatened by his NBA pedigree? Or, are some coaches discriminating based upon gender?

There are many female head coaches who have NEVER hired a male assistant coach. If somebody like Rene Portland was forced out because of her stupid homophobic discrimination, why are female head coaches, who practice gender discrimination, allowed to continue coaching? This will only stop when a male assistant coach, sues a head coach for gender discrimination.

Role models: A young white female can look up to Pat Summitt, Tara VanDerveer, Kim Mulkey-Robertson, and Muffet McGraw. All are successful female white head coaches. A young African-American female can look up to C. Vivian Stringer, Teresa Weatherspoon, and Dawn Staley. All are successful female African-American head coaches. A young white male can aspire to become a Geno Auriemma, Gary Blair, Joe McKeown and Kevin McGuff. All are successful male white head coaches.

Who does a young African-American male have to look up? The most accomplished African-American male head coach is that jerk, Kenny Brooks at JMU. He paid his dues, working up from an assistant to becoming the head coach, then taking JMU to multiple NCAA appearances, and becoming the school in Virginia. That's saying a lot, because that meant taking overtaking UVa and Old Dominion, two traditional women's basketball powers. Why wasn't he a candidate for the Virginia head coach job? But, maybe it is a good thing he didn't get the UVa job; he would be more of an insufferable jerk, if he did!! But, damn, if Kenny Brooks is the standard bearer, it's a pretty low standard!

Only somebody with their head buried in the ground, would think there isn't a problem with the lack of African-American male head coaches. What can be done about this problem? Does the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association, even think this is an issue? Will they take the time to look at this issue? If they do, what can the WBCA do about this? What about the Black Coaches Association?

As with anything, I want to see the game of women's basketball advance. Women's basketball doesn't get the respect it deserves and everybody involved in women's basketball needs to work toward getting that respect. There are many qualified coaches, both black and white, and male and female. But the numbers just don't add up for an African-American male coach in women's basketball.