Any thoughts about Coach Walz looking at the Mississippi State job? Personally I’d say no. Not with Dana coming back and what he has built for the future.
From a Mississippi State site:
Robbie and I have worked the phones and compared notes. Here are some of the things that we have learned in the early stages of the search for the new women's basketball coach.
Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell is very much a name of interest for the job. We have spoken with multiple parties who have varying opinions about his interest in the job. To be frank, there are more people who believe he ends up staying in Lexington at this point than those who expect him to come home. One source close to him tells me he would love to come back to Mississippi State, but the situation would have to be perfect. He has a good situation at Kentucky and is very comfortable with the working relationships there.
As per the usual custom, Mitchell made the preemptive strike by tweeting out his feelings about Kentucky and his desire to stay there. With the April signing date approaching, he can't afford to have rumors swirling about him taking another job. He is, however, on the Mississippi State list.
Louisville head coach Jeff Walz is another name to remember. Robbie mentioned him yesterday in the notes. Walz has done a tremendous job at Louisville and he's getting paid a salary that matches those accomplishments. He made over 1.5 mil in 2019 from what I understand. I reached out to a peer that covers the Cardinals and was told that Walz has always been one willing to entertain initial talks with other programs. They did wonder if the timing was right to make a move with a loaded recruiting class coming in and star guard and ACC player of the year Dana Evans electing to return for her senior season. There is some optimism that UL can make another run to the final four next season.
Based on the conversations I have had over the last couple of days, I expect Cohen to kick the tires at the very least to see if Walz has a serious interest and to see if it's the right fit for both sides.
I have been told by a source that I trust without reservation that South Carolina's Dawn Staley is working behind the scenes to support Old Dominion coach Nikki McCray-Penson as a candidate for the Mississippi State job. McCray-Penson played for Pat Summit at Tennessee before playing in the WNBA for over a decade. Once her playing days were over, she joined Staley's staff at South Carolina and was on the staff when the Gamecocks won the NCAA title in 2017. The two coached together in Columbia from 2008 to 2017.
Some Bulldogs including myself would initially wonder why Staley would make life more difficult for herself. I have been told my multiple parties that Staley truly believes McCray-Penson is a coach on the rise and is ready for a major job. Staley is also very much an advocate for more women coaches in the game.
I am not sure at this point how serious Mississippi State is about her at this point, but I feel comfortable in saying she is very interested in the vacancy.
Finally, there is a tremendous amount of support for long time Bulldog assistant coach Johnnie Harris. Based on what I am hearing, I do expect her to get an interview for the job. I don't think its a given that she is essentially promoted to the HC position. There will be a search and several candidates will be vetted. The information that I have gathered suggests to me that State will take a look at some established head coaches as well as Harris. If Johnnie gets the job, it will be because she is the right person for the job and not just someone we all know. She is a candidate, but there is a process that must take place before a hire is made.
More info as I get it.
From a Mississippi State site:
Robbie and I have worked the phones and compared notes. Here are some of the things that we have learned in the early stages of the search for the new women's basketball coach.
Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell is very much a name of interest for the job. We have spoken with multiple parties who have varying opinions about his interest in the job. To be frank, there are more people who believe he ends up staying in Lexington at this point than those who expect him to come home. One source close to him tells me he would love to come back to Mississippi State, but the situation would have to be perfect. He has a good situation at Kentucky and is very comfortable with the working relationships there.
As per the usual custom, Mitchell made the preemptive strike by tweeting out his feelings about Kentucky and his desire to stay there. With the April signing date approaching, he can't afford to have rumors swirling about him taking another job. He is, however, on the Mississippi State list.
Louisville head coach Jeff Walz is another name to remember. Robbie mentioned him yesterday in the notes. Walz has done a tremendous job at Louisville and he's getting paid a salary that matches those accomplishments. He made over 1.5 mil in 2019 from what I understand. I reached out to a peer that covers the Cardinals and was told that Walz has always been one willing to entertain initial talks with other programs. They did wonder if the timing was right to make a move with a loaded recruiting class coming in and star guard and ACC player of the year Dana Evans electing to return for her senior season. There is some optimism that UL can make another run to the final four next season.
Based on the conversations I have had over the last couple of days, I expect Cohen to kick the tires at the very least to see if Walz has a serious interest and to see if it's the right fit for both sides.
I have been told by a source that I trust without reservation that South Carolina's Dawn Staley is working behind the scenes to support Old Dominion coach Nikki McCray-Penson as a candidate for the Mississippi State job. McCray-Penson played for Pat Summit at Tennessee before playing in the WNBA for over a decade. Once her playing days were over, she joined Staley's staff at South Carolina and was on the staff when the Gamecocks won the NCAA title in 2017. The two coached together in Columbia from 2008 to 2017.
Some Bulldogs including myself would initially wonder why Staley would make life more difficult for herself. I have been told my multiple parties that Staley truly believes McCray-Penson is a coach on the rise and is ready for a major job. Staley is also very much an advocate for more women coaches in the game.
I am not sure at this point how serious Mississippi State is about her at this point, but I feel comfortable in saying she is very interested in the vacancy.
Finally, there is a tremendous amount of support for long time Bulldog assistant coach Johnnie Harris. Based on what I am hearing, I do expect her to get an interview for the job. I don't think its a given that she is essentially promoted to the HC position. There will be a search and several candidates will be vetted. The information that I have gathered suggests to me that State will take a look at some established head coaches as well as Harris. If Johnnie gets the job, it will be because she is the right person for the job and not just someone we all know. She is a candidate, but there is a process that must take place before a hire is made.
More info as I get it.
