Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

Mat H · Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

Im at the point that we could let the players coach themselfs. We would save money and get the same result. They could take the money from what they saved and buy more tee-shirts and little pink balls to throw at the crowd 8)

Mat H · Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

Th crowd that is left anyway, after the *$#% this coaching position :!:

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

Peck just got hired at Florida for a nice salary deal. I doubt she'd leave.

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

What about Orlando (and former Mystic) Assistant Val Still?
She is a passionate, articulate, ex-player, but can she coach? Any insight anyone?

gia · Guest

Shumate was at the game last night :)

bballprincess31 · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 40

I noticed that!! Interesting, very interesting. :D LOL

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

No kidding? Oh please don't let it be some cruel hoax :roll:

gia · Guest

I tried to get your attention to point him out but you ignored me 8) -

He was in the first row of section 122. I didn't see him taking note though!

tvb · Guest Joined: 18 Jul 2002 Posts: 9

here are my two cents on the new and improved coaching staff for next year, based on what i think to know about mercury management/ownership ........

1) the number 1 objective from the colangelos for the general manager is to put people back in america west arena.
2) the colangelos are less interested in wins and losses and much more in revenue, revenue and more revenue.
3) the names out there mentioned now by the general manager are strictly a smoke screen.
4) the mercury coaching job can be used as training for a novice coach, who could go on later to coach let's say .... in the nba ..... for the phoenix suns.
5) the general manager needs a big name who can sell tickets, is well liked in the arizona community and lives here permanently.
6) the assistants cooper and sharp and timms ( if she wants ) stay on.
7) the general manager sees the success ex-nba players such as cooper, brown and laimbeer are having.

how about a former nba player who
- retired a year or so ago
- lives here
- has been at mercury games
- said he would take some time off to spend with his family
- is one of the most popular players in suns history
- said he might get into coaching in the nba at some point and needs experience

it is just a total guess on my part but i think if dan majerle was interested, all he would have to do is make one phone call to jerry colangelo and he would have the job and it sure would sell plenty of season tickets.

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

Dan Majerle and Bill Lambier, are choices that just make me scratch my head :roll:
It is Sooooo transparent the motives behind a hire like Lambier, or Cynthia Cooper for that matter, they aren't about winning are they?
If the team does win, it's a bonus
Remember Cheryl Miller helped sell tickets the first few years, but then crowds dwindled while she was still coach, so the long term isn't promising when hiring a "Name" as opposed to a coach. :?

Gaucho_Don · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 223

Unless you think the "name" will actually be a good coach. I'm somewhat surprised by the success of Lambier. It will be interesting to see how detroit does with him at the helm for a full year.

Majerle, IMO, would probably be a good coach. I've always been a Laker fan, but Majerle always seemed like a great knowledgeable player. This as we all know does not always translate into a great coach, but it's a step in the right direction.

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

Lambier as a coach surprised a lot of people, but something good is happening there since he took over. I still think a WNBA coaching job is not an easy one to fill with the quality we would like - successful college coaching, successful pro coaching..... a WNBA coaching job is a 4 mon stint, a summer job for both players and coaches.

Is there anything common, any common thread, in the coaching hires this year? ie, succesful retired NBA players, who stayed with their clubs and worked behind the scenes, who know what it takes to win, who weren't maybe the stars of the team, but players that players valued........ Do we have any of those in the Suns org (Shumate, West?)

Lambier made an interesting comment around the time he was hired - he talked about knowing he wanted to coach but realizing that he couldn't/shouldn't coach right after retiring, that he needed space between playing and coaching....... wish other people understood that.. we would be wise to heed that this go-round

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

I am a fan of Majerles, so I wouldn't scream if he were hired, but I'd say it's not likely to happen, so I can act like I wouldn't care :wink:

Quote: Is there anything common, any common thread, in the coaching hires this year? ie, succesful retired NBA players, who stayed with their clubs and worked behind the scenes, who know what it takes to win, who weren't maybe the stars of the team, but players that players valued

Let's pray they aren't interviewing Tim Kempton and Joe Klien, hey I was on a flight back from Dallas with Oliver Miller....what was he doing coming to Phoenix :roll: :roll:

Mat H · Guest Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

I want to know if there is another way besides the Mercury's webpage to actually reach Seth. I could bet he probably never reads the mail people send to him. I for one would like the fans to voice their opinions to him because this talk isn't any good if he hires Agler or Nancy. Another thing, why does he insist on hiring coaches that haven't had success in their WNBA coaching careers? Just seems stupid! :evil:

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

If its any consolation Mat, I believe management has been reading this board, so express your opinion and see what happens in the next month or so :shock: Then we can all get together back here and moan or cheer about the new coach and the idiot/genius who chose them :wink:

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

Very tacky to reply to me own message :P

But, I just had a thought, suppose they do hire Shumate, and he stinks.....Will Mat H and I take some of the blame :?: Will be we banished from the message boards...forever :wink:

mb · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2002 9:49 am Post subject:

Mat, the new "Mercury Update" thread should answer SOME of your questions. Try e-mailing him some of your others, he just may surprise you with a response.

gia · Guest

Count me in on the banishment list. I'm officially on the Shumate bandwagon too :)

mb · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2002 10:17 am Post subject:

Mat, Gia, Caune, or whoever:

Could you post Shumate's credentials/resume please?

Also, is he interested?

eaction83 · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 130 Location: Fremont, CA

Here's his bio from the Suns' site:

Back with the Suns, John Shumate joined Phoenix's community relations office prior to the 1998-99 season and will begin his third season as a college scout in 2002-03.

Originally the Suns' first-round pick (fourth overall) in 1974 NBA, Shumate was named NBA All-Rookie in 1975. During his seven-year career, he averaged 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds with the Suns, Buffalo, Detroit, Houston and San Antonio.

Prior to re-joining the Suns, Shumate was an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors for three seasons, providing on-the-floor coaching, advance and college scouting, and helping develop players such as Marcus Camby and Damon Stoudamire.

Following his playing career, he got into coaching in 1981 as an assistant coach at Notre Dame under Digger Phelps. After two seasons with the Irish, he became head coach at Grand Canyon University for three seasons. Shumate returned to Notre Dame as an assistant coach for two seasons before he was named head coach at Southern Methodist University in 1988. He led the Mustangs for seven seasons, including an NCAA Tournament berth and Southwest Conference title in 1992-93 when he was also named SWC Coach of the Year.

As a collegian, he averaged 24.2 points and 11.0 rebounds as a senior at Notre Dame while being named first team All-American. He finished with 1,334 points and set the school record by shooting .610 from the field.

Born April 6, 1952 in Greenville, South Carolina, he and his wife Marilyn are the parents of Brittany and John.

mb · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2002 12:12 pm Post subject:

Good enough for me to get on the bandwagon calling for him to be under consideration. Thanks eaction!

tickernut · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2002 2:14 pm Post subject:

The reason Kevin Cook's name keeps coming up as a possible head coach is because he is highly respected in the league among the other coaches. His mentor was Marian Washington of Kansas for 9 or 10 years and he was largely responsible for their recruiting. He also worked for the University of Houston prior to joining the comets and ran all their basketball camps and ran recruiting. The thing alot of people don't know is for the last few years he has been the head coach of the Basketball Travelers, which is a group WNBA and college players who play on tour overseas doing exhibitions. He is a very good evaluator of talent and one day will be a head coach somewhere. Whether he gets a shot in the WNBA or at the Division I level in college remains to be seen.

Mat H · Guest Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

I personally have that much faith in Shumates abilities. Seth just needs to get him to sign and we would see the proof is in the pudding! :P

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

Mat you are a tough guy....me, I though Tammy Sutton Brown would be a bust...so what do I know :oops:

Kevin Cook is also an intriguing possibilty...I really thought he would be the choice 2 years ago. He has experience in the Pro game that's for sure, he has learned from the Master himself...but does he have the "Passion" for want of a better term? Or does he need it? Will winning be enough for our fans? He has to have picked up a few tips on winning from the Comets :roll:

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

Oh my lord, it just hit me....as plain as the glasses on my face...the ex-Sun with pro coaching experience who is going to be the next Mercury coach is..................

KURT RAMBIS

:roll: :twisted: :wink: :oops: :o :shock: :P

just had to put that name out there :P

gia · Guest

And this would be a good thing?

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

There was a rumor back when Kevin Cook was being considered that he really didn't want to leave the Comets. Apparently he'd been up for several of the WNBA head coaching jobs... someone thought he'd turned them down.

Kurt Rambis...... with Cotton and Timms assisting.......... :P

Mercurymaniac · Guest Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1197 Location: Scottsdale

Love the Kurt Rambis Idea :shock: :shock:

I'm on the Shumate Bandwagon as well.

I emailed Seth this morning and I guess he has a lot of commitments with the Suns, but it seems like the Mercury could be a commitment too. Or it would be nice, especially since it's during the NBA off season.

He should be able to do the scouting of both male and female college talent. It could be ideal for Coangelo he'd save money by having him combine scouting trips :twisted:

just a thought.

kittymommy2 · Guest Joined: 06 Aug 2002 Posts: 1 Location: Phoenix

I know Charli from having followed ASU women for years. I really doubt that she would leave ASU. I think I remember her saying she wouldn't leave until they have won a national championship. But I agree someone else is needed.. Look what Charli did at ASU in 6 years-back to back 20+ win seasons, the 1st PAC 10 championship, and winnig the inaugural PAC 10 conference tourney(even if the championship T-shirts were in Stanfords colors!) There has GOT to be someone out there.

gia · Guest

Well the name that Metcalfe keeps bringing up in his articles is Agler. Mentioned him again today......actually, he quotes him regarding Jen.

Is that because he's on the top of the short list or is he the only one he has access to?

It's starting to make me nauseous :x

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

Agler has to be a smokescreen... I can't envisage anyone hiring him.

PLEASE don't prove me wrong, SS and other Mercury staff.

Mat H · Guest Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

Agler?!....Good thing I haven't eaten yet! :cry:

SportsFan48 · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1138

I don't know much about the college choices or the assistants that you all have mentioned, but I have seen Alger and Lieberman in action. Alger made terrible decisions in his player rotations and who to have on the court at critical times. Maybe he would fit in better than we thought.

I think Lieberman burned to many bridges when she left here. I can understand her wanting to play more and feeling like she could contribute. I don't think there is a player in the WNBA that doesn't feel the same way - and I know I wouldn't want anyone on my team who didn't feel that way. However, there were better ways to handle the situation and I lost respect for her in the way she handled her situation with Phoenix.

Mat H · Guest Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

I agree SP48, however, coaches such as NL and Agler are not the answers the Mercury NEED. Agler had alot of talent with players such as Smith, Abrosimova, and even Lennox, yet, no playoffs...ever! NL is another ego the Mercury don't need. We need a coach whos sole perpose is to win. Not trying to prove to themselfs they deserve the position.

gia · Guest

"This is Who I Am - I am Nancy Lieberman" satire posted on ESPN board

Read here

gia · Guest

It's official?

According to today's Republic, the short list is

Linda Sharp
Brian Agler
Nancy Lieberman
Kevin Cook
Carrie Graf

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

That was a very troubling article. :cry:

That short list isn't inspiring much confidence, but I suppose after the last limb they went out on broke and dropped them into a firey lava pit, they are playing it safe and not even considering anything chancey :x

gia · Guest

Yes, troubling. Basically, the list consists of everyone he passed up in 2000. substituting Agler (the genius who traded Betty Lennox AND Minn's 2003 first round pick to Miami for rookie Tamara Moore) for Anne Donovan

Kevin Cook would be the pick of the litter. Agler and Lieberman are just other team's litter.

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

:? :? :? :shock: :shock: :( :( :cry: :cry: :cry: panic is about to set in....... hopefully, very hopefully - unless its Graf or Cook - having a short list does not preclude looking at other options

eaction83 · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 130 Location: Fremont, CA

Ugh, ugh, ugh.

I'm surprised, though, that the team would be so open to the press about having interest in Cook and Graf, since their current teams are still playing and preparing for the postseason. In most pro leagues it would be against the rules to name such candidates. Unless we're all way off base and Jeff is only hearing speculation from third-hand sources. But that would be just as unusual.