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Mercury Fan · Joined: 31 Jul 2002 Posts: 53 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

They announced that there is a new coach but they won't say who. There is going to be a chat on October 25 at 10 a.m. with the new coach.

Check it out on the Mercury website.
http://www.wnba.com/mercury/

M-Mart · Joined: 08 Jul 2002 Posts: 6 Location: Oklahoma

Why aren't they telling us NOW who the new coach is? It makes me think that they don't know. Maybe they've made an offer to one, and are waiting for an answer, and if the answer is "no," then the "back-up" will be named. Oh wait, I know! The new coach is either Brian or Nancy, and Mercury management is presently getting out of town before the announcement is made next week.

gia · Guest

Sheesh. Just back from 4 days out of town I would have bet my last dollar I'd have come back to the good (I hope) news about the new coach but...........nothing. :(

mb · Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:49 am Post subject:

Announce it already! Seth is going to drive me bonkers!

Shu or Graffy??? Better not be Agler or NLC!

article:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/1017merc1017.html

tracey · Guest Joined: 17 Jul 2002 Posts: 146 Location: chandler AZ

Enough with the suspense. I gotta know. The wait is excruciating. You're killing me, Seth!

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

This is killing me! Announce it already :!: C'mon Shu.... :wink:

Tezza · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 27

More grist for the mail (from Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/10/17/1034561269490.html

Graf plays ace card

Carrie Graf has produced a trump card in her bid to become only the second foreign head coach in the US Women's National Basketball Association. Former Opals assistant Graf, 35, said she may be able to lure Australian vice-captain Trish Fallon back to the US after being interviewed for the head coach job at both Seattle and Phoenix. Graf expects to know next week whether she will be only the second foreigner behind fellow Australian Tom Maher to be a head coach in the WNBA.

gia · Guest

The plot thickens......

Wonder how much weight "may be able to" would have in the hiring decision. Can't imagine it's worth that much. If it said she has a committment from Fallon to return if she's hired, I imagine that would be a scale tipper

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1563 Location: Phoenix

To return for how long? I don't see it as a huge factor, but more as nice bonus if they pick Carrie.

So really, if they aren't announcing till next wednesday, do they even know who it is going to be?
Do they vote by secert ballot?
And why next wednesday, why not Monday?

ARGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

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

I thought they were announcing it tomarrow for a live chat on the Mercury's website and the press conference was next Wednesday. I won't be able to make it until next Wednesday :? ( if you know what I mean.) I still have a gut feeling Graf may get the positon although Shu is my pick.

Tezza · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 27

For what it's worth, today's Canberra Times had an article (not posted on the Internet) by David Fitzpatrick (Canberra answer to Jeff Metcalfe!) on this subject. Fitzpatrick quoted Carrie Graf as saying she would take the first of the two coaching jobs offered to her and not wait around to see if the second comes up.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:58 pm Post subject:

She'd want to - it's not like she can afford to be picky!

For the record I don't see the 'possibility of Fallon' as such a trump card either.
Firstly, there's no guarantees. Secondly, sure Fallon's good but she's not exactly a star, and thirdly as already said, it would probably just be for one season anyway, so who needs the disruption.
(Obviously I support all the Aussie players around the W, but when each season becomes a "will they or won't they play?" question, even I can see that it's a negative compared to recruiting a "local" player)

So anyway - how much clout does caune have within the Mercury organisation then huh??!!
When she first mentioned Schumate I was like "who?", and his name never even came up in discussions about possible coaches. Now he's become a leading candidate. I'm impressed!

Hope he gets the job & Carrie gets the Seattle gig.

Now make a decision already guys!

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1563 Location: Phoenix

Dan you flatter me :oops:
There is a whole group of Shu supporters, MatH, Gia, MB, I mean, I only sent one e-mail;)
Although I will admit, I thought they should have hired Shumate instead of Cynthia. So I have been a Shumate supporter for a while now. It was his year of broadcasting for the Merc. I can't remember any particular thing he said but I recall he was very perceptive in picking up on players personalities and acknowledging their skills, or lack of skills. His coaching record shows he's learned and improved...and he has a coaching record, isn't that a treat
:P

I just really really hope that line in Jeffs article that said Agler was picking up supporters is some kind of joke :x

mb · Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2002 8:23 am Post subject:

If it comes to be Agler, I will still attend games...though I will be spewing profanities under my breathe.

Sounds like it is between John Shumate and Carrie Graf.

Adamantly, I supported Graffy's hiring over Cooper, yet at this time I lean towards Shu by the slightest of margins. My dream scenario has Shu getting the head coaching job and Carrie being convinced to rejoin the Mercury as an assistant. Note: she deserves to be a head coach, be it here or Seattle.

Having e-mailed Rodney (Trish Fallon's husband), I know he would welcome the opportunity to return as public address announcer. Her return this year is a possibility with either coach in my opinion.

Hopefully Maria will return ready (or close) to dominate. Her responses to fan e-mails impressed me. If Korstine or Fallon or both return, I like the initial roster tremendously.

Hope I make it 'til Wednesday. Go Mercury!!!

gia · Guest

Agler. Ugh. I didn't renew yet and if some insane thought process by the powers that be justifies him being the selection I'd be hard pressed to renew a season ticket package. In fact, it would be 99.9% certain that I would only attend the games I really wanted to see.

The majority of the fans want either Shumate or Graf. It would be a major snub if it's anyone other than one of those two.

Also agree that as much as Fallon would be a nice side note to hiring Graf if she can pull it off, I don't see her as a "star" either. A nice asset but not a season changing addition. I'd rather see someone who's committed for the longer haul. Really.....if she'll come for Graf, she should be willing to come for Shumate.

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

I added some additional seats to my season tickets and just from the conversation with Mark, I think its Carrie Graf.

He asked me who I would like to have as coach and I mentioned Shu and he said I was the first person to come out in support of him. Then he asked me how I felt about Graf, kind of like testing the waters. He was concerned the Shu didn't have name recognition to draw fans and I told him that if the team plays well and wins that would draw the fans.

So I'm adding my two cents.

I can't wait until Wednesday!

Go Shu :!:

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

I have the same gut feeling :? Why does this organization make coaching decisions based on who will be more popular :?: Do they not learn from their mistakes...
Shu if anything would help bring more male fans into the arena. Graf isn't exactly going to fill the arena either. Choose the coach based on qualities because wins and proper media coverage is the ONLY thing that will put butts in seats :!:

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2002 8:42 pm Post subject:

Quote: I have the same gut feeling Why does this organization make coaching decisions based on who will be more popular

Exactly!
Geez don't they get it??
Who cares about name recognition. We need the best possible coach!!
If we actually win some games, then just maybe the fans will be happier than to lose under someone they've heard of.
Damn, I can't believe that.
I'm sure every great coach was a no-name at some stage.
Plus I'll take someone I've never heard of in an instant over someone I *know* will be bad (not mentioning any Lynx names of course)

Please do the right thing, Merc. You've made mistakes, now LEARN FROM 'EM!

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1563 Location: Phoenix

Shumate has name recognition, among actual basketball fans :wink: Maybe not Mercury fans, but people who have followed Phoenix basketball whether as a Suns fan or a Grand Canyon fan or a College baskeyball fan know who this guy is.
I want a good coach, not a good name!

mb · Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2002 10:02 am Post subject:

If they discount Shumate for fear of lack of name recognition for WNBA fans, and pick someone with a name just to fill the seats, I will be very disappointed with the organization.

Didn't we make that mistake with Cooper, and didn't it set us back two years???!!!???

Two years ago was the time for Graf. Now is the time for Shumate.

********************************************************

Interesting: Jeff Metcalfe posted the following on AZCentral:

link:

http://www.azcentral.com/phorum/read.php?f=35&i=569&t=567

Four candidates?

1)John Shumate, 2)Carrie Graf, 3)Brian Agler? (NO!), 4)Nacy Lieberman-Cline? (NO!)

Rumors have it that the organization is leaning towards a male coach. Also Danny Ainge has been in discussions with the Colangelos.

Don't know if I'll make it 'til Wednesday, and now I'm not sure I'll be elated.

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

[quote="mb"]If they discount Shumate for fear of lack of name recognition for WNBA fans, and pick someone with a name just to fill the seats, I will be very disappointed with the organization.

Couldn't have said it better myself :evil:

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

mb, if it was Graf's time 2 yrs ago and management screwed it up - why wouldn't it still be her 'time'.... Graf has shown she can contribute... here and in Seattle, last season Seattle did better than any other season, 2 key changes, Bird and Graf as assistant. Yes, Bird showed she was talented but when watching televised Seattle games it was clear that Lin was listening to Graf.

As to hiring a 'name' - there aren't any 'name' candidates being considered - I don't consider Agler or Lieberman as 'name' and certainly Graf and Shumate aren't either..... but the last time the Merc did this, there wasn't a 'name' candidate until really late in the process

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

I think what MB was trying to say was new blood is needed, badly! Graf should have just taken over the reigns from Miller, yet the organization choose Cooper. We don't need to back step, yet, move forward with Shu :) It is past due for a new breath of air for the remaining players and fans.

Mercury Fan · Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2002 2:35 pm Post subject:

Who do you think the new coach is?
:?:

gillomfan · Guest Joined: 16 Jun 2002 Posts: 262

I am so anxious and excited to find out who the new coach is. Someone above mentioned Danny Ainge is also being considerd. He was great with the Suns. I would love it if he would become coach of the Mercury. But John Schumate is who I really want. Whoever it is though I will support him or her. I hope the next coach is treated better then Cynthia Cooper. She did not deserve that at all. I still really admire her.

I have a feeling there may be a "dark horse" waiting in the wings. At any rate Monday can't get here soon enough. Oh the drama! Go Mercruy!

mb · Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2002 3:51 pm Post subject:

Cbibat,

Besides being totally impressed with the gentleman, I have been pulling for Shu because he is a fresh face and the players have stated a preference for a male coach. He does have experience and is knowledgeable.

A friend just e-mailed me some fantastic arguments for Carrie Graf, which gave me a moment of pause. Having yearned for her hire two years ago, I should only be more enthused about the opportunity to get her now, with even more experience. As my friend pointed out: she is one of the best women's basketball coaches in the world, has been in the WNBA 4 years (3 with the Mercury under difficult head coaches). I'll add that she has a 83% win percentage as head coach in the WNBL.

Point is, Graffy is not only deserving, she is also very qualified.

My dream scenario has us hiring both Graf and Shumate...one as head coach, one as assistant. Wednesday can't come quick enough.

mb · Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2002 3:58 pm Post subject:

Hopefully I'm not speaking out of turn, yet I believe most of us pulling for John Shumate would be perfectly happy with Carrie Graf (right Caune, Gia, others?). Maybe not Mat H.

Looks like it will be one or the other. Sounds like there is also a concensus that it not be Agler, NLC, or some "name" only coach.

Go Mercury!

gia · Guest

I'd be perfectly happy if it's Shumate. I'd be happy if it's Graf. I'd be disgusted if it's Agler.

M-Mart · Guest Joined: 08 Jul 2002 Posts: 6 Location: Oklahoma

Does anyone have any idea what's going to happen with Linda Sharp after the dust settles?

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

thought I heard she was going back to the college team she coached last year. had a successfull year, first time in school's history the team had a winning record

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1563 Location: Phoenix

I would be fine with the team hiring Carrie.
I would prefer John, but really it is just a feeling I have had based on his statements on the radio and his attendance at games. Graf is the logical choice, and after the illogical choice of Cooper, Graf is the safe choice, and I do think she is a very good coach very deserving of the job....but I just have this feeling about Shumates ability to get the best out of some players who show flashes of brilliance (Adrian and Lisa in particular) and to allow the players to be the show, not the coach...but I can certainly live with the logical choice because I do think Carrie would do a good job too.

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

I don't have a problem with Graf either. I will admit that I believe Shu would take this team farther, but I would support the team if Graf as coach. ( although Gillom would be her elder.) :shock:

SportsFan48 · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1138

It has been a while since I have posted here, but I have checked in every now and then to see how things are going. I think Carrie is going to be our next coach. I think that is why they are waiting for Wednesday to make the announcement. She needs to be here for the press conference and probably isn't. John is here. If they had chosen him, they could make the announcement now. And I don't think "a name" has anything to do with it.

I would welcome either John or Carrie. I can see pros and cons for both, but I see them as equal in what they can do.

On a side note: I think the Suns and Seth missed a great opportunity to plug the Mercury the other night at the Suns/Houston preseason game. Jennifer was there and I was waiting all night for her to be on the screen as a Gold Medal winner this summer and WNBA Sportsmanship award winner.

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

I don't really care as long as we get a coach who knows what they're doing!

gillomfan · Guest Joined: 16 Jun 2002 Posts: 262

We all need to remember that a coach is not here to please the fans. He/she is here to coach a team and help them win games and hopefuly a title. Cynthia Cooper had us winning. Many didn't agree with her style but most of the players did. The ones I talked to said she motivated them. Cynthia is not perfect. Nobody is. I for one am tired of the Cooper bashing. I try to not bash Linda. Coaching is hard. I would make a bad one. Hiring Cynthia was not a mistake. Since the players liked her why can't you people let it go? Regardless of what she did she in no way deserved to be treated bad.

What's wrong with Brian Agler? His team in the other women's team won championships. Remember, the Lynx are an expansion team. They came close to making the playoffs their first year. Had Brandy stayed sane they would of made it. With that said I don't think a whole lot of him either but should management decide he's the one I'll have to support him. We have to trust management. They try to please the XFactor but there comes a point when have to do what they believe is right. Because there are always those who have to complain about everything.

At any rate, the anticipation builds by the moment. I can hardly wait until tomorrow. Go Mercury!

gia · Guest

I'm just tired of hearing her name.....good or bad :!: A lot of us talked to players and many of them did NOT like her. It all depends on who you talk to and whether they felt comfortable enough to speak freely. It doesn't matter at this point anyway. She's gone. Some rejoiced, some cried, some just shrugged their shoulders. It's old news.

Brian Agler - Since coming to the WNBA he has done nothing even remotely close to what he did in the ABL. He had 4 years to get them to the playoffs and all they did was get consistently worse every season. They are well past being able to use the expansion team excuse. This is their 5th season and there are teams that came into the league after them that have done better.

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1563 Location: Phoenix

My problem with Agler is that since he has joined the WNBA he couldn't recognize a post player if she hit him on the top of the head....and since we have Maria, a promising but still a tad uncertain center, we need a coach who can coach all our players but especially potential stars like Maria. I fear Agler would move Lisa to center :wink:
BTW, Agler was Lisa's coach in the ABL for at least one year...I wonder what she thinks of him as a potential coach?

gillomfan · Guest Joined: 16 Jun 2002 Posts: 262

I didn't realize the Lynx have been in theleague 5 years now. My how time flies. He has made some unwise decisions. Like trading Betty Lennox. I guess I stuck my foot in my mouth again. He would be a bad choice.

gia · Guest

I'm confused. Is the announcement supposed to be today or Wednesday??

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1563 Location: Phoenix

Good question Gia, Jeffs article says Friday......so expect it to be friday, just to make it fun;)