WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[RogK]

Yup, she did, Mr Ypsi.
For several years, she was AD and head coach, as was Jack Surridge at North Park.
Kerans dropped the AD gig and Surridge did the opposite, staying as the AD.
I wonder if either ever called themselves into their office for a chat!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Yup, she did, Mr Ypsi.
For several years, she was AD and head coach, as was Jack Surridge at North Park.
Kerans dropped the AD gig and Surridge did the opposite, staying as the AD.
I wonder if either ever called themselves into their office for a chat!

What I'm waiting for is a coach/AD where the AD flat-out fires the coach!

I suspect I'll be waiting a while!

[RogK]

Has anyone heard a rumor that IWU has cancelled next year's athletics schedule so that maximum resources can be devoted to Y3K preparations?

[sumfun]

Except for the fact that it's April 9th....April Fools?!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Except for the fact that it's April 9th....April Fools?!

I think RogK is just desperate for conversation on this board!

Alas, I have no recruiting news to post.

I AM curious to hear opinions about continued Titan domination - they graduate only one key player, but what a player!  With Christina Solari gone, I'm guessing they are still the team to beat, but are they THE team to beat?  (UWSP got 'em this year, but are they still a threat to finish at home in March?)

[WUPHF]

Out of curiosity: what are the odds that Illinois State goes after Coach Mia?

[Titan Q]

Out of curiosity: what are the odds that Illinois State goes after Coach Mia?

I would say almost zero chance.  If Illinois State decided to hire a Division III coach (which I do not see happening), I just can't see that it would be from the Division III school down the street.  There is just kind of a hard-to-explain dynamic there between ISU and IWU.  Ultimately I think you'll see ISU hire either an assistant at a major program or a head coach at a lower D1.  Outgoing coach Robin Pingeton (now here in Columbia, Mo.) started her career at her alma mater, NAIA St. Ambrose, but she was on the staff at Iowa St before getting the Illinois State job.  I think if Mia Smith wants to get to D1, she'll have to make a similar move first.

Actually, it is a shame for ISU that they probably won't even consider her.  Mia Smith has proven to be a tremendous recruiter of Illinois talent.  I don't think that would change at Illinois State, where you're looking in a lot of the same places.  Mia has roots in southern Illinois (from little Farina, and played at SIU-E) and has obviously proven she can recruit the Chicago area.

But good for IWU - it seems she'll have the Titans in the conference title hunt almost every year.

[WUPHF]

I would say almost zero chance.  

Thanks for the answer.  I had selfishly hoped you would say something else, but not for the reasons one might expect.

My wife teaches at a local high school, and one of her students is the best point guard in the state, and happens to be one of the smartest students my wife has ever had.  She is headed to Illinois State in the fall and deserves an exceptional coach.  

The coaching world is so incredibly interesting.  If you are Illinois State, you have in Mia Smith a proven head coach, and also a proven recruiter who knows how to find talent in the city and region that matters most to your success.  You have a coach who is obviously committed to the community.  And, most importantly, you have someone that brings a style of basketball that is flat-out fun to watch.
_____

Mr. Ypsi: I know what you are thinking after reading my post.  Titan fans also deserve an exceptional coach.  You obviously have great fans and a great tradition.  How could I disagree with you there?

[WUPHF]

And, while I know very little about the sport, it seems to me that Illinois State would run a similar level of risk hiring Mia Smith as they would hiring a Division I assistant coach. 

I know at least one local Division I institution that went for the big hire, a former Pac 10 Assistant Coach, but what has she done for them lately?  Nothing.

[RogK]

Hey Hoosier Titan,
Are you still in England?
Looks like an interesting day in the UK, with Icelandic volcano ash causing air traffic to halt.
The airborne ash might result in a pretty sunset.
Will you pay attention to the PM candidate debate?

[Hoosier Titan]

Rog,
Yes, here for exactly two more months.  It is very grey; not sure I would have noticed much difference in the weather except that it was supposed to be sunny and it isn't!  (But that is not unusual).  All airports in the UK and Scandinavia are closed; it now seems to have spread to the Continent as well. 

Today is the 21st anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster:  thousands of Liverpool Football Club fans (that's what we call soccer) went to a semi-final match in a national tournament and, because of police and organizational incompetence, 96 of them were crushed to death when too many people were forced into too small a space. No one has ever been held fully accountable, although a new inquiry has just been launched and thousands of documents released.  This is by way of answering your question about whether we'll watch the debate tonight, and the answer is no.  We're going to hear friends perform at an open mic night at a folk music club.  This is held in a pub that was built in the 14th century!  We practiced, and might possibly perform, a Liverpool song in tribute.

I mention this because this day always makes me realize how much anyone who attends sporting events, or concerts, or plays, or even religious services or school depends upon organizations to make sure the premises are safe and not overcrowded.   Thankfully, this can be taken for granted.

We'll be here for the election...not sure I can take much speechmaking.  At least they are limited to about a month of campaigning here.

[RogK]

This link
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/destination/stadiums/index.html
may interest you, HT.

[Titan Q]

Out of curiosity: what are the odds that Illinois State goes after Coach Mia?

I would say almost zero chance.  If Illinois State decided to hire a Division III coach (which I do not see happening), I just can't see that it would be from the Division III school down the street.  There is just kind of a hard-to-explain dynamic there between ISU and IWU.  Ultimately I think you'll see ISU hire either an assistant at a major program or a head coach at a lower D1.  Outgoing coach Robin Pingeton (now here in Columbia, Mo.) started her career at her alma mater, NAIA St. Ambrose, but she was on the staff at Iowa St before getting the Illinois State job.  I think if Mia Smith wants to get to D1, she'll have to make a similar move first.

Actually, it is a shame for ISU that they probably won't even consider her.  Mia Smith has proven to be a tremendous recruiter of Illinois talent.  I don't think that would change at Illinois State, where you're looking in a lot of the same places.  Mia has roots in southern Illinois (from little Farina, and played at SIU-E) and has obviously proven she can recruit the Chicago area.

But good for IWU - it seems she'll have the Titans in the conference title hunt almost every year.

This is who Illinois State is hiring...

http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/glance_stephanie00.html

[WUPHF]

This is who Illinois State is hiring...

http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/glance_stephanie00.html

Thanks for posting!  Incidentally, it looks like the student I mentioned may be headed in your direction if everything falls in to place, though the quick hire may be enough to convince her that the first choice was the best choice.

[RogK]

Congratulations to Millikin's Dick Marshall. Tomorrow, he'll be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (and I assume they'll let him go home later in the day).
Prior to his current 15 years as an assistant at Millikin, he worked 33 years as a head coach at the high school level. That's quite a history for a guy who's only 52 years of age!