Absolutely agree. Let’s be real—Becky left the program in rough shape. The squad was bad, and the Fall 2021 schedule was packed with tough opponents like #20 USF, Texas, #19 UCF, #1 FSU, and #2 UNC. In Sam's three years, the only ranked non-conference team she’s faced has been FSU, likely more out of tradition than choice. She's heavily relied on international players but is starting to realize that Division 1 demands a higher caliber of talent. She’ll likely continue to lean on “culture” slogans, but at some point, the AD might grow tired of seeing WSOC fall short—not just of the NCAA tournament but even the SEC tournament. Missing the SEC tournament is hard to justify.
Summed it up! The first year she was there and won 0 SEC games, you can pass some sort of the blame on what was left for her. But year 3 now and 1 conference wins is not good enough for a program such as UF. She will be given another year because she was ex national team player and is in with the crowd, says the right stuff about culture and change but results simply aren't good enough.
OPEN: Oregon State (interim) UC Riverside (interim) Loyola Chicago (interim) Cal Poly (retirement 6/9) North Carolina (interim; retirement 8/9) Mississippi Valley State (8/25) Niagara (8/27) Maryland (10/10) Kansas State (10/28) Oregon (10/29) Illinois (10/30; retirement) Western Illinois (10/31) FILLED: Duke - Kieran Hall (Duke associate head; filled after Fall 2024 season retirement) San Francisco - Pinder Nijjar (interim; 9/17)
Agree 100%. We're so quick to just put the name on the board these days and I get that, but Janet Rayfield is a great person and legend really. She served as President of the Coaches Association at one point. I heard her speak at a recruiting conference many years ago and she was good then. Can't really speak to how she's 'evolved' in the NIL/Social Media/Portal world we are in today but she's given A LOT back to the game and is a good example for younger coaches. Kinda like Becky Burleigh at Florida, will not be easy to replace....
I would say this was not good take as Bakersfield made the Big West Tourney for the first time ever. Kudos to Coach Silva for turning the program around so quickly.
Agreed in so many levels here! “She's heavily relied on international players but is starting to realize that Division 1 demands a higher caliber of talent.“ Is where I would disagree. What are we talking about? US hasn’t performed in youth world cups for years now. The nonsense we are a powerhouse and talent overseas is non-existent has been shattered over and over again. MK at FSU relied on internationals and won. A lot. My point being: 1 - you need someone that KNOWS how to recruit internationally and have the right contacts. 2 - Much like the last two U.S. Youth National Teams in World Cups coaching is an issue. Florida has both of those problems, and more.
1000% agree. Sorry, that statement in my previous post was poorly written. What I meant is that the level of international recruits she’s used to bringing in will need to be drastically elevated. She can’t keep bringing in second-tier Swedish players like she did at the Division II level. If she’s going to recruit internationally, she’ll need to get the top-tier recruits, like Kikorian did.
I’m sure these can be continued and reported by others (paywall, this one at North Dakota): https://www.grandforksherald.com/sp...-voicing-concerns-regarding-facility-equality
Right, because "unlike other contact sports at UND, our team does not have access to a dedicated team doctor. We rely on a physician's assistant on call, which has led to delays in medical attention during games” should be viewed as complaining and entitlement.
I couldn’t see that far into the article. If there is an issue with medical attention during games that AD should be fired if they knew about it.
paywall removed... https://www.removepaywall.com/searc...-voicing-concerns-regarding-facility-equality My two cents: Outside of their "general feeling of marginalization" (I mean, you know you play soccer, right?), there seems to be a few actionable complaints here, particularly the alleged limited access to medical staff, especially since these issues aren't new: "Despite a 7-year-old agreement that outlined specific improvements, only a few promises have been fulfilled." Current head coach started in 2017 and "is in the final season of his contract." In other words, UND open soon one way or another.
Thanks for taking off the paywall. That is quite the letter. Seems like the complaint is against the administration but there is no way the coach keeps their job when the athletes are going after admins. Next question is who the heck is gonna want to coach in North Dakota? Especially with all this going on?
since 2000 program has only been above .500 2 times. I would say a tough place to be successful. Of course there are a few on this thread that would say they could do it!!!
OPEN: Oregon State (interim) UC Riverside (interim) Loyola Chicago (interim) Cal Poly (retirement 6/9) North Carolina (interim; retirement 8/9) Mississippi Valley State (8/25) Niagara (8/27) Maryland (10/10) Kansas State (10/28) Oregon (10/29) Illinois (10/30; retirement) Western Illinois (10/31) Wisconsin Green Bay (11/4) FILLED: Duke - Kieran Hall (Duke associate head; filled after Fall 2024 season retirement) San Francisco - Pinder Nijjar (interim; 9/17)
They've got to hire Nahas, yes, after the job he's done this season with a squad that went through a huge amount of turnover? He's done very well.