I was expecting her to get a two-year extension though would have been pleased if they had let her go. Extending her for that long is in line with Knowlton's policy of rewarding mediocrity, hence Wilcox entering his 8th season. I hope I'm wrong and she merits the new deal but given her failure to beat any higher ranked team this season and lose to some below us, I'm skeptical. I've seen no evidence that she can challenge for a major conference title. I say this as someone who knows her personally and has great respect for her as a person and admirse much of what she's done as a teacher and leader.
Moving to the ACC, the two options are 1) reboot from scratch or 2) establish stability. Coach Smith is good enough to justify approach 2, though 2029 seems longer than absolutely necessary. Because women's basketball has become much more successful, elite recruiting is going to cost more NIL. I wouldn't expect us to crack the top 10 across a season. However, any well-coached team with 3-4 star-rated players in the tournament can make a run because top teams can't stash depth or jell as well. And those 4-stars will be more available for at least a rental due to the portal.
Overall, I'm not mad at the extension. My conflicted feelings have nothing to do with Coach Smith's ability and everything to do with the uncertainty of college sports and Cal's particular situation.
I'm moderately impressed with Coach Smith's results and trend line, so I don't mind the extension. But seeing what Coach LG has done at USC in such a short time, I can't help but wonder what could have been.
The amount of NIL money USC has access to dwarfs by far what Cal can draw -- across all sports. By herself, Juju got more NIL money than many whole programs.
Related: there are a lot of programs with a potential NIL pool that they can't tap because they don't have the right coach. LG unlocks that, with virtually no ceiling.
Also it's not just money. USC was trash before they hired LG. Cal went to the tourney almost every year with her, including the Final Four.
Hello AK. Any idea who Charmin might be looking at in the transfer portal? I know the primary need is a point guard to replace the sturdy Golden Bear, Leilani. Perhaps another forward? Post player?
By relaying his impressions gleaned from chalk-talks and more, OaklandBear72 made me a believer in Coach Smith, and he has proven over the years to have an excellent gut where coaches, staff and players are concerned in any Cal sport. For this reason, and for Charmin Smith’s very Berkeley sensibilities and drive, I am quite pleased that she has been the respect and — let’s call it tenure — that this extension provides her.
Just noting that Charmin also has recruited two Top 100 players for class of 2024 in addition to having done pretty well in the transfer portal the past two years and her teams have played increasingly competitive games even when they lost. On the Men's side it's a complete rebuild needed going to the foundations so really a wildcard as to what next year will be though the results in last year's transfer portal and coaching of the team certainly vastly improved Cal's competitiveness this past year. It is also a tough coaching position not knowing how the travel schedule is going to work out going to the ACC and managing the student needs part of her student-athletes. Much easier I would think for football.
I think it's all about the upward trajectory.
I was expecting her to get a two-year extension though would have been pleased if they had let her go. Extending her for that long is in line with Knowlton's policy of rewarding mediocrity, hence Wilcox entering his 8th season. I hope I'm wrong and she merits the new deal but given her failure to beat any higher ranked team this season and lose to some below us, I'm skeptical. I've seen no evidence that she can challenge for a major conference title. I say this as someone who knows her personally and has great respect for her as a person and admirse much of what she's done as a teacher and leader.
Moving to the ACC, the two options are 1) reboot from scratch or 2) establish stability. Coach Smith is good enough to justify approach 2, though 2029 seems longer than absolutely necessary. Because women's basketball has become much more successful, elite recruiting is going to cost more NIL. I wouldn't expect us to crack the top 10 across a season. However, any well-coached team with 3-4 star-rated players in the tournament can make a run because top teams can't stash depth or jell as well. And those 4-stars will be more available for at least a rental due to the portal.
Overall, I'm not mad at the extension. My conflicted feelings have nothing to do with Coach Smith's ability and everything to do with the uncertainty of college sports and Cal's particular situation.
I'm moderately impressed with Coach Smith's results and trend line, so I don't mind the extension. But seeing what Coach LG has done at USC in such a short time, I can't help but wonder what could have been.
Coach G also has oodles of NIL money. It makes a huge difference these days.
LG resurrected that program. It's getting NIL money now because of her.
The amount of NIL money USC has access to dwarfs by far what Cal can draw -- across all sports. By herself, Juju got more NIL money than many whole programs.
There are a lot of schools with NIL money that wanted Juju. Coach G was able to recruit her because she has something extra.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/dan-wolken/2024/03/29/southern-cal-coach-has-juju-watkins-trojans-evoking-memories/73135895007/
Related: there are a lot of programs with a potential NIL pool that they can't tap because they don't have the right coach. LG unlocks that, with virtually no ceiling.
Also it's not just money. USC was trash before they hired LG. Cal went to the tourney almost every year with her, including the Final Four.
I do think part of it was Juju wanting to play in her hometown as well.
Hello AK. Any idea who Charmin might be looking at in the transfer portal? I know the primary need is a point guard to replace the sturdy Golden Bear, Leilani. Perhaps another forward? Post player?
By relaying his impressions gleaned from chalk-talks and more, OaklandBear72 made me a believer in Coach Smith, and he has proven over the years to have an excellent gut where coaches, staff and players are concerned in any Cal sport. For this reason, and for Charmin Smith’s very Berkeley sensibilities and drive, I am quite pleased that she has been the respect and — let’s call it tenure — that this extension provides her.
Charmin is definitely looking for a PG in the portal.
I suspect that we also need a big or two to replace Michelle and Ila.
I think Nick will be better able to answer this, but I'd imagine a point, a shooter, and a big is definitely most critical to elevate this team.
Charmin has said she'll be looking for a forward and a point guard.
Just noting that Charmin also has recruited two Top 100 players for class of 2024 in addition to having done pretty well in the transfer portal the past two years and her teams have played increasingly competitive games even when they lost. On the Men's side it's a complete rebuild needed going to the foundations so really a wildcard as to what next year will be though the results in last year's transfer portal and coaching of the team certainly vastly improved Cal's competitiveness this past year. It is also a tough coaching position not knowing how the travel schedule is going to work out going to the ACC and managing the student needs part of her student-athletes. Much easier I would think for football.