This year, we are launching our women’s basketball coaching search tracker. Here at The Ball Out, we feel women’s basketball is equal to all other sports; moreover, we believe that Athletic Directors need to be held accountable for their coaching searches. Too often, ADs drag their feet when it comes to coaching hires because they feel women’s basketball doesn’t deserve the priority like the major revenue sports: football and men’s basketball.
Well, we will bring attention to the timeline of coaching hires. And every day, we are going to update the timeline because if ADs can expedite their hires for other sports, we at The Ball Out are going to bring attention to the energy they put into the hires of women’s basketball coaches.
To know more about the names that we are hearing in these coaching searches, make sure to sign up for The Ball Out Insider.
Mississippi State (season ended on 3/3/22)
Days job was open: 9
- Update: Mississippi State hired Louisville assistant Sam Purcell on March 12th.
- The Ball Out Sources (3/5/22): We know for a fact that Doug Novak wants the job; however, he is not the number one choice for AD Doug Cohen. With the program teetering, players might start going into the portal if Cohen takes too long. Additionally, we know for a fact that many schools want some of the Mississippi State players to hit the portal.
Texas A&M (season ended on 3/2/22)
- Days job has been open: 19
- The Ball Out Sources (3/10/22): a new HUGE name has recently spoken with Texas A&M, and we are hearing that the Aggies met with this coach in person, too.
- The Ball Out Sources (3/5/22): Texas A&M has already interviewed some coaches, including a couple of (surprising) big names.
Virginia (head coach Tina Thompson was fired on 3/3/22)
- Days job has been open: 18
Arizona State (Charli Turner Thorne retired on 3/3/22)
- Days job has been open: 19
Illinois (Nancy Fahey retired on 3/4/22)
Days was open: 17
- Update: Illinois hires Dayton head coach Shauna Green. In our Insider, we mentioned Green being involved with Illinois.
- The Ball Out Sources (3/9/22): Illinois is willing to spend big money for their next head coach. And there is one name that we are hearing a lot as their top target.
UIC (Tasha Pointer was fired on 3/3/22)
Days job has been open: 18
- Oklahoma State (Jim Littrell, Oklahoma State part ways on 3/8/22)
Days job was open: 12
- Cal Poly (Faith Mimnaugh will not be back as head coach on 3/9/22)
Days job had been open: 12
The Ball Out Sources: Head coach Faith Mimnaugh is retiring, sources tell The Ball Out.
