Ignatius L Hoops
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http://www.startribune.com/hiring-of-lindsay-whalen-goes-beyond-public-relations/479598603/
Chip is fired up:
Mark Coyle made a bold coaching hire Thursday, one that brings some risk but would be hard to top in generating excitement and feel-good nostalgia.
Bringing Lindsay Whalen back home to coach the Gophers women’s basketball team qualifies as a home run.
Athletic director Coyle just engineered a stealth coup. He wasn’t scared off by Whalen’s lack of coaching experience, or the fact that she’s still an active WNBA player. He trusted his gut and his eyes. Anyone who has paid attention to Whalen’s basketball career should understand why this decision makes perfect sense.
Coyle also heard glowing reports from some of the best basketball coaches in the game, including Lynx leader Cheryl Reeve and legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who coached Whalen in the Olympics. A source said Coyle and Auriemma had a phone conversation on Wednesday...
...But the upside far outweighs those concerns. The Gophers are getting plenty of substance with this PR splash. This move is as ambitious as it is smart.
Chip is fired up:
Mark Coyle made a bold coaching hire Thursday, one that brings some risk but would be hard to top in generating excitement and feel-good nostalgia.
Bringing Lindsay Whalen back home to coach the Gophers women’s basketball team qualifies as a home run.
Athletic director Coyle just engineered a stealth coup. He wasn’t scared off by Whalen’s lack of coaching experience, or the fact that she’s still an active WNBA player. He trusted his gut and his eyes. Anyone who has paid attention to Whalen’s basketball career should understand why this decision makes perfect sense.
Coyle also heard glowing reports from some of the best basketball coaches in the game, including Lynx leader Cheryl Reeve and legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who coached Whalen in the Olympics. A source said Coyle and Auriemma had a phone conversation on Wednesday...
...But the upside far outweighs those concerns. The Gophers are getting plenty of substance with this PR splash. This move is as ambitious as it is smart.