re: Kristy Curry to USF

They asked Ace's dad at his introductory presser about her joining him at JSU. He said she's happy at Bama but waiting to see how much of an emphasis they put on the program with this new hire. So....
As it looks now, I'm afraid it doesn't look like they are putting a big emphasis on the program. (if these rumors are true)
I still believe in Byrne and think he will make a good hire in spite of these rumors.

If there is only enough money to make football and men's basketball national championship contenders, you have to cut the budget elsewhere. We don't have a billionaire booster to turn Alabama athletics into his new toy.

TNews Today

quote:

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It's time.

It's past time, really. But overdue as it is, Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne has a chance to make the right move with the UA women's basketball program by hiring Madonna Thompson from Shelton State Community College. The former Alabama guard, who played on the program's only Final Four team, is so much more than the easy choice down the street.

She's the best choice.

There are reliable rumblings that Thompson is indeed a candidate for the job. Byrne mentioned in a statement about former coach Kristy Curry's departure that the search for her replacement would be national. He wouldn't be doing right by the program if he didn't explore every option, but in this case, a hyperlocal search is the way to go.

Her resume is, in a word, staggering.

The Lady Buccaneers just went 30-4 and reached the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division I tournament. It's the 13th time they've won 30-plus games in Thompson's 28 seasons, and their 26th year in a row to win 20-plus. Her career record of 779-158 represents a winning percentage of .831. She's piled up 20 conference championships, been to NJCAA Final Fours, and probably has enough coach of the year awards to fill a mantle.

Perhaps more importantly, nobody outworks her, or her players.

Thompson is a culture builder. That's a core task for any new coach, but even more so in a program that doesn't have the resources of a revenue-driving sport like football or men's basketball.

Curry recently left the Crimson Tide for the University of South Florida. She was hired by former Alabama AD Bill Battle in 2013, and 13 years later, she left the program in much better shape than she found it. UA has qualified for four consecutive NCAA Tournaments, and five of the last six, so nobody could fault the late Battle for the decision.

That said, Thompson was qualified at the time, and she's beyond qualified now. There's nobody better suited to take the baton from Curry and push the program to still higher achievement.

Alabama should bring Madonna Thompson home.

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Well they hired someone y'all gonna be upset with.

Whybwoukd they be mad about someone who can get top talent. Uconn is well coached but they have great players.

The question remains, if Thompson is so amazing, why hasn't she been hired by a Division I program anywhere? Doesn't that strike you as a bit odd?

I will admit I'm underwhelmed by this hire. It just seems like Byrne decided to go the bargain basement route with a hire no one has ever heard of. Again, as a previous poster showed, Bama is dead last in terms of spending for womens basketball, so I shouldn't be all that surprised.

I know we're never gonna spend like South Carolina. I get it but DEAD LAST in the SEC? Makes me think UA athletics is in terrible financial shape.

People said it would happen and this is how it happens to women’s sports.

Eventually all but a handful of women’s sports programs will be even more about Title IX compliance than ever before. The bare minimum you can get away with to meet statutory requirements.

You simply cannot afford to direct funds away from your revenue generating sports.