Women's Basketball Program

[jdelta02]

Loss of Jordan Danberry (to an extent..also Bibby, Espinoza-Hunter),, change of coaches and systems, some coaching and player growing pains, SEC being much improved, players losing confidence, overall energy level being down...all appear to be big keys to he team's decline thus far this season. Also, though very talented players, staff possibly not working with near the idea personel for her particular system. Offensively, Coach Schaefer had been mostly utilizing the Vance Walberg motion dribble drive, especially over the previous 2 seasons. Coach McCray-Penson and staff may or maynot have even known how to continue successfully running this even if they wanted to incorporate it or apects of it into what they do. Reported that Coach Schaefer went to Atlanta to learn it himself. Defensively, Coach Schaefer...utilized heavy pressure, emphasizing high level conditioning, effort and energy...sustained, wearing teams down.

Appears that new staff went a good bit away from the system that was in place....wheels came off. Taking a lot more time than the coaching staff and fans had previous thought to successfully implement the new system with this team, especially with the talent level and high preseason expectations. I still see potential in Coach McCray-Penson. She will need to assess, regroup,, and adjust moving forward. Take this as a learning experience, move forward while using it to your advantage. Why can't she eventually turn this thing around? Adversity is one thing, how you handle, respond it is another. Recommend...give her time, support as she attempts to right the ship moving forward.

I feel that I was the main supporter of giving the job to Coach Johnnie Harris, long time with Coach Schaefer's system at Miss. State, with him and Gary Blair at Texas A&M as well. Though, after Coach McCray-Penson got the jiob....put my support behind her and her staff. Still support.