Our Problem is Recruiting

[SoonerNorm]

About a decade ago, I snuck into an ESPN.com chat with Sherri Coale and bombarded it with questions. When I got one through, it was about how to sustain the success she had early on at OU. Her answer was that it was all about recruiting.

Alas, one of our top in-state talents is likely headed elsewhere later today and I haven't really been excited about a recruit since Danielle Robinson and Whitney Hand.

I love OU and I love Sherri Coale. My expectations off court are the same as always, that our team and coaching staff will continue to make the community proud. On-court, I no longer expect Big 12 championships, deep NCAA runs, etc. Those expectations are now for the men's side of Lloyd Noble

To me, it's very sad that we have to lower our expectations for this program. It is hard to come to that realization. But, when I look at Baylor and Texas and see how their recruiting is skyrocketing, I can't say you're wrong.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Obviously you have not seen Llanusa play.

I like Ana a lot; however, I don't think she will be a program changer. I'm hoping she can make up for the loss of Peyton. Can Chelsea make up for the loss of Gioya? I'm not sure. We still need at least two dominant players and right now I don't see them on the horizon.

 

[sybarite]

I saw the Choctaw-Muskogee semi-final game: Wilson vs Llanusa. Ana was better.

There used to be a lot of talk about Franks and Roberts. Whatever happened to them?

 

[skilledserv]

I like Ana a lot; however, I don't think she will be a program changer. I'm hoping she can make up for the loss of Peyton. Can Chelsea make up for the loss of Gioya? I'm not sure. We still need at least two dominant players and right now I don't see them on the horizon.

While she isnt a program changer, she's a great piece to have. Wilson is a better ball player but she's not a program changer either

 

[SoonerNorm]

While she isnt a program changer, she's a great piece to have. Wilson is a better ball player but she's not a program changer either

I agree with you. I sure wish we had both girls coming to OU.

 

[Soonerfan3205]

I like Ana a lot; however, I don't think she will be a program changer. I'm hoping she can make up for the loss of Peyton. Can Chelsea make up for the loss of Gioya? I'm not sure. We still need at least two dominant players and right now I don't see them on the horizon.

How does anyone know wether or not a kid will be a "program changer" or not? There are a lot of very talented girls basketball players out there. I see them all the time at tournments. Program Changers in my opinion are the kids who not only have talent, athetic ability, etc, but more importantly have the heart, the passion and willingness to go above and beyond day in and day out for their team to be successful.

"Program Changer" is not just talent, it is the stuff within an athlete that no one sees. It is the extra time at the gym when no one is watching, it is the attitude with team and coaches, it is the willingness to go further than others, it is a leader. Just look at our own Baker Mayfield, is he a "program changer"? JMO

 

[SoonerNorm]

How does anyone know wether or not a kid will be a "program changer" or not? There are a lot of very talented girls basketball players out there. I see them all the time at tournments. Program Changers in my opinion are the kids who not only have talent, athetic ability, etc, but more importantly have the heart, the passion and willingness to go above and beyond day in and day out for their team to be successful.

"Program Changer" is not just talent, it is the stuff within an athlete that no one sees. It is the extra time at the gym when no one is watching, it is the attitude with team and coaches, it is the willingness to go further than others, it is a leader. Just look at our own Baker Mayfield, is he a "program changer"? JMO

I agree that it takes a lot of talent but the other things you mentioned are critical as well, especially hard work. BTW, I love Baker!

 

[womenssports]

NOT jumping on the quote or Syb's response, just making a point about recruiting.

How you treat a recruit is not all there is to good recruiting. It is an important part but if you are not recruiting top recruits, not staying with them, not recruiting the players that fit your system, etc., then just doing what this parent has said does not prove you are good at recruiting but good at one part. AND my own personal beef. Yes, we always seem to recruit "nice" women but this is a public university and since you all think Sherri teaches her players so much about life and responsibility, then maybe we could recruit a player who hasn't had the same opportunities so maybe isn't as nice but as talented or more so, and be a good influence in their lives. Kind of like the football team recruits the best players........only they don't try to make them better people AND that is part of the responsibility of the university.

I am not jumping into the argument of whether Sherri and staff are good recruiters, I am just making a point that this one experience (which I have no reason to not believe is not how all recruits are treated) does not prove one way or another about how well OU recruits.


EDIT: Sorry, about other issues I addressed, so I deleted. We are all adults and it is not my place to repeat things I have addressed previously. Just was bothering me, but that is my issue.

 

[Soonerfan3205]

Like I said this has been "my daughters" experience. I can't speak for others and their experience. I do believe OU is going after top recruits. I do believe every kid has their own dreams and goals and some may not be interested in OU. My daughter has been recruited by many top schools and gives them all the same answer., "I am committed to OU". Even against my own advice. Recruiting is really a crazy experience, some of these coaches may have been car salesmen in another life. It can be crazy and overwhelming for recruits, but also a priceless experience. I personally think we (OU) are moving in the right direction and have a chance to get some great kids who want to put OU back in a Final Four!

 

[sybarite]

I think with Nancy Mulkey, Chelsea Dungee, Ana Llanusa, Maddie Manning, EJ, Gabbi, Penzo, and Vivi, there is a foundation of a title. Wouldn't mind seeing a bit more help. But, I like this group.

 

[SKSooner]

I have seen OU Fans voice concerns on here about the coaching staff "not recruiting", "not staying in contact", "not building relationships", etc on this board. My own experience through the recruiting of my daughter has been remarkable. They have stayed in contact on a regular basis, attend max allowed games, summer games and have made her feel like she is already a part of the OU Family.

My daughter loves SC and every coach on the staff. They have checked on her when she battled an injury, lifted her up when she had a tough loss and have shown me that they genuinely care about her as a person, not just a player. I don't know anyone else's experience, but ours has been truly great!

What a great post from someone who actually has an idea what they are talking about. It's refreshing to hear the truth and how the coaching staff works and recruits, as opposed to people who continually analyze our program though a cynical lens.

 

[BigTime]

I have seen OU Fans voice concerns on here about the coaching staff "not recruiting", "not staying in contact", "not building relationships", etc on this board. My own experience through the recruiting of my daughter has been remarkable. They have stayed in contact on a regular basis, attend max allowed games, summer games and have made her feel like she is already a part of the OU Family.

My daughter loves SC and every coach on the staff. They have checked on her when she battled an injury, lifted her up when she had a tough loss and have shown me that they genuinely care about her as a person, not just a player. I don't know anyone else's experience, but ours has been truly great!

Thanks for the firsthand account.

 

[sybarite]

It probably might help our perspective and sense of reality if we were to study these posts by parents and others who have close contact with the program as opposed to those of the disgruntled. If you remember, we also had Whitney Hand's father on the board with a great deal of knowledge about both the team and basketball, having been a pretty good player himself, not to mention his years in professional baseball. They provide us with accurate information.

 

[womenssports]

Like I said this has been "my daughters" experience. I can't speak for others and their experience. I do believe OU is going after top recruits. I do believe every kid has their own dreams and goals and some may not be interested in OU. My daughter has been recruited by many top schools and gives them all the same answer., "I am committed to OU". Even against my own advice. Recruiting is really a crazy experience, some of these coaches may have been car salesmen in another life. It can be crazy and overwhelming for recruits, but also a priceless experience. I personally think we (OU) are moving in the right direction and have a chance to get some great kids who want to put OU back in a Final Four!

To be clear, I wasn't discounting your post and appreciate hearing about your experience. I was just making the point that there are other things to recruiting. AND was not saying that your daughter is not a top recruit, who fits our system and will be a big advantage to our program. I don't even know who she is but if I did, I still would not say anything negative, if I thought it. From what you have just posted, she is a top recruit and I have no reason to believe she won't move the program forward. So, I apologize if
you found my post offensive. I certainly did not intend for it to be nor did I mean to somehow discount your daughter's talent.

Thanks for posting about your daughter's and your experience.