This quote is unbelievably telling

[Oliver Hardy]

I saw this quote by Sherri when it was first reported. I thought it was unbelievably telling and Norm mentioned it in another thread.

I think this is one of the most devastating indictments of a team I've ever seen a coach make. Additionally, Sherri is admitting pointedly that she has lost control of this squad, cannot make them play hard and with any kind of team work, determination and toughness.

I know what I take from that, but let's read what all of you think, especially you pumpers.

Sherri is getting a million bucks a year and she says she can't successfully do her job?

Yes, players are a big part of the problem, but why does she keep doing the same thing with these players that, for someone unbelievable reason, can't or won't get it together.

I think her bench her starters in the OSU game was one of the boldest moves Sherri has ever made, but that's just me.

This deserves it's own discussion.

Here's the quote and link:

Sooner coach Sherri Coale couldn't say the same about her squad's overall effort level, calling it “unacceptable.” It's the latest turn in a ping-pong type of season for OU — play well one game, poorly the next — that has the esteemed coach still searching for answers as the team nears the final stretch of Big 12 play.

“I'm having trouble making sense of a lot with this basketball team, I'll be honest with you,” Coale said. “I've never felt as inept at pushing their buttons. I just cannot seem to get them continually ready.

“I've tried everything I can think of, and then I've started making stuff up and just trying and inventing things to try to get this group ready every day. It's a challenge. It's been a real challenge …

“We'll keep plugging at it. I'll go down trying, that's for sure. But it's been quite a conundrum.”

http://newsok.com/bedlam-womens-basketball-no.-12-oklahoma-state-rolls-past-oklahoma/article/3934390

 

[MisterF]

Nothing wrong with being honest. Any coach that coaches long enough has a team that is a mystery. All you can do is keep pushing, evaluate continually, adjust short term and long term if needed and keep pushing.

 

[oketex]

What's wrong with her statement, it's honest and straight forward. She has a team that want or can't play together. Maybe it's time to send some of them packing and start from square 1. I'm sure every coach who has been around for any time has had this problem but removing Sherri is not the answer.

 

[sybarite]

If you haven't noticed, the "pumpers" have been questioning the team aspect for at least a few games. Usually, at some point in the season, the leadership on the team emerges. This year, it just hasn't.

Is it really a matter of Sherri not being able to do her job? Sometimes, you just can't make it happen. You teach it. You drill it. But, it still doesn't come together. If someone has seventeen years of making it come together, is that the person you generally look at first? Don't you look at a change when something changes? What has changed?

 

[j2d2]

I dont expect Sherri to change a situation that refuses to change. Sometimes there's just nothing a coach can do. Here I think the responsibility lies with the players because I'm confident that Sherri has told them what to do and how to do it. I get the same feeling I had before Stoops made the necessary coaching changes. I'm beginning to think the same is needed here.

 

[atlantasooner]

I think Sherri will look back and regret not making bigger personnel changes early.
Giving Carter and or Smith the PG job. Deal with the turnovers but take the increased
pace and athleticism.
playing Hook at 2 guard behind Vegas.
playing Kornet at the 3 full time.
using Campbell as your super sub.

And playing a lot more of Kellogg and Gibbs behind Williams and Griffin.

The 4 guard rotation thing has been a disaster. No one knows their roles.

 

[sybarite]

Is Smith, Wyatt?

Here is an interesting fact. In conference play, Kay Kay has more fouls than rebounds.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I think Sherri will look back and regret not making bigger personnel changes early.
Giving Carter and or Smith the PG job. Deal with the turnovers but take the increased
pace and athleticism.
playing Hook at 2 guard behind Vegas.
playing Kornet at the 3 full time.
using Campbell as your super sub.

And playing a lot more of Kellogg and Gibbs behind Williams and Griffin.

The 4 guard rotation thing has been a disaster. No one knows their roles.

At the end of last year, it appeared (note the italics and underline )that we just need to replace Jo in the starting line up. But somehow, we lost more than just a 4 when we lost Jo.

Who knows? If Sherri had known that Seniors weren't going to play like Seniors, she might have tried something like you suggest.

 

[rocjunkie]

I think Sherri will look back and regret not making bigger personnel changes early.
Giving Carter and or Smith the PG job. Deal with the turnovers but take the increased
pace and athleticism.
playing Hook at 2 guard behind Vegas.
playing Kornet at the 3 full time.
using Campbell as your super sub.

And playing a lot more of Kellogg and Gibbs behind Williams and Griffin.

The 4 guard rotation thing has been a disaster. No one knows their roles.

Good post. It's hard after a relatively successful season to bail out on your seniors, but I do like your logic. If kids are not fully invested, then play the kids that want to wear the jersey and give 100 per cent.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

Is Smith, Wyatt?

Here is an interesting fact. In conference play, Kay Kay has more fouls than rebounds.

It seems as if she starts the game with 2 fouls.

 

[Sooner Cal]

Problem 1 - no leadership on this team. The seniors just didn't lead.
Problem 2 - no consequences for making the same error over and over again.
Problem 3 - too many players in the rotation. No more tha 8 should see meaningful minutes.
Problem 4 - the game is changing. There are more good teams.
Problem 5 - this team's psyche is fragile (IMHO). The tough OOC schedule hurt their confidence against good teams. Our teams will have to get used to playing tough teams, hopefully this ws just a transition year.
Problem 6 - careless fouls, bad judgment and reckless play cost this tem wins. I think they press to make plays. Poise just isn't an attribute of this team.

 

[Stringmusic]

Something - big - has changed and I hope Sherri can identify it. Contrast this Bedlam game with the one in Norman when OU scored 81, Nicole had a double double and Sharane had a field day.