Ruffing's Record at UE

I hate seeing people lose their jobs as it affects individuals, families and others. However, we are long past a needed change in the UE women’s basketball program.

The record shows that Ruffing was not getting the job done and that was not fair to the athletes, the fans and most of all UE. Hopefully the next hire will right the sinking ship. While I have only started following the program this year, I have been critical of the coaching and the quality of athletes. I expect that over the next couple of years we will see if one or both is the reason for the poor showing.

I am anxiously awaiting the announcement of the new HC and what staff and personnel changes may occur. Recruiting will be a keynote as to what to expect over the next couple of years.

Changes, they are acoming and I hope for the better.

I just doubled down on Tyra Buss as the new women’s Head Basketball Coach.

I don’t mean to throw water on anyone’s hopes and expectations but Carson Harris was retained on the website until Walter was on board then he was let go. I’m not saying this will happen now. I’d like to see her elevated with some strong assistants.

On a side note, my daughter and I were talking about women’s coaches getting the axe. She was saying that Versip at Purdue is skating on thin ice. She’s had success at both high and mid majors.

I suspect the removal of some coaches relates to the amount of time they've been on staff and how much it will cost to keep them, as opposed to just "we want to change the culture with a fresh face" who will cost half as much and demand even less, since the new hires are "thankful to have this amazing opportunity."

It is easy for administrations to point to a lack of success when they they never truly have defined the requirement for meeting it. In WBB, about 10 programs will compete past the 2nd round and that is the same 10 as every other year. If you are not in that 10, you get to coach until your contract renewal is on the table.

Then they bag you and start all over. In Ruffing's case, the failure was obvious but even if he'd won 70 percent of his games, they would still be looking at "moving in a new direction."

I agree with you - I think they are saying "National Search" just for optics. Remember the "national search" for the McCarty hire gave us three candidates from Evansville Harrison High School.   

National search may mean that Tyra Buss is traveling on vacation and they are searching the nation for her. 

As far as I know, in my limited interactions/observations of Ruffing, he seemed to be a good guy. Good attitude. But in the end, the W's didn't come. I think a lot of people wish him well. I do.