[jonnyss]

I guess what I find most frustrating about this is the absence of any specifics in terms of what or who the players supposedly have problems with. And I'm not even sure it's the same issues as when we had the rash of transfers with Betts et al leaving. For example, when Lauren Betts transferred out, we had a different assistant coach (Britney Anderson) who I believe was the one who made some negative comments about Betts' size, etc. But she's not around anymore. And we didn't have Tempie, Heather, or Bird (Erica McCall). Are ALL of them problematic? Is the notion the environment is toxic? And if so, it's kind of surprising to me because I felt like Paye was so complimentary of the players in every press conference and interview. That doesn't mean she can't be different behind the scenes, but it is surprising to me because she seems very supportive and affirming.

From the outside, we could all see that we were not a well coached offense, but that seems like a very different basis for a player revolt than what is supposedly being claimed by that one twitter account. And it's not even clear to me what the plan is: sack Paye, the entire assistant coaching staff, and conduct an open search? Is that going to keep our players from transferring? Doesn't seem overly likely to me.

Maybe Tara could just come out of retirement for a season? Is that in the option set? ;)

indeed, we have had troubles for several years, starting after the championship year, when tara was still coaching: betts transferring, iriafen transferring, kiki rice declining our offer, haley jones not attending the banquet. 

one factor in common might be poor handling of nil. there was that sf chronicle article about kate's emphasis on "players come to stanford for the academics." the article quoted several players saying no $ had been distributed, promised, or even discussed this year. bob posted that money had indeed been raised from major donors; but then, if i understand correctly, posted more recently that some of the money raised had not been paid out. to my view haley was demonized for spending time on outside financial pursuits, when stanford should have been celebrating her pioneering example rather than complaining about her.

to my eye, kate seems supportive on the sidelines and in the posted videos (though those are curated), but she certainly mishandled playing time for subs. she has to be smart to have 2 advanced degrees from stanford, but i wonder if a j.d. helps a coach. law school is rather hierarchical and doesn't emphasize innovation and flexibility. attorneys might make better directors and general managers.

to my eye, kate emphasized a structured offense as tara had before her. it was disheartening to see that kate had no answer for a zone defense. and it was interesting to see how well MAS did in the last game when kate gave her the green light - an entirely different player.

interesting idea to have tara come back for a year. i don't think tara has much interest or expertise in working with nil and the portal.

[jonnyss]

I guess what I find most frustrating about this is the absence of any specifics in terms of what or who the players supposedly have problems with. And I'm not even sure it's the same issues as when we had the rash of transfers with Betts et al leaving. For example, when Lauren Betts transferred out, we had a different assistant coach (Britney Anderson) who I believe was the one who made some negative comments about Betts' size, etc. But she's not around anymore. And we didn't have Tempie, Heather, or Bird (Erica McCall). Are ALL of them problematic? Is the notion the environment is toxic? And if so, it's kind of surprising to me because I felt like Paye was so complimentary of the players in every press conference and interview. That doesn't mean she can't be different behind the scenes, but it is surprising to me because she seems very supportive and affirming.

From the outside, we could all see that we were not a well coached offense, but that seems like a very different basis for a player revolt than what is supposedly being claimed by that one twitter account. And it's not even clear to me what the plan is: sack Paye, the entire assistant coaching staff, and conduct an open search? Is that going to keep our players from transferring? Doesn't seem overly likely to me.

Maybe Tara could just come out of retirement for a season? Is that in the option set? ;)

indeed, we have had troubles for several years, starting after the championship year, when tara was still coaching: betts transferring, iriafen transferring, kiki rice declining our offer, haley jones not attending the banquet. 

one factor in common might be poor handling of nil. there was that sf chronicle article about kate's emphasis on "players come to stanford for the academics." the article quoted several players saying no $ had been distributed, promised, or even discussed this year. bob posted that money had indeed been raised from major donors; but then, if i understand correctly, posted more recently that some of the money raised had not been paid out. to my view haley was demonized for spending time on outside financial pursuits, when stanford should have been celebrating her pioneering example rather than complaining about her.

to my eye, kate seems supportive on the sidelines and in the posted videos (though those are curated), but she certainly mishandled playing time for subs. she has to be smart to have 2 advanced degrees from stanford, but i wonder if a j.d. helps a coach. law school is rather hierarchical and doesn't emphasize innovation and flexibility. attorneys might make better directors and general managers.

to my eye, kate emphasized a structured offense as tara had before her. it was disheartening to see that kate had no answer for a zone defense. and it was interesting to see how well MAS did in the last game when kate gave her the green light - an entirely different player.

interesting idea to have tara come back for a year. i don't think tara has much interest or expertise in working with nil and the portal.