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ORIGINAL: twinsfan

JimPete has been named Assistant Coach.

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens

LINDSAY WHALEN TAKES OVER WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MINNEAPOLIS -- Mark Coyle announced Thursday that Lindsay Whalen, one of the most decorated players in women's basketball history, will return to the University of Minnesota as the new head women's basketball coach at her alma mater.

"People talk about the `it' factor, and that is always difficult to define, but everyone who has ever spent time around Lindsay Whalen knows she has it," said Coyle. "She has excelled at everything she has ever done in her life because she's unflappable, determined and has a legendary work ethic. She's played for some of the top coaches in the world, she's competed at the highest levels the sport has to offer, and I know she will be a great head coach for our women's basketball program."

"I have so many special memories at the University of Minnesota. I can't tell you how excited I am to have the opportunity to make more," said Whalen. "Becoming the head coach here at the U and being a Gopher again is a dream come true. At every level, basketball has given me so much. I've learned from so many great players, coaches and mentors, and now I have a chance to share that knowledge and help shape the new generation of Gopher stars. I'm ready to get started."

As part of Whalen's agreement to become head coach, which is pending approval from the University's Board of Regents, she will play continue to play for the Minnesota Lynx. Previously, Whalen announced in February that she was retiring from international competition. She had played for the U.S. National team since 2002, joining Team USA following her sophomore season with the Gophers.

Whalen returns to those same Gophers after destroying the program's record book in the early 2000s, finishing her career as Minnesota's all-time points leader, along with being second all-time in assists and third all-time in steals. A four-time all-state selection at Hutchinson High School, about an hour west of Minneapolis, Whalen went on to become the catalyst for the most successful seasons in the history of Gopher women's basketball.

She was the first three-time All-American in program history, a three-time All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. After a Sweet Sixteen appearance her junior season (2002-03), Whalen led the Gophers to their only Final Four in program history in 2004. Her jersey, No. 13, hangs in the rafters of Williams Arena.

Whalen went on to collect numerous honors and championships in the WNBA and with the U.S. National team. After playing five seasons with the Connecticut Sun, Whalen returned to her home state with the Minnesota Lynx and has since won four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017). Whalen has been named All-WNBA five times and is currently third in WNBA history in assists, to go along with being in the top-20 in career points and steals. Last year, she became the winningest player in WNBA history, having now been a part of more than 300 wins in the league. She also played professionally in Turkey, Russia and the Czech Republic.

In international competition, Whalen was a key piece to dominant performances by Team USA in world championship and Olympic competition. Whalen played for two gold medal teams at the World Championships (2010, 2014) and has also won two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016).

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ORIGINAL: Pete M.

Let me put my flag in the ground and say, "A+ hire." Yeah, she might flame out. But this will dramatically change the way Minn WBB is viewed locally and nationally. And if Lindsay can reel in Paige Bueckers...

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ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens
She hasn't said anything about wanting to a broadcaster. She was invited to sit in on a few Wolves games and that's about the extent of it.
The real question is if she would be willing to walk away from her playing career. I wouldn't be surprised if the Gophers accommodated her playing one last season this summer and taking over after the Lynx are done. Much like they did with Hugh McCutchen.

I would be really worried if I was the Lynx....she makes about 80-100k to play and could make 5-10x that coaching at the university she starred at.....not many get to do that.

Pretty sure if she has the chops to do it in Coyle's eyes, the job is hers. Just imagine the marketing having her as coach would do....

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ORIGINAL: David Levine
It was the best PR move they could make.
It remains to be seen if its even a good basketball move...
She better have a very experienced staff. She has no coaching experience, no recruiting experience, and her focus is going to be split for at least her first season.

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ORIGINAL: Pete M.

How awesome is this:

https://twitter.com/chipscoggins/status/984538602053959681

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens

This is from Chip Scoggins"

Hopkins sophomore guard Paige Bueckers is one of the top players in the country. She is being recruited by every major program, including UConn. Bueckers has a signed Whalen jersey hanging in her room and a pair of Whalen’s game-used shoes that Whalen gave her a few years ago.

The Gophers had zero chance of signing Bueckers before Whalen’s announcement. Bueckers’ father, Bob, was asked if his daughter will look at the Gophers differently now.

“Absolutely,” he said.

This is why I see this as way more than a savvy PR move. A PR move makes a fan base happy and sells tickets for a short term. This move sent a shock wave through the pool of potential recruits. One key will be for Whalen to add an assistant with recruiting ties outside of Minnesota. Lindsay doesn't need much help with players in the state. I think she has had an eye to ultimately coaching and especially the Gophers job for a while now. She has learned from some of the best coaches in the women's game. Mark Coyle supposedly consulted Geno Auriemma before making the decision and got an enthusiastic recommendation. She's green as hell, but I think she knows what she is getting into and what she has to do. And if history has shown one thing to absolutely about Whalen ... she wins.

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ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

Pretty much agree with what many others have already said.

On one hand, we really have zero clue about how good of a coach she'll be. It always bugs me a little when a position at such a high level is given to a person with no experience. It's a hire purely on hopes and dreams and guesses.

Having said that... It's a good hire anyway. Just from the standpoint of PR and recruiting. It has dramatically raised awareness of the program.

At least she's had the the tutelage of one the best coaches anywhere, Cheryl Reeve. Just follow her template.

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ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

It's a hire purely on hopes and dreams and guesses.

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens

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ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

It's a hire purely on hopes and dreams and guesses.

I don't agree with that at all. Coyle consulted both Reeve and Geno Auriemma before hiring Whalen. They both endorsed the idea, with both pointing to Whalen being a coach on the floor. Her star power gets her access to the living room of virtually any recruit. There are certainly questions due to her inexperience, but there questions about a variety coaching possibilities. This hire has quite a bit more behind it than a wing and a prayer.

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ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens

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ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

It's a hire purely on hopes and dreams and guesses.

I don't agree with that at all. Coyle consulted both Reeve and Geno Auriemma before hiring Whalen. They both endorsed the idea, with both pointing to Whalen being a coach on the floor. Her star power gets her access to the living room of virtually any recruit. There are certainly questions due to her inexperience, but there questions about a variety coaching possibilities. This hire has quite a bit more behind it than a wing and a prayer.

You may be right. I'm not predicting she'll be a bad coach. I'm just saying we don't know. Being sort of a 'coach on the floor' is one thing. Doing the hundreds of things required to be a successful Big 10 coach is another.

I do agree she certainly seems to have the right temperament and aptitude for it.