First let me preface by saying once had the opportunity to speak with Coach C. at one of the late Pac-12 media days on the rooftop of Larry’s “Starbucks Xanadu“ headquarters. Found her to be a delightful person, cheery, ebullient, engaging, infectious enthusiasm about everything Bruin. We talked some fun stuff on how to properly pronounce Michaela Onyenwere’s name (the tendency had been to call her Onion-wear) and the prospects of having the women’s 1978 AIWA National Championship being recognized and converted to an NCAA banner. Jolly Good.
That being said, there was the lingering feeling that a “converted banner” may. be the only hope, as her coaching proficiency seemingly had this built in glass ceiling. Throughout her career, she has lacked that “It” intangible which can elevate a team’s game to championship caliber beyond its talent level. When confronted by superior personnel, , she had no counter strategy, no clever counter-punch to tilt the playing field in her favor.
Now her recruiting has upticked …she has the talent...
And yet….lower seeded LSU knocked out substantially this same team plus Charisma Osbourne (and Londynn Jones)in the ‘24 Sweet Sixteen. And then there was last year’s non-compete v UConn.
Now she is commendably back for a third swing. Amidst dropping some rather cranky hints she may “not be able to sustain” this job much longer.
She faces a near gutted roster if she does stay.
So this is THE moment. Will she have a plan? An inspiration beyond some waxen bromides?
Or will history wind her up on the same second shelf with Terry Donahue, the guy with all that talent, Troy Aikman and 11 future NFL who still couldn’t push through for the Natty. Cori has Lauren Betts and reported six WNBA draft picks. Can she push through? The time is now …for a real Natty, no need to “convert” the 1978 banner.
-Cori o Graphic