Closing Up the Duke Season

I've been so absent from this blog and so much has happened in Duke Women's Basketball.

First, Coach G left Duke and went to the Longhorns. It feels weird typing this out because it happened ages ago. Stupid schoolwork. Needless to say, I was pretty upset about it for a while. Okay, very down about it actually. I actually cried, which is really all dumb and all. I was mad for some time as well, both at her and at that stupid school down in Austin. You'll be happy to know that I'm totally over it now and am even ashamed at my initial anger. Still, how sweet would it be for the Devils to beat Texas next year? Both coaches (more about our new coach later) seem to not want to play that game. The players want to though and hell so do I. I'd love to watch that game.

Okay, so Coach G left and is now a Longhorn. What about the Devils?

For the next few weeks, there was a lot of chaos surrounding the program, with people calling for heads to roll (particularly that idiot AD). Joanne Boyle, a Duke alum, an assistant coach at Duke for a long time in the 1990s, who is now the head coach at California, turned down the position in a shocking move that I totally did not expect. I was already reading up on Coach Boyle when she turned it down.

Through this all, the Duke players hung tough and took leadership of their program that had suddenly been left in the dust. Immediately after Coach G spoke to them, they had a team meeting by themselves and reaffirmed their commitment to their team. They contacted recruits for both 2007 and 2008 and assured them that the world at Duke was not going to fall apart. Finally, they made it clear to the Athletic Department that they were going to be involved in the process of finding a coach. All of these helped to ease the fears of Duke fans and alums and, more importantly, recruits. As of this time, all three of our recruits for next year are still coming and Shay Selby, the next great Duke point guard is still intent on going to Duke. What they did also sent a clear message across the women's basketball world. This team was not going to flame out. This program was not going to flame out. This program is strong and, gosh darn it, full of talented players. Watch out. Very impressive job by the players and I'm truly proud to be a Duke fan.

Our new coach was finally hired. Joanne P. McCallie, formerly of Michigan State, has an impressive resume filled with a national championshoip game and numerous NCAA tournament appearances. From what I've read and watched of her, she's passionate, energetic and intelligent. She obviously knows basketball well enough to coach at a top school in a good conference. She also seemed excited to be at Duke, calling it her dream job. Okay, OT but what is it with all these coaches saying their new jobs are their dream jobs? Coach G did it when she went to Texas, Coach P did it and the MSU replacement did it. It upset me when Coach G did it and while i felt better when it was said about the school I'm rooting for, it still didn't seem right. Sure, before you took that new job, your old job was the best in the world. Why don't you just say that it's a great opportunity and a great job for you at that time? Anyway, rant over.

Coach P, in my opinion, is a great choice. I've heard initial negative reactions but I think she's done enough to soothe Duke fans' fears a bit. I mean, she's one of the most well known coaches, which is great for Duke. We deserve a well known and reputable coach. Also, it's not like we can get anyone so obviously better than what we had. I think we actually have had the highest winning percentage in the last few years.

After that helluva month of Duke women's basketball, I'm ready for next season to start. I'm looking forward to Abby Waner showing another huge jump in her game (she improved dramatically from her freshman year to her sophomore year), Joy Cheek becoming an even more consistent bruiser down low, Carrem Gay continue to put up all around good numbers, the freshman Thomases coming in and living up to their billing, Wanisha Smith emerging as a tried and true leader, Chante coming back strong from her injury, Brittany and KJ coming back for their second year of actual playing more experienced and more productive and Bridgette becoming an even bigger offensive and defensive threat in the paint. I'm looking forward to Coach P's first year on the bench wearing Duke blue, along with her assistant coaches, Al Brown, one of the most well respected assistant coaches in the world, Samantha Williams and Shannon Perry, who decided to stay at Duke and show her loyalty to the program and provide some familiarity for the team.

All in all, it was a huge Duke season. Undefeated regular season. We may not have gotten a national championship but I can guarantee you that I could not be more thrilled that I'm a Duke fan. National Championship? We'll get that next year, trust me.

GO DUKE GO!