Fansided

5 potential replacements for Kevin Ollie at UConn

By Brad Berreman

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Kevin Ollie of the Connecticut Huskies is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at BB
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Kevin Ollie of the Connecticut Huskies is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at BB /
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Mandatory Credit: Chris Marion- Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Chris Marion- Getty Images /

4. Geno Auriemma

When Auriemma’s Lady Huskies lose a game, it’s big news. With a 32-0 mark so far this year heading into the NCAA Tournament, the UConn women are 184-2 over the last five seasons. They have won six of last eight national titles, with no less than a run to the Final Four in nine straight seasons.

With 11 national titles, 24 conference titles, more than 1,000 wins (1,023 and counting) and a winning percentage north of 88 percent, there’s not much left for Auriemma to accomplish as a women’s college basketball coach. Piling on more accomplishments is nice, but when will he need a new challenge? And if he did need a new challenge, where would he turn?

Just how Auriemma would take to recruiting and coaching men, and how said players would embrace him, have been ongoing unanswered questions. Having great players for just one year, pending the NBA changing their age rule, is also likely to be a source of frustration for Auriemma if he were to shift to being a men’s college coach.

That said, Auriemma is a known commodity for the brass at UConn. I’d expect at least an initial conversation about stepping over to the men’s program to happen.