Lee Fowler’s Second Search For A Head Basketball Coach: How Will It Go?

yow-glanceNC State has recently opened a “nationwide search” for the coach to replace the late Kay Yow.   Apparently, this runs contrary to the final wishes of Coach Yow: she wanted assistant and interim head coach Stephanie Glance named as her successor and she made that clear to Lee Fowler long before her passing from cancer.

Fowler told the Raleigh Sports Club  Wednesday that when Yow was diagnosed with breast cancer again in 2007, she had requested the school name associate head coach Stephanie Glance as her successor.  That request was denied.

WRAL.com: Yow Wanted Glance Named As Successor

“At that time, I went to the chancellor. I talked to the [board of] trustees. We felt like that’s not something we really do at N.C. State, where we name the successor for somebody—not in the dean’s office, not in the head of departments, not any of those things,” Fowler said. “We always do a search.”

Interesting, in that apparently a highly visible head coaching position, especially one where the incumbent coach is in her last days, is treated like any other job in the university.  Apparently thoughts towards continuity, acceptance of the wisdom of the person who’s held the job done more than two decades was overruled.  Procedure must be followed, it’s the NC State way.  Take from that what you will, and I have some mixed feelings about it, but I will say that I think that Kay Yow probably knew what was best for her players, for her recruits and ultimately for NC State’s women’s basketball program.

The job was recently posted on the NC State HR website, which you can read here.  Per state law, the job must be posted for 30 days.  The job duties specifically are

Implement, manage, and direct a highly competitive NCAA Division I-A Women’s Basketball program. Will report directly to the Director of Athletics.Responsible for management and administration of all phases of the NCSU Women’s Basketball program including recruiting and selection, team training, game and event management, marketing and promotions. Supervises assistant coaches, volunteer coaches, director of operations, graduate assistants and other support staff. Provides orientation, training and guidance to staff as needed. Adheres to and enforces all policies and procedures of the Athletics Dept. & University, as well as the rules and regulations of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the NCAA and other authorities. Insures that the recruitment and selection of student athletes meet NCAA guidelines. Oversees the conditioning and training of team members, in conjunction with the designated Strength Coach, Athletics Trainer and Team Physician, to insure that student-athletes are physically prepared for competition. Implement and achieve academic standards for student athletes, maintaining a multi-year APR above 950. Demonstrates consistent commitment to the academic performance, retention and graduation of student athletes.

Yow’s wishes are now water under the bridge, and the search is underway.  It will be led by, you guessed it, Coach Fowler.  In fairness, Fowler did well with the search for Chuck Amato’s replacement, in that instead of trying to lead a search himself, he stepped aside and let a professional job recruiter (Chuck Neinas) do most of the work.  That led Tom O’Brien to NC State, and the football program is probably in the best hands it has been since Dick Sheridan resigned.

On the other hand, the search for a new men’s basketball coach was led by Fowler personally and probably could not have gone any worse from a public relations standpoint.  You can argue that Sidney Lowe is or isn’t the right man for the Wolfpack men’s hoops job, but what is not really debatable was the fact that the search that ultimately led to him had become something resembling a farce: need I mention Calipari, Lavin and the Beilein disaster where Fowler didn’t seem to be fully aware of the then WVU head coach’s contract buyout terms?

For Glance’s part, Coach Fowler has not ruled out her ultimately getting the job. “I think it’s very important to make sure we get the best person,” Fowler told WRAL. “If [Stephanie Glance] is the best person, it will give her credibility in the end that she went through the process and was still the best person picked.”

True enough.

Now Fowler will lead a search for another program that’s regularly in the news and followed widely amongst the Wolfpack community.  How well he does, and the decision he ultimately makes will be very interesting, to say the least.

AD & Department Kay Yow NCS Basketball

50 Responses to Lee Fowler’s Second Search For A Head Basketball Coach: How Will It Go?

  1. packpowerfan 02/25/2009 at 8:47 PM #

    Here’s two probably outcomes: One…it WILL end badly because Fowler is involved. Two…it WILL end badly because Fowler is involved…and someone notices how much of a clusterfuck of an AD he is, which results in his immediate sacking.

    I can only wish for the second half of the second possibility.

  2. old13 02/25/2009 at 8:53 PM #

    Foulup should just crawl back under his rock and stay there. I look forward to this episode as I would having a root canal.

  3. wufpup76 02/25/2009 at 8:59 PM #

    “Apparently, this runs contrary to the final wishes of Coach Yow: she wanted assistant and interim head coach Stephanie Glance named as her successor and she made that clear to Lee Fowler long before her passing from cancer.”

    ^I think the case should have been closed with this. NC State: Where common sense makes no sense.

  4. Dr. BadgerPack 02/25/2009 at 9:23 PM #

    Well… I know two pretty good mid-major coaches who won’t touch the job. I think I’ve mentioned several in the coaching ranks were pretty ticked that Glance wouldn’t be named successor.

    Slightly related question: did Fowler hire Navas as I suspect, or was that “pawned” off as well?

  5. RegularExpression 02/25/2009 at 9:39 PM #

    I’m a little surprised by this because I think naming Glance as the successor would be the easy thing to do, and let’s face it, Fowler’s reputation is such that most think he would do the easy thing.

    While it is important to consider Kay Yow’s wishes for the basketball program I think it is fair to say that she didn’t perform an unnbiased coaching search before stating her wishes. And while Glance would certainly offer continuity, is that what is best for the long term future of the program? Let’s face it, we are a mid tier ACC women’s basketball program at the moment.

    All that being said, I still expect Fowler to push the easy button and name Glance as the successor.

  6. wufpup76 02/25/2009 at 9:43 PM #

    ^All good points, RegularExpression.

    For me though, I would’ve conceded to Coach Yow’s wishes.

  7. thekind 02/25/2009 at 9:44 PM #

    IF Fowl-up settles for Glance then it would be a bad mistake in my opinion. Hire the best person for the job Fowler, and bring in a winner.

    Glance is settling for mediocrity, and will put us further behind the Dukes and Tar Babies of the world.

  8. buttPACKer 02/25/2009 at 9:45 PM #

    we’re NC State. . . Where common sense and decorum never stand in the way of major program decisions!

  9. blpack 02/25/2009 at 9:46 PM #

    Is this just a ‘search’ in name only?

  10. Six Pack 02/25/2009 at 9:56 PM #

    I think its good that they are going out and looking at others to hire. The Women’s job is a good job with good tradition that could attract top talent. One coach that I would look at would be Baylor’s head coach. Another is Kenny Brooks at James Madison.
    I’m sure Jed will Foul-up and we’ll end up going through the same nightmare as we did with the Men’s search. At least if it happens again, maybe then Jed will be shown the door by the Board.
    I do hope he out-sources the hiring process.

  11. howlie 02/25/2009 at 10:03 PM #

    Alpha worked hard to write a ‘neutral’ article, but your cannot discount the reality of an Athletic Director who is KNOWN for embarrassing the university by the unprofessional manner in which a previous “search” was previously done–and NATIONALLY mocked.

    His proven history can be likened to the head of a bank which has failed and had to ask for bailout money; or, the administrator of a trust fund which has betrayed other’s trust. An article about those types of people in current times would address–in this case–‘earned’ skepticism of an ‘Athletic Director’ to actually ‘direct’ something well, as opposed to botching it–whereafter you blame the fanbase for your malaise, malicious malfescence, and mediocrity.

  12. CStanley 02/25/2009 at 10:31 PM #

    Fowler screws this up, and he’s done. Not that I think a ton of people really care about women’s basketball, because it’s certainly not a money making sport at State. But I think more people are interested in seeing how Fowler handles another high profile coaching search, which this will ultimately be. You are replacing a legend, a Hall of Famer. And let’s face it, NC State’s women’s program is one of the pioneers in women’s college basketball. If Duke & Carolina weren’t what they are in the girls game, it probably woulnd’t be as big of a deal. But the undeniable fact is, we’ve fallen way behind both of those schools, and unlike the men, we were way ahead of both of those schools not too terribly long ago.

    As much as I’d like the happy ending, I don’t think Glance is the answer. I think Lee did the right thing on this one. I don’t know that I would have gone blabbing about it though…but that’s what Fowler’s best at.

    We’ll see how it ends. For his own sake, Lee needs it to end well.

  13. Sweet jumper 02/25/2009 at 10:37 PM #

    Everett Case was allowed to pick Press Maravich as his successor, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Remember, the only way Dean Smith could assure that long-time assistant Bill Guthridge would take over for him as head coach at UNX was to resign several days before October 15. This was too late for a coaching search and too late to bring in an outsider. Coach Yow did not have the luxury of time to play out such a maneuver. I think that we have to search for a coach and include Glance as a candidate with a recommendation from Coach Yow. I am saddened that “Coach” Foulup is in charge of this situation.

  14. turfpack 02/25/2009 at 10:48 PM #

    Cluster-9yrs of this bummling goofball leading our athletic programs into less than mediocity-YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME-COACHING SEARCH BY FOULUP-THAT WOULD BE LIKE ME RIPPING MY EYES OUT AND DRIVING 200 MPH ON I 40 IN A GAS TRUCK!!!!!!
    I’m sure LEEGOOF knows basketball remember.
    I am phiscally sick knowing this will take place- HERE COMES ANOTHER EMBARRASSMENT TO SAVE THE DAY!!!!!!!
    Lets not do what a HALL OF FAME COACH ask-LET’S PUT FOULUP ON THE JOB SEARCH-UNFRICKING BELIEVIBLE!!
    Nothing surprises me anymore at NCSU.

  15. LKNpackfan 02/25/2009 at 11:32 PM #

    Let the man fulfill his obligation to state law – 30 days – then let’s see where we’re at.

  16. Greywolf 02/25/2009 at 11:54 PM #

    Coach Case picked his successor just like Coach Yow. The AD hired Maravich who only lasted a couple of years if I recall.

    Yes, she requested Glance be appointed to succeed her, but Kay Yow knew the drill. I think that was a request made out of loyalty and one that she knew would be denied. Even if Yow knew Glance was not the one, she would not publicly say it.

    BTW Is anybody thrilled with Glance’s coaching since she took over?

  17. Cosmo96 02/26/2009 at 4:53 AM #

    RegularExpression:
    “I’m a little surprised by this because I think naming Glance as the successor would be the easy thing to do, and let’s face it, Fowler’s reputation is such that most think he would do the easy thing.
    While it is important to consider Kay Yow’s wishes for the basketball program I think it is fair to say that she didn’t perform an unnbiased coaching search before stating her wishes. And while Glance would certainly offer continuity, is that what is best for the long term future of the program? Let’s face it, we are a mid tier ACC women’s basketball program at the moment.
    All that being said, I still expect Fowler to push the easy button and name Glance as the successor.”

    These are my sentiments, exactly. Since Fowler is heading up the search, and Glance is his path of least resistance, I expect that hiring her will be the outcome. While that may not be a bad thing, I’m not convinced that it is exactly a good thing, either. I mean, despite her enduring presence on the staff, I think there are coaches out there who we could hire that would have a higher probability of raising the success level of the program, based on track record. I think Glance, at this point in time, is more hit or miss.

  18. Cosmo96 02/26/2009 at 5:08 AM #

    Greywolf:
    “BTW Is anybody thrilled with Glance’s coaching since she took over?”

    This relates to my point. You never know how she might do in the future, but so far…..meh. I think there are other better-known entities out there that would give us a higher probability for success. Again, you never know, but I’d rather play the averages than roll the dice with the easy pick. However, if Glance ends up getting the job, I certainly think she will deserve adequate time, under the new circumstances, to prove herself worthy of it.

  19. Gene 02/26/2009 at 5:08 AM #

    Given the way Coach Yow left, I think continuing with Glance would be the prudent thing to do, with some options, in her contract, to seek a replacement with a minimum buy out if we really start to suck.

    PR wise this is a nightmare, since you’re basically spitting at a very popular, and well respected, coach’s dying wish.

  20. 66pack 02/26/2009 at 7:29 AM #

    Foulup is at it again.check out n&0 regarding Sid seeking help from other coaches.this must embarrass Sid.

  21. Rochester 02/26/2009 at 7:52 AM #

    I actually think this one might turn out okay. We’ve got a reasonable candidate in hand, so this shouldn’t drag out into the embarrassment that the men’s search was three years ago. Basically Lee needs to find someone better than Glance. If he can’t do that he’s got a solid, if unspectacular, fallback.

    For the immediate future, Glance is the least turbulent answer. If we bring someone outside in there’s always the possibility some players will consider transferring, etc. That’s unlikely if we hire Coach Glance. But that doesn’t make this the best long-term solution.

  22. Rochester 02/26/2009 at 7:56 AM #

    Foulup is at it again.check out n&0 regarding Sid seeking help from other coaches.this must embarrass Sid.

    I think Sid should be more embarrassed if he didn’t seek advice from some experienced coaches. He needed to pick someone’s brain outside his staff, because it was obvious what went on last year wasn’t the proper way to run a college team. Knowing that Sid was humble and wise enough to seek this kind of input actually makes me respect him more. If he had stubbornly tried to just figure it all out himself we might be back where we were last year.

  23. wufpup76 02/26/2009 at 8:15 AM #

    ^I am extremely thankful that Sidney took it upon himself to seek counsel from those who have been through it at his position and have been sucessful.

    From the start of the season, it’s been obvious that a different type of ship is being run over there as compared to last season.

    I am aware that there are other issues to be worked out, but this is a good start.

  24. Dogbreath 02/26/2009 at 8:17 AM #

    Here is the key question: if Glance doesn’t get the NC State job, would another major conference school seek to hire her? The answerto that rhetorical question would seem to answer our question as to whether she is worthy of a serious consideration.

  25. Noah 02/26/2009 at 8:30 AM #

    Seems to me that you’d encourage Glance to submit her name and then lead a nationwide search. If Glance’s credentials are the best, you’ve got an easy pick.

    But it does a disservice to NCSU and to the women on that team to simply pick Glance out of convenience. If there’s a better name that emerges, why WOULDN’T you pick someone else?

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