Unlike their male counterparts, the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team had, what can be considered, a successful 2017-18 season. Last month’s upset victory over Green Bay (Nice), marked the program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2009.

On top of tasting some March Madness success, the Maroon and Gold are set to return three starters for next year’s campaign. When you consider all of the positivity surrounding the women’s hoops squad, Monday’s news seemed to come out of left field:

Marlene Stollings leaving #Gophers basketball for Texas Tech.

STORY: https://t.co/unYDen0QPS
from @Marcus_R_Fuller pic.twitter.com/UfgbMGwEw3

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) April 9, 2018

Okay, okay. Do your thing, Marlene. Or should I say, Tubby?

While Tubby Smith’s departure was to prevent his inevitable shit-canning, that doesn’t seem to match the motivation behind Stollings’ relocation to Texas. Back in August 2015, even before the earlier mentioned success and seemingly bright future, her contract was extended through 2020-21. I know that doesn’t handcuff a University’s from moving in a new direction, but you’d assume the U of M was more than happy to pay her annual $500K salary.

Whatever the reasoning may be, it is what it is. This (despite what the NCAA wants you to think) is business. After four years as the HC of Gophers women’s b-ball, Marlene Stollings is onto the next one.

Speaking of onto the next one, we are probably going to want to hire a replacement. That makes sense, right?

In regards to women’s basketball in the State of Minnesota, Lindsay Whalen is the Queen (Beyoncé who?). While that’s the first name that jumped into my head to replace Stollings, the logical part of my brain got pissed. That’s a pipe dream, right? Surprisingly enough, maybe not:

Note: Whalen “has given no public indication that she won’t play in the upcoming WNBA season.“

Along with her Gopher and Lynx legend, Marcus Fuller’s StarTribune article mentions Aaron Johnston (South Dakota State HC), Niele Ivey (Notre Dame Asst.), and Nikki Lowry-Dawkins (Gophers Asst.) as other names to watch. With all due respect to those individuals, if I’m Mark Coyle, this shit is simple.

As long as there is a possibility that Lindsay Marie Whalen may become Minnesota’s next women’s basketball coach, this job stays open. The position is available at her convenience. What the Hutchinson native lacks in coaching experience, she more than makes up for with her basketball experience. Even if she can’t coach a lick (I’m sure she can), the recruiting implications alone would be positive.

I know my advocating for Whalen to call the playing part of her career quits may sting some Lynx fans. However, the 4x champs will be just fine. Cheryl Reeve is rock-solid. You’d also assume that Reeve would be a rock-solid mentor:

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

Earlier this week, the echoes of longtime NCAA basketball coach, Tubby Smith, was making the internet rounds. The circulation was a direct result of the Memphis’ basketball coach’s rant regarding college players transferring programs:

Despite sounding like the get off my lawn guy, I feel like the former Gopher’s head coach had good fine intentions when he made those comments. However, with the current FBI probe into college basketball, right now might not be the most appropriate time to be attacking players for these type of off-the-court decisions.

In regards to MANY others’ opinions, his statements didn’t sit too well with their meter readers. No, no, no. I’m not referring to the individual who checks your utility usage. This relates to the hypocrisy meter:

Prior to his tenure with Minnesota, Smith held head coaching jobs at both Georgia and Kentucky. The Maryland natives’ transition from the Bulldogs to the more prestigious Wildcats occurred in 1997. At that time, Tubby still had four years left on his contract with Georgia.

Ten years later, if it weren’t for concerns about his job status with Kentucky, Smith possibly wouldn’t have departed Wildcat country for the Maroon and Gold. Finally, in 2016, to complete his early exit hat-trick, the (now former Georgia, Kentucky and Minnesota) coach bailed on Texas Tech for Memphis.

Is Tubby holding players to different standards than he holds himself? By using the term “quit” to describe the decision of athletes who change programs, hasn’t Tubby been known to “quit,” as well?

Unfortunately for the High Point alum, it appears he may not be able to “quit” on Memphis. CBS Sports has reported that the Tigers are looking at firing their current head coach. If you’re smart Tubby, before they shit-can you, step down and save face like your son just did.

G.G. Smith steps down as #Loyola (Md.) men’s basketball coach after 5 seasons: https://t.co/8iZ6TdD9T9 pic.twitter.com/UfWG7hBjx3

— ABC 7 Sports (@ABC7Sports) March 8, 2018

Despite feeling “comfortable and confident” with what he accomplished, an aggressive amount of transfers and dwindling attendance have Tubby Smith on the chopping block.

To me, when you break down who Memphis may have lined up as his replacement, Tubby Time is pretty much as good as done:

Memphis is considering replacing Tubby Smith with Penny Hardaway at head coach, per @GaryParrishCBS https://t.co/lNq1r5KCd9 pic.twitter.com/5gv6GnMLvg

— College Basketball (@br_CBB) March 7, 2018

That is one nice looking suit.

WTF, though? In honor of baseball’s regular season approaching, that name came out of left field.

The 4x NBA all-star is a Memphis native and Tigers alum. Despite having zero collegiate coaching experience, Penny Hardaway has had great success coaching Memphis located East High School. Additionally, the 46 year-old is in charge of the Nike sponsored “Team Penny” AAU program. Between “Team Penny” and East High, he already has relationships with three top 25 players from the class of 2019.

If having to choose between the two, this is the no-brainer of no-brainers, right? We are two whole decades removed from Smith’s National Championship victory. Rather than keep the guy who loses players and gets portrayed as a hypocrite, give me the former NBA player with ties to that famous swoosh symbol:

Having Penny Hardaway as the Memphis HC will also boost their Nike profile.

Memphis will become a priority for Nike.

Memphis will be the only program in America with a Nike athlete as their head coach.

— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker5) March 7, 2018

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com