IUP Women's Basketball | 2019-20

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Odd situation for one of the PSAC elite WBB programs. Why throw away a season ?? Hopefully, for IUP fans, this doesn't spook whatever recruits showed up at the KCAC. And they're opening at DUKE !!!

FS82 could answer this better but with all that union stuff the hiring process is very slow. Tom's last official day was in the area of mid-August. So, I don't think they could open the position until that point ... and, then it has to stay posted for like 30 days or something before they can start interviews. The privates can hire exponentially faster.

With Tom they were probably looking at a 16-14 type of season. With a new coach (and likely new style) it could be a really long season. They were gutted and their best player plays for Cal now.

All of that said, it's a very attractive job -- pay, history, facilities, support, etc. So, I'd guess some other program will soon be getting screwed with their coach leaving in late September.

[CALUPA69]

Neither of the two assistants are currently on the payroll. Women's basketball is without staff at the moment. Who knows who's leading practice. They may be paying a supplement to one of Joe's assistants to at least construct & supervise practices.

Odd situation for one of the PSAC elite WBB programs. Why throw away a season ?? Hopefully, for IUP fans, this doesn't spook whatever recruits showed up at the KCAC. And they're opening at DUKE !!!

[Fightingscot82]

Not sure. I don't follow the program too closely. Tom had two assistants. Being he didn't leave for another job and take his staff, I assume they are still there.

Neither of the two assistants are currently on the payroll. Women's basketball is without staff at the moment. Who knows who's leading practice. They may be paying a supplement to one of Joe's assistants to at least construct & supervise practices.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Who's running preseason workouts ?? Any chance an interim HC will be in charge while the search goes on for top notch? From what's been said this sounds like a down year talent wise.

Not sure. I don't follow the program too closely. Tom had two assistants. Being he didn't leave for another job and take his staff, I assume they are still there.

[CALUPA69]

Any word on Tom's replacement?

Who's running preseason workouts ?? Any chance an interim HC will be in charge while the search goes on for top notch? From what's been said this sounds like a down year talent wise.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Any word on Tom's replacement?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They should be getting close to naming Tom's replacement.

[Fightingscot82]

Never know. Money talks.

Seton Hill salaries are private but I'd guess IUP could offer a significant raise (and a solid pension, resources, KCAC, etc.).

I like that guy a lot.

I'd also love to chase the Wheeler lady at Edinboro but she's basically royalty there. I doubt she'd leave.

Regarding Seton Hill salaries, the Seton Hill cross country & track head coach just took an assistant job at Slippery Rock. That says something.

[IUPalum]

I think Bruce had too much power and not enough oversight. I wouldn't blame the VB coach because she just exposed the whole situation but I would blame EUP for allowing it to happen.

Whatever your opinions are, now that the Bruce regime is gone the Boro Athletic department is a dumpster fire!

[Fightingscot82]

I think Bruce had too much power and not enough oversight. I wouldn't blame the VB coach because she just exposed the whole situation but I would blame EUP for allowing it to happen.

100%.

[iupgroundhog]

Both sides were in the wrong. The volleyball coach was on a vendetta - but Bruce set himself up for the lawsuit by a) putting a non-revenue sport in "tier 1" status, and b) refusing to award her the pay raise both internal and external mediators believed she was due. Now they have a volleyball coach making as much as the football coach - and that volleyball coach also has a nice savings account from the settlement.

I think Bruce had too much power and not enough oversight. I wouldn't blame the VB coach because she just exposed the whole situation but I would blame EUP for allowing it to happen.

[Fightingscot82]

Both sides were in the wrong. The volleyball coach was on a vendetta - but Bruce set himself up for the lawsuit by a) putting a non-revenue sport in "tier 1" status, and b) refusing to award her the pay raise both internal and external mediators believed she was due. Now they have a volleyball coach making as much as the football coach - and that volleyball coach also has a nice savings account from the settlement.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

She has half the scholarships Swank had. Similar situation for Cleary on the men's side. Both also lost full-time assistants and GA positions. Edinboro's athletic fundraising has been abysmal for years. It used to be you could have a meet & greet with Bruce and Erie rubes would show up in hoards. The admin who ran the sports memorabilia show that would regularly have Steelers signing autographs retired and nobody picked up that event. Bruce also would use his celeb connections to get a Super Bowl package and raffle that off. Plus Edinboro for years payed someone with Director of Athletic Development title who doubtfully raised his salary each year.

That's the item most casual fans don't realize about the PSAC. Things are far from equal. We have the Yankees and the Pirates within the same division.

The PSAC has a lot of really good coaches stuck dealing with poverty levels. Would Joe Lombardi dominate at Clarion the way he has at IUP?

As for the IUP women's situation, well, they were looking at a down year with or without Tom. But, because of the money, the new person will (should) be able to rebuild things pretty quickly.

Their best returning player plays for California now. I know they were lobbying for an extra year for Justina Mascaro, but I haven't heard if she got it or not. Whomever gets this job will have an incredibly young team this year.

[IUPalum]

She has half the scholarships Swank had. Similar situation for Cleary on the men's side. Both also lost full-time assistants and GA positions. Edinboro's athletic fundraising has been abysmal for years. It used to be you could have a meet & greet with Bruce and Erie rubes would show up in hoards. The admin who ran the sports memorabilia show that would regularly have Steelers signing autographs retired and nobody picked up that event. Bruce also would use his celeb connections to get a Super Bowl package and raffle that off. Plus Edinboro for years payed someone with Director of Athletic Development title who doubtfully raised his salary each year.

[Fightingscot82]

Actually, since taking over from Stan Swank, Callie Wheeler's Scots have gradually begun a slow slide in the wrong direction, topped off by a 14-12 record in '21-'22. Don't believe she's the answer but at this late date, the C'HAWKS may need to take what's available.

She has half the scholarships Swank had. Similar situation for Cleary on the men's side. Both also lost full-time assistants and GA positions. Edinboro's athletic fundraising has been abysmal for years. It used to be you could have a meet & greet with Bruce and Erie rubes would show up in hoards. The admin who ran the sports memorabilia show that would regularly have Steelers signing autographs retired and nobody picked up that event. Bruce also would use his celeb connections to get a Super Bowl package and raffle that off. Plus Edinboro for years payed someone with Director of Athletic Development title who doubtfully raised his salary each year.