Who will State go with after saying 'no' to Glance?

By Brad Simmons
Apr 9, 2009

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Today we reported that Stephanie Glance would not be hired as the full-time head coach of the N.C. State women’s basketball team.

This decision on which direction to take this proud program has been a tough one from every angle.

The legendary Kay Yow, one of the great pioneers in all of basketball, suggested to the athletic administration that her top assistant, coach Glance, be named to take over when Yow was no longer able to coach.

Glance did a fantastic job keeping the Wolfpack women together during what had to be an almost impossible situation to handle. She and her staff should be commended for carrying on through some of the saddest days in the history of the university. Coach Glance was graceful, and the players mirrored that despite their great sadness.

It is apparent now, that the administration has decided to go in a different direction. With the climb to national prominence by Duke and North Carolina, it is imperative that N.C. State get a coach that can put the people in the seats and the players on the court to run with both triangle rivals.

A couple of names have floated around as possible candidates to take over at State:

1.) Kellie Harper - the head coach at Western Carolina and played under the all-time winningest coach in basketball history, Pat Summitt, at Tennessee. She is young and has head coaching experience.

2.) Shea Ralph - A former UConn great currently on Geno Auriemma’s staff that led the Huskies to the 2009 national title, she is a national champion as a player and as an assistant coach, and is from Fayetteville. Ralph knows how proud the State program is.

Regardless of what happens, this is certain: Wherever Stephanie Glance ends up, that program will get a classy person that knows the game of basketball.

As for N.C. State, this is a high profile job with a rich tradition in one of, if not the toughest, conference in the country.

Whomever is lucky enough to be named the new coach, I hope they will put this one-time basketball giant back in the forefront of women’s college basketball.

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RE: Who will State go with after saying 'no' to Glance?

State women's basketball needs a complete overhaul! If the school wants to compete for a national championship than make the unpopular choice and hire a new coaching staff. Coach Glance will be fine and so will the other assistants. State will be extremely fortunate to get Kellie Harper. She's young, experienced and a proven winner and on top of all that...she's a wonderful person.

RE: Who will State go with after saying 'no' to Glance?

The best tribute to Coach Yow is to return the program to a winning tradition. Tudor's article in the N&O hit the nail on the head about this issue, State owes Glance a lot of thanks, praise, etc. but not the job. You hire the best, most qualified person, who can take the program back to the top of the ACC. Hopefully Fowler and the committee has found the right person to do that.

RE: Who will State go with after saying 'no' to Glance?

Yes, it is a sad day for the NCSU community, which is now torn between loyalty for Kay Yow's wishes in hiring Stephanie Glance who would have fulfilled those wishes by being named Head Coach and the desire of the Administration to go in a different direction. It will be difficult for a new coach to be successful in the current environment. I feel badly for the players who are stuck in a very difficult position; they are innocent of all the politics that go on in the hiring of a new Head Coach, yet they are the ones who will have to live with the decision.

RE: Who will State go with after saying 'no' to Glance?

It is a sad day for NCSU Women's Basketball. It also speaks to the fact that no matter how well you perform your job or how loyal you are to NCSU you will not be supported or rewarded.

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Brad Simmons