With the stunning and unexpected move of Kim Barnes Arico filling the head coaching vacancy at the University of Michigan, St. John’s finds itself in the midst of looking for a new women’s basketball coach.
Here is a list of potential Candidates for the St. John’s coaching position.
- Joe Tartamella, Interim Head Coach at St. John’s: Tartamella would bring stability to St. John’s as he’s been with the program for nine years and was named Associate Head Coach in 2009. In his first year as Associate Head Coach, Tartamella was instrumental in bringing St. John’s its highest ranked recruiting class in program’s history at number 10. And former Kim Barnes Arico speaks very highly of Tartamella, “His [Tartamella] commitment, what’s he’s done has been incredible. The kids really want him to stay. I hope they keep Joe.”
- Jim Crowley, St. Bonaventure: Crowley was named ESPN.com’s National Coach of the Year and Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2012. What Crowley accomplished this year was nothing short of remarkable: A 31-4 record, an undefeated season in conference play (14-0), an Atlantic 10 regular season title and a Sweet Sixteen berth in the NCAA Tournament. What’s so unique about Crowley leading them to the Sweet Sixteen is the fact that with a student enrollment of just 2000, St. Bonaventure is the second-smallest school to ever reach the Sweet Sixteen (Cheyney State). Crowley has led St. Bonaventure to a 98-37 (73%) record over the past four years with four postseason berths. He has strong ties to the New York area as he’s spent his whole coaching career in the state of New York. Dayton Head coach Jim Jabir had this to say about Crowley, “[the] best coach in the Atlantic 10.”
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Brian Giorgis, Marist: Giorgis has done exceptional things at Marist since being named its head coach in 2002. Has an overall record of 251-73; that’s an astounding 77% winning percentage at Marist. Here are some of Giorgis amazing accomplishments: six time MAAC Coach of the Year (2004, ‘05, ‘06, ‘08, ‘11, ‘12), nine straight MAAC regular season titles, seven MAAC tournament titles, two undefeated conference regular seasons and seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Marist has been ranked as high as #17 in the country during Giorgis’ tenure. In 2010, Giorgis was inducted into the New York State Hall of Fame. Giorgis has spent his whole coaching career in New York as he’s moved up the ranks starting from his days at Lourdes High School.
- Patty Coyle, Associate Head Coach at Pittsburgh: Coyle is the former coach of the New York Liberty (2004-2009) in which she led them to the playoffs four out of five seasons. Won a National Championship (1981) during her playing days at Rutgers and was a three-time gold medalist: United States Olympic Festival (1979, ‘80) and the Pan American Games (1980). Coyle has not really looked around into becoming a head coach during her time at Pittsburgh; however, the St. John’s job might pique her interest especially with her familiarity of Tri-State region.
- Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, Albany: Abrahamson-Henderson -- the 2012 America East Coach of Year -- has done a wonderful job in turning Albany around in her two years as Head coach. The Great Danes have amassed a winning percentage of 63% with her at the helm and in only her second season; she was able to guide Albany to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Their 22 wins this past season was the first time Albany has reached the 20-win plateau since the 1992 season. Couple that with her success at Missouri State in which she went 95-61 in five seasons, highlighted by three NCAA tournament appearances and a WNIT championship in 2005: Abarhamson-Henderson could be a premier candidate to replace Barnes Arico.
- Courtney Banghart, Princeton: Banghart has completely turned around the Princeton program as she brought Princeton to national relevance by the 2012 season -- their first ever top 25 ranking at #24 by the AP Poll. Over the past three seasons, Banghart has done a remarkable job: She’s compiled an overall record of 74-13, led Princeton to three straight Ivy League titles (2010, ’11, ’12), three NCAA Tournament appearances and two undefeated conference seasons as well (2010, ‘12). She was also named New Jersey Sports Writers Association Women's College Coach of the Year in 2010 and was inducted into the Dartmouth College Hall of Fame in 2004.
Dark horse Candidates: Jim Jabir (Dayton) and Debbie Ryan (former Head Coach at Virginia)