Years before Vanderbilt basketball head coach Shea Ralph's generation helped set a standard for women who aspire and act to change the world through sports, her mother, Marsha Lake, traveled to . Cambridge recorded the programs first postseason triple-double during the SEC Tournament, while she and Moore contributed to a program-record 17 3-pointers against Alabama State on Dec. 28, 2021. [43] Ralph spent 13 seasons in Storrs, assisting for 12 conference championship and 6 national championship teams. He was an assistant with the Vanderbilt womens basketball team from 2009-2015. While serving as a coach at her alma mater, Ralph helped guide the Huskies to 12 Final Four appearances and six national championships, including a record four consecutive titles from 2013-16. Garraud was Vanderbilt's top scorer against South Carolina with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. She began her coaching career at Pittsburgh in 2003 before returning to UConn in 2008. Athletic director Candice Lee announced the hiring Tuesday, a week after firing Stephanie White following five seasons. [39], However, Ralph decided to get back into basketball and joined the University of Pittsburgh the following year. Garrick, a former NBA player, will be his. I know everyone here at UConn is incredibly excited for Shea. Garrick's wife and longtime UConn women's basketball assistant coach, Shea. Coach Ralph has earned the opportunity to take the reins of our women's basketball program and transform it into what we all know is possible. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print edition. In her inaugural season, Ralph led Vanderbilt to its first postseason appearance since 2014. [40] Tensions mounted, and after strong words to some of the players, one left, leaving the team short-handed for a scrimmage. [15], Shea's battle with anorexia continued in college. Ralph's mother, Marsha (Mann) Lake, was an All-American basketball player for the University of North Carolina. KNOXVILLE Shea Ralph and Brinae Alexander agreed: Despite the scoreboard in Vanderbilt's 66-52 loss to Tennessee, Sunday was one of the Commodores' best performances in Ralph's first season as coach of the Commodores. He was an assistant with the Vanderbilt womens basketball team from 2009-2015. Athletic director Candice Lee announced the hiring Tuesday, a week after firing Stephanie White following five seasons. Her final game was memorialized in Jeff Goldberg's book Bird at the Buzzer, a game some have termed the "greatest women's basketball game ever played". UConn women's basketball assistant coach Shea Ralph has been named the head coach of the Vanderbilt University women's basketball team. Nevertheless, Ralph's overall tournament production earned her a position on the all-tournament team. Athletic Director Candice Lee confirmed the hire on Twitter Tuesday. She suffered five ACL injuries in her career,[3] two of which led to sitting out the 199798 season. UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, who Ralph played for and coached under, also gave a statement about her hire. Vanderbilt women's basketball coach Shea Ralph announced Sunday that freshman center Amauri Williams had been dismissed from the team. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. It just asked. [7], While in high school, Shea began a multi-year battle with anorexia nervosa. After she earned the USA Player of the Year award, she was interviewed by USA Today, who asked about her recruiting decision. [42] When Tonya Cardoza left UConn to take the head coaching position at Temple University, the school needed a new assistant. He played at the highest level, and hes coached for decades.. Although Ralph was selected by the Utah Starzz in the 2001 WNBA draft, continued knee injuries ended her on-court career. In her inaugural season, Ralph led Vanderbilt to its first postseason appearance since 2014. [31] UConn went on to win the game on a buzzer-beater by Sue Bird, but Ralph's college career was over. Shea Ralph is hired as Vanderbilt head womens basketball coach on April 13, 2021. Shea Ralph was named the sixth head coach in Vanderbilt womens basketball history on April 13, 2021. Men's basketball assistant coach Glen Miller received just over $312,600 in compensation. My husband, if you know him, he doesn't mince words. Where the table does not display a number, it . Vanderbilt has hired Shea Ralph away from UConn to help revive the Commodores' struggling women's basketball program. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Vanderbilt has hired Shea Ralph away from UConn to help revive the Commodores' struggling women's basketball program, which hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament since 2014. COACH SEARCH: How did Vanderbilt get women's basketball coach Shea Ralph to leave UConn? Staley's new deal comes with a $1 million base salary plus $2 million in supplemental pay. Vanderbilt recently announced a $300 million project to improve football and basketball facilities and a new Vandy United Fund to raise money for athletics programs. She was selected at the most valuable player in the 2000 NCAA Womens Final Four. Coach. She shot over 40% from beyond the three-point arc for that season, and 51.7% during the Big East season, setting the all-time Big East record for three-point shooting in a season. Shea Ralph grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she attended Terry Sanford High School. she said, "That's about it."[41]. Ralph said Wednesday during her introductory press conference that she has a shortlist of candidates in mind for her inaugural staff at Vanderbilt. He called her to say, "Geez, Shea. [2] She was previously an assistant coach at UConn from 2008 to 2021. Kelly Schumacher grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to bring the lead back to five points and the team held on for the win. The head coach of Tennessee, Pat Summitt, was good friends with Marsha, so many felt one of those two schools would have the inside track. This content is only available to USA TODAY subscribers. Ralph remained at Pittsburgh for five years, helping to turn a team with a losing record into a nationally ranked team. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of Vanderbilt University and its official representatives. [29] A few minutes later she scored again, pushing her scoring total to eleven points on 44 shooting, along with six assists and three steals with over six minutes remaining in the first half. [ UConn women's basketball assistant, alum Shea Ralph named head coach at Vanderbilt ] The Commodores went 4-4 before canceling their season in January due to COVID-19 and injuries. Although the dismissal left the Commodores with. Shea has had a huge impact on the UConn womens basketball program, as both a player and a coach. She focused on coaching guards as well as player development and recruitment according to her UConn biography. After three seasons as the head coach of the UMass Lowell women's basketball team, Tom Garrick is leaving the program. Hes one of the brightest minds in the game, and hes passionate about it. AP Sports Writer Pat Eaton-Robb in Connecticut contributed to this report. I have always been motivated and inspired by people who have a passionate pursuit of excellence. Auriemma said it will take time for Ralph to turn around the program, but he believes she can do it without sacrificing the school's high academic standards. Twenty-four hours a day he's going," Ralph said, jokingly. Ralph played a key role in recruiting and working with several players who would go on to become some of the best players in the WNBA. In 2005, Earley was an All-SEC first-team selection and candidate for the Naismith Trophy. (Twitter/@VandyWBB), Betsy Goodfriend, Deputy Sports Editor April 13, 2021. According to Mike DiMauro of the New London (CT) Day, Vanderbilt has hired UConn assistant Shea Ralph as its next women's basketball coach, replacing Stephanie White who was fired last week after five years and a 46-83 record. Multiple reports say that Ralph will move to Nashville with her husband Tom Garrick, who could join her staff as an assistant. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Donate to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Challenge. [10] Despite barely eating, she still managed to score 3,002 points in her high school career.[11]. Ralph was drafted by the WNBA Utah Starzz, but recurring knee problems prevented her from embarking on a professional career. Stanford just won a national championship with that kind of kid that is looking for that kind of experience," he said. Ralph was proficient in multiple sports, set state high school records in basketball, and earned multiple national player of the year awards in high school and college. He played in the NBA for four seasons (1988-92) for the Clippers, Spurs, Timberwolves and Mavericks. She went on to have a great senior season in high school. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Vanderbilt has hired Shea Ralph away from UConn to help revive the Commodores' struggling women's basketball program, which hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament since 2014. Head coach Geno Auriemma called the head coach at Pittsburgh, Agnus Berenato, for permission to talk to Ralph. She can be reached at elizabeth.goodfriend@vanderbilt.edu. In all, Ralph worked with 21 WNBA draft picks at UConn, including nine top-five picks and three No. Garrick became the head coach at UMass Lowell in 2018 and has also served in assistant roles at Boston College and Rhode Island. All rights reserved. HIRING: UConn assistant Shea Ralph named Vanderbilt women's basketball coach, Weve always talked a lot about basketball. During the four years she played full or partial seasons, UConn had a record of 13010. [12] Another premier program, the University of Tennessee, was also very interested in Ralph. NASHVILLE, Tenn. One of womens college basketballs most respected and well-known coaches will usher in a new era of success for Vanderbilt as Shea Ralph, a seven-time national champion as a student-athlete and coach, has been named womens basketball head coach. 2022-23 Media Guide. Prior to returning to UConn as an assistant, Ralph spent five seasons at the University of Pittsburgh from 2003-08. It is not uncommon for coaches to promise starting positions and a minimum number of minutes playing time for highly promising recruits. 1 player in the country in the 2020 class and won the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy and AP Player of the Year awards as a freshman in 2020-21. Ralph also helped recruitPaige Bueckers who was the No. That included a 63-59 victory against No. [33] She finished her college career with 1,678 points. "I've learned how to take losing." In her free time, she enjoys online shopping, creating to-do lists and watching football even if she has no interest in either team playing. Exclusive, subscriber-only content and weekly email newsletters. While Ralph did not confirm Garrick's hiring on Wednesday, she did acknowledge that he is moving to Nashville. She was also an assistant under Balcomb from 2013-16 and helped recruit multiple top-20 classes. I am so excited to work alongside our amazing community in elevating our womens basketball program back toan elite level. The rematch between the two teams came in the Big East Championship game. Her senior year ended prematurely with an ACL tear in the Big East Tournament. She also had six steals and seven assists, prompting teammate Marci Czel to nickname her Tournament Shea. [17] She also earned national freshman of the year honors from both the United States Basketball Writers Association and The Sporting News. From 2009 to 2015 he served as a women's basketball assistant coach at Vanderbilt University before moving on to Boston College for three seasons. I know everyone here at UConn is incredibly excited for Shea. Ralph, 43, comes to Vanderbilt after spending 13 seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut. During her time with the Huskies, she recruited and worked with players like Paige Bueckers, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart while mentoring 21 WNBA draft picks, including nine top-five picks and three No. At halftime Ralph told her teammates that she had just "tweaked" it, and she would be back. A seven-time national champion as a student-athlete or coach, Ralph arrived at Vanderbilt after spending the previous 13 seasons as an assistant coach alongside Geno Auriemma at the University of Connecticut. She explained, "Coach Auriemma was the only coach that told me if I was really good I'd play a lot, and if I sucked I wasn't playing." 1 picks in the WNBA along with 21 other WNBA draft picks and nine top-five picks. We know you have many choices and appreciate you investing in us and the future of journalism. In April, those contrasts set up Auriemma's pitch for Ralph to seek the Vanderbilt women's basketball head coaching job after 18 years as an assistant, including the past 13 on his UConn staff. [14][15] She was enrolled at the university for five years, with a medical redshirt in her second year, 199798. [18], Shea had her best scoring year as a sophomore, with 16.7 points per game. The appointment Tuesday of Ralph as the sixth head coach in Vanderbilt womens basketball history will be followed by an official introductory press conference at 1 p.m. CT Wednesday. Lets give a big Commodore Welcome to Shea Ralph-Garrick and family! Vanderbilt men's coach Jerry Stackhouse wrote on Twitter of the coach who grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The 2022-23 season marks her second leading the Commodores. UConn women's basketball assistant coach and former player Shea Ralph is taking the next big step in her career, joining the Vanderbilt women's basketball program as their head coach after . We talked about people before; it starts and endswith people for me. New Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph brings a unique connection to West End her husband, Tom Garrick, was an assistant at Vanderbilt from 2009 to 2015 under former coach Melanie Balcomb. A 2001 graduate of UConn, Ralph spent the last 13 seasons in Storrs as an assistant coach. It just asked. Shea Ralph poised to lead the Commodores. Vanderbilt has hired Shea Ralph away from UConn to help revive the Commodores' struggling women's basketball program. [32], Shea was a member of the inaugural class (2006) of inductees to the University of Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program. Shes been recruiting at that level for a long, long time now.. say that Ralph will move to Nashville with her husband Tom Garrick, who could join her staff as an assistant. Roster. By extension, he will not be able to continue as the head coach at UMass Lowell. Fifteen years later, they are about to conclude their first season coaching alongside each other at Vanderbilt. Despite having to deal with five ACL injuries during her playing career, Ralph was a first-team All-American and the Honda Award winner as national player of the year while leading UConn to a national championship in 2000. The North Carolina program was one of the better programs in the country. Shea Ralph Head Coach phone 615.343.8482 Email chris.brann@vanderbilt.edu Shea Ralph was named the sixth head coach in Vanderbilt women's basketball history on April 13, 2021. Five student-athletes scored in double figures en route to defeating Gardner-Webb on Nov. 9, 2021, Ralphs first game as a head coach. . [30] However, on her next possession, she drove to the basket and took a shot, twisting to avoid her defender. Ralph, one of the most popular players in program history, was named head coach at Vanderbilt on Tuesday. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Its an amazing opportunity to be at such a great university in a great city. . She was unable to play for the rest of the tournament. Coach Ralph has earned the opportunity to take the reins of our womens basketball program and transform it into what we all know is possible, Lee said. Head coach Kevin Ollie was paid just under $2.8 million. As one of the most celebrated student-athletes in womens basketball history, Ralph ranks eighth in UConns storied record book with 1,678 points. "He said two words: no-brainer," Ralph said. As an All-American guard and later as an assistant coach under Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma at Connecticut, she was part of 12 Final Four appearances. Reach Joe Spears at jspears2@gannett.com or 731-343-4923. Garrick, a former NBA player, will be his wifes associate head coach. Were going to miss her tremendously she brought passion and energy to everything she did in Storrs. [19] In the Big East tournament, her play earned her the Most Outstanding Performer award. Shea Sydney Ralph (born March 12, 1978)[1] is a former collegiate basketball player and current head coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball team. As a national high school player of the year in Fayetteville, North Carolina, she gained immediate acclaim in a Connecticut program that was emerging as a perennial powerhouse. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File). Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In her first press conference after becoming Vanderbilt's new women's basketball head coach, Shea Ralph breaks down key qualities she looks for in a player and what it means to be the new coach of the Lady Commodores. The low point came in a game against Big East rival Notre Dame in January, a match-up between two undefeated teams ranked number one and number two in the country. He has spent the past three seasons as womens coach at UMass Lowell. [9] A preseason second ACL tear caused her to miss the entire 199798 season. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Full access on your desktop, tablet and mobile device. [2] She was previously an assistant coach at UConn from 2008 to 2021. Shea Ralph The information below applies to the data obtained for the 2022 contract season: To see the methodology behind this data, click here . She spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh, which won at least 22 games in each of her last three seasons. The Commodores were just 4-4 this season before the program shut down in early January due to a depleted roster from COVID issues and injuries. $300 million project to improve football and basketball facilities. [9], Shea Ralph Statistics[35] at University of Connecticut, Ralph was named to the team representing the US in 2000 at the William Jones Cup competition in Taipei, Taiwan. Ralph, a graduate of UConn, has been an assistant coach for the Huskies for the past 13 years. Vanderbilt opted out of the season in January with a roster thinned because of COVID-19 issues, injuries, one player with myocarditis and another recovering from an ACL injury. After Lee hired Ralph as Vanderbilt's women's basketball coach in 2021, she relayed the story. She turned the program around, leading the Panthers to their first NCAA Regional round in school history. 2022-23 Season Stats (PDF) 2022-23 BIG EAST Stats (PDF) Additional Links. It began with an offhand comment by a teammate, telling her she looked a "little thick". She helped win a national championship as a player at the University of Connecticut in 2000 and won numerous individual awards, including the Sports Illustrated for Women Player of the Year and the Honda Sports Award for the best collegiate female athlete in basketball. "Shea has had a huge impact on the UConn womens basketball program, as both a player and a coach. The Commodores also quickly embraced a collaborative spirit under Ralphs guidance. Coaches. Ralph was the presumed successor to Auriemma once he retires but now will get the chance to lead her own program. Ralph is married to former NBA player and fellow coach Tom Garrick, who is a member of her coaching staff at Vanderbilt.[48]. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears7. Some felt that the salary paid was out of line with her education credentials. Harbison played 37 minutes and Garraud played 34. She participated in the WBCA High School All-America Game in 1996, scoring twelve points. After beginning her coaching career as an assistant at the University of Pittsburgh, she returned to Connecticut and joined Auriemmas coaching staff in 2008. She focused on coaching guards as well as player development and recruitment according to her. She opted to sit out the first year so her knees could recover, but she never ended up playing in the league. In 2000 Ralph captained the team to the national championship and at the Final Four, was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Coach Ralph has earned the opportunity to take the reins of our womens basketball program and transform it into what we all know is possible, said Candice Lee, Vanderbilt vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. 1 overall selections. UConn assistant Shea Ralph named Vanderbilt women's basketball coach, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Plus Ciaja Harbison thoughts and VandyBoys weekend roundup, FELLAS: Vanderbilts ChatGPT email is automated hypocrisy, Two Vanderbilt students compete in Jeopardy! During her four years she wore number 33, worn previously by Jamelle Elliott, current UConn sports announcer Meghan Pattyson Culmo and subsequently by Barbara Turner. She was drafted by the Utah Starzz in the third round of the 2001 WNBA Draft, but due to her knee injuries, she never played professionally. New Vanderbilt women's basketball coach Shea Ralph hired her husband, Tom Garrick, and former Vanderbilt star player Ashley Earley on her staff. Ralph, 43, played at UConn from 1996-97 to 2000-01, missing the 1997-98 season with a knee injury. She knows what winning looks like, and she has the background and experience, as both a player and a coach, to develop our student-athletes into champions.. Ralph became a coach after playing career ended due to multiple ACL tears in college. Although she dealt with numerous knee injuries during her time at Connecticut, she was a first-team All-American and the Honda Award winner as national player of the year while leading Connecticut to a national championship in 2000. Shea Ralph was drafted in the third round (40th pick) by the Utah Starzz[37] (now the Las Vegas Aces) of the WNBA. Shea Ralph and Tom Garrick met at a recruiting event. As a junior, she led UConn to a national title and earned awards including the Sports Illustrated Women Player of the Year and Big East Player of the Year. 15 Florida in Memorial Gymnasium on Feb. 24, 2022, the programs first win against a ranked opponent since 2020. Its not easy, but theyre out there and Shea knows where to look. At the time of the award she held 17 state basketball records, including 39.1 points per game as a junior, a 71.6 percent shooting percentage from the floor as a junior, and 18 assists in one game. Wright, Commodores stun Kentucky to keep NCAA hopes alive, Chancellor Diermeier calls ChatGPT-crafted response to MSU shooting unfortunate, discusses AI in the classroom, Debrief with Diermeier: Campus expansions, ChatGPT, local politics and more, PODCAST: Does Vanderbilt have a path to NCAA tournament? 7 Vanderbilt battles back against Austin Peay to pick up sixth win of the season, 11-7, Vanderbilt looks to make a run in SEC tournament as 12 seed, The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University, Betsy Goodfriend, Former Deputy Sports Editor, 2023 | The Hustler is not operated by Vanderbilt University. After playing in only ten losing games in her four-year career, she joined a team that had a streak of eleven losses in eleven games heading into their final season game, which they also lost. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print edition. She also ranked among the programs top 10 career leaders in assists (456), steals (252) and field goal percentage (.579). . With many of Vanderbilt's top players having departed the program via transfer in recent months, new coach Shea Ralph has a long road to rebuild the Commodores' talent base. UConn coach Geno Auriemma said Ralph will leave a big void in the Huskies' program but deserves a shot at what he called a big job. Credit: AP. Garrick was most recently the head coach of UMass Lowells womens basketball program. Ralph was an instrumental figure in recruiting and player development with the Huskies. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) Vanderbilt has hired UConn assistant Shea Ralph as its next women's basketball coach. Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph communicates with players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina . "I understand as a new head coach I need to make the right choice. Ralph has been an assistant with the Huskies since 2008, and she helped lead UConn to 13 consecutive Final Fours and six NCAA championships. #AnchorDown https://t.co/WyVwfH9iP2. [9] Playing basketball was her first love, and benching her from playing did get her to eat;[8] however, that only lasted until her first ACL tear. Not able to exercise while rehabilitating, she worried about gaining weight and reverted to poor eating habits. "I am so excited to work alongside our amazing community in elevating our womens basketball program back to an elite level.. Nine starters transferred out of the program during Whites tenure, including three just last month. 0:49 Vanderbilt women's basketball coach Shea Ralph said the decision to dismiss center Amauri Williams from the team was not a difficult one. The 2022-23 season marks her second leading the Commodores. Here are five things to know about Ralph: Before joining UConn coach Geno Auriemma as an assistant, Ralph was one of the top high school players in the country. [20], In her junior year (19992000), she was named captain of the team that went on to win the national championship. Ralph has spent the last 13 seasons as an assistant. New Vanderbilt womens basketball coach Shea Ralph hired her husband, Tom Garrick, and former Vanderbilt star player Ashley Earley on her staff. Ralph, who graduated from Connecticut in 2001, was captain of the Huskies' 2000 national championship team and was named MVP of that Final Four. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Vanderbilt has hired Shea Ralph away from UConn to help revive the Commodores' struggling women's basketball program, which hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament since. It is with great honor and a full heart that I join Vanderbilt University as the next womens basketballheadcoach, Ralph said. Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt logos are registered trademarks of Vanderbilt University, 2022 Vanderbilt University . [25] She played on the USA Basketball 2000 Jones Cup Team that won the gold in Taipei.[26].