Muffet McGraw, in a recent interview, said she believed ESPN was “the Huskies network”. Of course, Geno had to fire back but it was interesting that he did not deny the charge. In typical Geno fashion, he just said Muffet must be bored in retirement. I have always felt that bias especially back in the day when I was following the Pat Summitt coached Vols. Good for Muffett calling them out on what a lot of people think to be true. What do y’all think?
UCONN's network partner for televising non-national games is SNY and now that they've rejoined the Big East, their conference partner is Fox. But when it comes to topics of articles (ESPN website) and non-game coverage on the network, I can't see how anyone disputes that ESPN is a UCONN barker. Geno and Muffett have been at each others' throats for years - I was hoping we'd have to hear less from both about it once she retired. Sadly, no.
Too bad Muffet McGraw, former head coach of Notre Dame WBB, has retired. Both she and Geno Auriemma are from Philadelphia and their friction comes from their ultra-competitiveness. 1) McGraw is right, ESPN absolutely has a UCONN bias and I see it all the time in their women's basketball coverage, 2) Auriemma is right part of the bias is because of their success, but I would add part of the bias is because ESPN is located in Bristol, CT, a 45 min. drive to UCONN, 3) Auriemma is right he has won more national championships than Tennessee, but McGraw is right that Tennessee has won more games than UCONN. 4) It must grate on sexist McGraw that Aureimma, a man, has won 11 national championships in women's basketball. 5) Aureimma is thinned skin.
Wasn’t ESPN created to showcase UCONN sports in the beginning? I do miss the Geno/Muffett battles myself
Honestly what Muffett said was very complimentary of UConn while still very true of ESPN. Why Geno took offense is beyond me. He has been and will always be a big baby.
I agree with this except calling McGraw sexist because she promotes equality for women. Seems like the typical male response.
McGraw has publicly stated she will never hire a male coach. Imagine if a male coach said he will never hire a female coach. If so, Becky Hammon, Kara Lawson would never have an opportunity. In her beliefs, even if Vic Schaefer is one of the top coaches in the country, he has no business coaching women basketball. That is prima facie evidence she's a sexist and I call it the way it is even if you don't like it Bucksgal.
Do you call emphatically stating you will NEVER hire a male coach equality for women??? She’s absolutely sexist and doesn’t shy away from it. If the shoe fits......
Glad Coach Jody Condradt didn't take that attitude towards male coaches in women's athletics. Not only would we not have Vic, but we also wouldn't have the volleyball program that we do.
I Actually think all on this post are right, Muffet was sexist in the name of equality. I know that sounds contradictory, but with an inherent bias against women in coaching, her idea of advancing equality was to always make sure women had opportunities on her staff because there were/are far fewer available to women than men as HC's at top programs. While it has improved over time, its hard to argue with her logic. At best its an "agree to disagree" scenario.
Honestly, some here are taking Muffett’s remarks out of context. She used her position within the women’s game to lift up other women because she felt the men’s game and, to a certain extent all sports, had not given women enough opportunities. She was being “sexist” about sexism. I’ll defend her comments right up until the day you show me some female head coaches in the men’s game. I believe there is one now and a total of two to date.
I don't disagree with you that women have not been given equal opportunity in the men's game. It sucks and it's unfair. As a male former athlete of numerous sports, I would have never had an issue having a female coach. In fact, played for a couple of female coaches on the competitive recreational level. But my question is, are women really wanting/applying for opportunities in the men's game? Regardless, I still think McGraw's words were sexist and wrong. According to her logic great coaches like Geno, Leon Barmore, Gary Blair, Van Chancellor, Andy Landers, Doug Bruno, Wes Moore, Jeff Walz, Vic Schaefer, etc have no place in the women's game. That begs the question... Would the popularity and parity of the women's game have ultimately ended up exactly where it is now without the contributions of those pioneer male coaches and the exposure created by their successful programs? Of course we'll never know definitively, but I think I have a pretty good idea. Edit: Not at all to say that the male coaches are the reason why the women's game has gained in popularity and parity. But rather that that I feel their contributions definitely helped grow the sport.
My interpretation of what McGraw said would not take away from the male coaches there already but going forward there’s a need for some equalization for women. I’ll be glad when the day comes that a woman coaching a mens team is a normal thing and not far fetched, further down the line or a unique situation.
i actually think we agree more on this than disagree. But I don’t think Muffett was putting down any of the male coaches. Rather I think she was drawing a line in the sand demanding equity. I also think the name “Muffett” makes this all a tiny bit funny even though I like her and agree with her stance.