If a "returning coach" such as Nell Fortner is coming back to the races, it sure would help if you had a lot of good players who could help you be competitive on the court while you get back up to speed in other aspects of the coaching gig.

And right now, four of GT's best -- Elizabeth Balogun, Elizabeth Dixon, Kierra Fletcher and Francesa Pan -- are all in the "transfer portal," with only Pan saying she'd consider coming back to GT (she only has one year of eligibility and is not a grad transfer).

However, the other three are keystones for that program. If Nell hasn't picked up the phone or visited their dorm rooms yet, she should make a point of it. Pronto.

I know what the rule or policy of the ACC is. Personally I think it is
silly to push players out of a conference and make others stronger. Lets
just say because of the ACC rule/policy. All 3 girls end up with the
SEC University of Georgia. I do believe UGA is on GT schedule yearly. So you
are willing to make a rival stronger that could impact your own conference.
To me that is poor manaagement.

I am also a strong believer in the theory "You Do Not Know Unless You
Try".

...First I would challenge it going up the food change with good reasons
why desire that particular school. Make the policy a case by case issue.

...If that does not work, social media. That seems to help a lot.

...Next and last resort. I would go the legal route. The ACC would lose
in the big picture.

...Now hypothetically, which of those players would be good enough and
MM would have interest in them as a transfer player.

...With a waiver, which has been proven positive in the pass, they could
be eligible to play immediately. That sure could be great for ND.

Thanks

SEG/Chief

of our two "rivals" along with BC. I like her a lot too. She's a great get for the ACC and Georgia Tech.

a yellowjackets nest

I like her. She coached before, correct?

women's head bball coach from 97-200- and won the 2000 Australia Olympic. Last coached college in 2012.

I've been in jury deliberations all day and just came out to a mess of transfers, a new predicted WNBA order and this hiring.

I've gotten to appreciate some...errr, even most...of Nell's homespun insights on ESPN. Beyond the hokum, there's some definite insight. She had a great record as the U.S. National Team coach but, really, who wouldn't?

But the track record at Auburn, her last major gig, was ehhh. Been out of the business for a pretty long time and is jumping back in at a time when most are starting to think "when should I get out?"

Really thought this job was going to go to someone like Felisha Legette-Smith, who bounced back from a tough experience at Indiana and nailed it at Buffalo, using a combination of transfers, international players and under-the-radar types. Imagine what she could've done in Atlanta and Georgia Tech? Or Tina Langley, who took Rice from a nothing to an NCAA berth?

Or maybe the mess at Ga. Tech scared some folks off? Their top four players are in the transfer portal...who knows if they're coming back? And there could be some residual effects from the M. Joseph-Ga. Tech mess, which is sure to go to litigation. Maybe coaches that I mentioned steered clear and/or Nell was a popular "safe and bright lights choice."

Joseph was intense but she had some talent on that team. Wish her luck, but we'll see what happens here: I'm not as enthusiastic as others.

Over the years I have seen it go both ways. One side will be successful
but on the other hand they fail.

...Here is just a couple of pros and cons I have seen affect the coaches
coming back.

...A pro is that they learned from talking to other coaches and by watching
the game. Working for ESPN in this regard really helps Neill. She is able
to watch the game all over the country and all the different styles. She
has developed a contact with different coaches to pick their brains. If
she ever thought about getting back into coaching. She was taking notes
since working for ESPN.

...A negative would be the game and players are different. She will have
to change and adept to the new game. This can be very difficult if you
have to relearn from any length of times. Players act differently,
motivated differently, complain and cry differently. In some cases
players do not respect authority like in the pass. But with the right
coach this can be changed. Not easy but it can be done.

...A positive for Neill is she is very knowledgeable of the game and
is a good communicator. She also seems to have patience. From listening
to her on certain subjects. She seems a very strong willed and morals
person. With what GT is going through. This is going to be very
important to her success. It may not happen over night. She will need
time. GT needs to know she needs time.

...Her first mission is to have one one ones with each of the girls
in the transfer portal. She needs to convince as many as she can to
to give her and new staff a chance. That the players know she is not
like previous coach. Let them know about her and her coaching style
and what she expects. Then have a one on one with the rest of the
team and coaches.

...Neill will have problems at first. Will not be easy. But it can be
done. Right now the most important part of her job is to win over the
current players. Second important part is to decide which assistants,
if any she will retain. That could be a key decision in which players
may change their mind.

Thanks guys/gals I am done. Feel free let me know your opinion. I am
very thicked skinned. My years in the Navy.

SEG/Chief