In the real world, these job postings have these criteria as filters. But I have seen hires where all the criteria weren't met. There is something to be said for applicants who go after a job where they may not have the experience, but can show why they are best for the job - assuming they get in the door in the first place.

Now with Michaela already being a relative newby, I can see going after the experience (assuming Michaela remains).
Many think Brey hiring ex-players with little experience has been a problem.

Also, someone with 10+ years experience may be looking for a head coaching job or have decided to be comfortable where they are.

I think the hiring decision may be based on who is leaving as well.
Rambling thoughts - one thing I am sure of, Niele isn't asking me.

...after all, the associate head coach carries more responsbility and, hence, bigger salary.

But your point is valid: if there's someone who is a tad less than 10 years, but has many years of playing professionally and knocks the socks off the interview and/or Niele really wants her (proabably), then sure, it wouldn't be absolute.

But the fact that it's in there tells me that Niele does want an experienced coach.

I've got to think Niele wants to keep a young person around. As vibrant and youthful as she is, having a person under 30 is a good move for relating to players and families.

Stay tuned!

Having written a few position descriptions in my day, using the word "requirement" for 10 years is probably fixed. Typically, you use the word "preferred" if you want some wiggle room. It potentially gets sticky, and potentially litigious, if you want to hire someone with fewer than 10 years, but you have someone who has met the 10 year threshold in the applicant pool. I do agree with those who say NI probably has her coach picked out. It is not unusual to pick the person, and then write the description specifically to that person's qualifications to ensure the person is hired. It's a bit deceptive, and arguably unethical, and HR frowns on the practice. But, it happens often. Look for the person who matches this description to the letter, and that is likely the next coach.

In other words, if this job posting was just to fulfill a requirement and job had already all but been filled, then writing a job description that fits Coquese and probably very few other probable candidates, eliminates any critical review from the outside.

I was seeing if there might some wiggle room going into the search, but like many, I think this search is pretty much focused on one or two candidates already. I've taken a guess at one "ND coaching tree" and two outside the tree and all three blow by the 10-year requirement.

Melissa D'Amico has seven years of coaching experience but played pro ball for quite a few. However, the requirement was for 10 years coaching.

Think we'll know this soon enough....