USC hires Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Lindsay Gottlieb as women’s basketball coach. This Looks Like a Winning Move By Mike Bohn.
Ryan Kartje (LA Times) — In a first step toward restoring its once-illustrious women’s basketball program, USC poached its next coach from the NBA ranks.
Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Lindsay Gottlieb was named USC’s newest women’s hoops coach, the school announced Monday. She’ll replace Mark Trakh, who retired late last month, four years into his second stint with the Trojans.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that USC committed to “a massive upgrade in program salary and resources” to convince Gottlieb to return to the college ranks.
Gottlieb broke barriers in 2019, becoming the first head women’s college basketball coach to be hired by an NBA team when she left California to be an assistant with the Cavaliers. Less than two years later, she’ll take the reins of a program that has fallen precipitously from its once-proud standing in women’s college hoops, having earned just one NCAA tournament berth during the last 15 seasons.
USC AD Mike Bohn aggressively pursued Gottlieb and called her “a trailblazer who smashed through the glass ceiling of men’s professional sports.”
“We have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead the Women of Troy back to national prominence,” Bohn said in a statement.
Gottlieb’s return to the college ranks suggests a renewed commitment from the university to its women’s basketball program, which endured more than a decade of stagnancy under the previous two athletic administrations. USC hasn’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2014, when the Trojans were bounced in the first round under former coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, who never made it back to the tournament.
The Trojans’ last tournament win came during Trakh’s first stint as coach, when he led USC to first-round victories in 2005 and 2006. But Trakh missed the postseason in each of his next three seasons, before leaving USC for personal reasons. He returned in 2017 to replace Cooper-Dyke, but had similarly middling results, winning 19 games in his first season and steadily declining from there.
Last month, in a statement announcing his retirement, Trakh called the program’s current status “a perfect time for a transition in the Trojan basketball program.”
“I can’t imagine a more optimal time for all of us to embrace a fresh start,” he wrote in a statement.
Gottlieb, 43, comes to USC with a six-year deal and strong ties to the state of California. Her first head coaching job came at UC Santa Barbara, where she won two Big West Coach of the Year awards in three seasons and made the NCAA Tournament in 2009.
Gottlieb led UCSB to the NCAA and WNIT tournaments in three seasons before Cal hired her away in 2011. She coached several of her stars, including New York’s Layshia Clarendon and Los Angeles’ Kristine Anigwe, to the WNBA.
She didn’t waste any time rebuilding during her last stint as a Pac-12 coach. At California, where she first served as an assistant from 2006-08, Gottlieb immediately established herself as one of college basketball’s rising young coaches, winning 179 games and taking the Bears to seven NCAA tournaments in eight seasons from 2012-19. In 2014, her second season at the helm, Gottlieb led Cal to a shared Pac-12 title and a Final Four berth.
At USC, Gottlieb will be tasked with restoring the program to its former glory. The Trojans are two-time national championship winners but have not made the Final Four since 1986 nor the Sweet 16 since 1994. USC has appeared in the NCAA Tournament just once since 2006.
In a statement, Gottlieb said a renewed commitment to rebuild the previously elite program was a factor in her decision to return to college basketball.
“I went to the NBA to challenge myself at the highest levels of the game of basketball and was fully invested in that journey,” Gottlieb said. “However, the commitment of President Carol Folt and athletic director Mike Bohn to women’s basketball at USC, and to my vision of success, made it clear that NOW is the right time to come here and use all my coaching experience to partner with the young women in the program, the administration and our future student-athletes to make USC women’s basketball the most dynamic program in the country.”
Gottlieb will remain with the Cavaliers for the final four games of the regular season before leaving for USC, sources said. Her agent, Bret Just of WME Sports, finalized details of the deal with Bohn on Monday morning, sources said.
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My God, there is so much to talk about. Gottlieb hire does show Trojan fans that the madam President and AD Bohn do care about something in the athletic department. I am good with that. Lady Trojan basketball was fun to watch long ago. I watched C. Miller and the McGee sisters, et al and loved every minute of it in person. It was very entertaining. Maybe we can resurrect Women’s Basketball at USC. The Galen Center will have two teams to draw a crowd. Steven Carr was a good back as a Freshman and not so good after that.… Read more »
Totally agree. But Carr was a nice #3 RB option for USC.
I think Folt has backed herself into a corner. She’s thrown all her weight behind a money-losing, tradition-trashed women’s sport at USC.
I don’t see how she can do that, and still thumb her nose at the awesome heritage of USC football. IMO, she can’t, and she knows the pressure is on to allow Bohn to fix that sport too.
She’s also seen the most recent USC football ticket sales, which might just be miserable, but I don’t know. The actual Spring “game” football attendance was woeful.
Everything is hyper political these days. Folt can always pull that card. Just because they spend more on women’s basketball doesn’t mean the same for football. Logic gets thrown out the window too often.
Tea leaves are hard to read and an ideologically driven academic politician who seeks to destroy a culture based on excellence in football is even harder. She is, at core, a politician and, I agree with you, she cannot destroy the SC football legacy and survive. She must let it fade away. She certainly cannot hope that women’s BB (or any women’s sport) will replace football in income (look at the WNBA, which has never made money and is subsidized by the NBA). So, I agree, this is virtue signaling from Folt (a well established SJW political tradition); her hope… Read more »
Former Trojan DT Antwaun Woods signed a 1-year deal with the Colts yesterday after being waived by the Cowboys. Woods was originally undrafted in 2016 out of USC but signed with the Titans before moving to Dallas in 2018.
Hopefully, hiring Gottlieb has sent a strong message to the world that USC is totally willing to pay big bucks to fix a bad coaching situation (see Clay Helton).
That may very well be an overly optimistic observation of what has just happened here. Then again, it might be true. Hard for me to tell, really.
Big-bucks is a relative term IMO if we are comparing what it took to sign a womem’s head basketball coach to what it will take to sign an established.big-name head football coach. Whatever it would take, he’ll need more cash incentive than what Clay gets paid.
Indeed, it’s all relative.
But if USC is willing to dump Trakh (finally!) and pay three times as much to Gottlieb, along with all the other increased spending promises for money-losing Women’s BB, then Clay’s replacement will earn the going rate for the best coaches at the best schools. To me, the hiring of Gottlieb gives me confidence that this could actually happen.
I wonder how this hire will impact Andy Enfield. If Gottlieb can turn the women’s program around quickly (and based on all reports, she will), then how does Enfield look as he has been given 7 years. I would hope that Bohn has the sense not to renew Enfield until he sees how Gottlieb performs.
Maybe Gottlieb can teach Enfield some things on the side. You know, Trojan-to-Trojan!
Since the two have the same agent, the dynamics here are wonderful!
Bye, Bye Stephen Carr. Thanks for the memories:
I remember only three of his plays. The first two were from his true frosh year. The first play was against Stanford at the Coliseum. I was at the game. He got a chip block from Josh Falo and exploded for about 75 yards. To be honest, I cannot remember another carry from him that showed that explosiveness. The other was the 2017 game against TX at the Coliseum the following week. I was also there. SC was down 17-14 with about thirty seconds to go at midfield and no time outs. The TX linebacker came clean on a blitz,… Read more »
This quote about USC’s new WBB coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, struck a cord with me:
Los Angeles Sparks forward-center and former Cal standout Kristine Anigwe
This made me wonder? Do USC’s players trust Clay Helton? Is it even important for players to trust the head coach, so long as they do trust their position coaches?
My guess is that establishing trust based on honesty is one component of being an outstanding HC. Excellence is another. Gottlieb seems to possess both. Clay possesses only one and not the other. This hire shows that SC understands the importance of having an excellent HC. My hope is that this investment will require that they hire a competent HC in football. My guess is the football players trust Clay’s honesty; I think everyone realizes that he lacks excellence in his job (in fact, he lacks even competence).
I don’t trust Clay’s honesty at all, so I don’t know why USC’s players would.
You and I see Clay (e.g., his honesty) the same way Allen. He gets away with it mostly because his style is softer than most ego-centered head coaches. JMHO
Gentleman Clay’s a very sly dude IMO. The fact that he could actually convince Max Nikias to hire him as the permanent USC HFC, and the fact that he is still the Trojan coach, making ridiculous money, despite his massive shortcomings, shows just how well he knows how to play the game. When I think of Clay, I think of a guy who is always calculating his moves, whether it be to publicly support Carol Folt, or refuse to have a Signing Day recruiting presser because he did so poorly and didn’t want to explain how the Trojans had failed… Read more »
Allen, Great post and totally agree. I think that we are saying the same thing using different styles. Clay is completely incompetent as a football HC but he(as you eloquently note) is elite at campus politics. And political concerns will always trump football concerns for Clay. Thus, when dealing with Clay, IF there are no political ramifications, I think you can trust him. If there are, then you KNOW you cannot. If the topic is football, you cannot trust him because he is incompetent; if the topic has any political ramification, you cannot trust him; otherwise, he is extremely trustworthy.
I might add that this view explains why his press conferences are so painful. They are not about football at all; they are all about political ramifications of what he says. So, if you trust anything that he says to the press, you are a fool.
What they are saying about new Women’s BB coach Lindsay Gottlieb: NBA PLAYERS She’s been amazing. She’s had a voice in our locker room since Day 1. She’s really funny, smart, good to be around, knows the game. She’s exceptional. She’s going to be a force of nature going forward. Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love She killed it. She was on point with every single detail. It’s crazy. I’ve never had a female coach before. I’m so amazed by her. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland I immediately gravitated towards her and have ever since. I always preach positivity. She sees… Read more »
Tim Tebow, who won the Heisman as a soph in 2007, is now 33 and hasn’t played in an NFL game since Dec. 30, 2012. Maybe Urban Meyer isn’t as smart as he thinks he is.
All Tebow is getting is a chance to complete for a spot at Tight End. A gift from Meyer to a former player at the end of his athletic career.
That’s the point. Tebow’s football career ended many, many years ago, and he’s never even been an NFL TE. And from what’s broiling around out there, Meyer has really stirred up some vocal animosity from those who want to make a political/Colin Kaepernick issue of this. Some NFLers are posting threats like, “Wait till we play Jacksonville,” because Tebow is even getting this opportunity.
These coaches go through so much (and publicly no less) that many, or at least some, of us would find mind-boggling, I bet. Nothing’s simple it seems.
Tebow is the ultimate in class–the complete opposite of KrapperDunk. Therefore, because the NFL wokesters (players and press) can’t STFU about KrapperDapper and his supposed missed opportunities after he thumbed his nose at the 49ers, I will continue to pray for Tebow to have a season or two to contribute to the rebuilt, successful Jags. I will enjoy watching “Colon” continue to bitch and moan about poor little him and mean old Whitey NFL keeping him from playing. Why would any organization want to hire a head case like Krapper’sFull for their team? He has proven to be nothing but… Read more »
You left out Marxist in your description of his girlfriend. Though how can you be a Muslim and a Marxist, but aren’t all radical lefties hypocrites?
I’m no Kaepernick fan. And I’m really no Tebow fan either, though I can see why he’s the most popular player in the history of the SEC. He was pretty phenomenal as a Gator.
I think Meyer’s re-hooking up with Tebow reveals an interesting number of dilemmas that are facing us all today in many areas.
But I’m pretty simple about this stuff. If Tebow is the best the Jags can do at TE, put him out there. Somehow, that would seem like a reach, however.
If he’s not the best, sign and play someone better.
If there is a bigger example of an ungrateful knucklehead than Kaepernick, I don’t know who that would be. If he loves the Marxists ideals he speaks so glowingly of, let the dirtbag move to Venezuela, North Korea or Cuba, and he can live the good life.
He is one horrible human being. Don’t let anyone at ESPN know I said that!
I think this is good news for SC Football. Women’s BB is a money loser. Folt is going to need money to pay for this upgrade. And, Football is the source of those funds.
Folt’s problem is that she loves Helton. Okay. Maybe love is too strong a word. But she likes the guy and refused to allow donors to pick up his big exit tab because of that. Obviously, USC could have hired Meyer, and afforded it, but Folt didn’t like him and she decided to keep USC football in neutral until she is confronted with just how dissatisfied Trojans are with the program. I really like the Trojan WBB coach hire. USC had to go to the mat for this and Gottlieb wasn’t a piece of cake to reel in. Love this… Read more »
I’m with TRJJ, this is a good sign for USC and USC athletics. They are starting to make moves when the time is right. A big upgrade in women’s BB means they want upgrades everywhere.The time for a change with football will come in December. Be patient football fans. If you upgrade non revenue sports then you have to get the money somewhere. USC football is the cash cow (or should I say, bull).💲💲💲✌
If the 2021 Football team performs as both Stu Mandel and I expect it will, look for attendance (assuming restrictions are lifted) to be in the mid to low 40,000 level. (Down 45,000 from PC, about $9,000,000 a game in revenue loss plus significant drop off in donations). Finances and politics will force Madame Chairman to allow Bohn to upgrade the football team.
So we win! I’m all for it, however it happens.
You’re assuming RJJ that Folt understands basic concepts of business, how to increase revenue, and cashflow. I’m not that convinced when I analyze the football product we are currently putting in the Coliseum.
But you have to admit TT — signing up a big-time college WBB coach is a very good sign!
At least in WBB, the days of USC being satisfied with low rent coaches like Mark Trakh are over. Imagine how we’d feel if USC brought in another inexpensive hack to replace him, or promoted up from Trakh’s staff?
So maybe there’s hope for USC athletics after all. Maybe Folt really does understand that there are big negative consequences that attach to mediocrity, underperformance, and hopelessness amongst a fan base.
One can only hope Allen.
All I know is I was shocked to learn Mike Bohn went out and bought a possible true gem to lead women’s hoops, and I appreciate that because it shows me not all hope is lost for Trojan athletics. I guess winning the Beach NC still has me a little jacked up. But now USC becomes a soon-to-be true NC contender in a sport I thought USC had just given up on. Lo and behold, was I ever wrong. This all causes me to think all is not lost for football too. I can’t see it as anything but a… Read more »
I think this hire is good but I think it is more about leveling the playing field between mens and womens sports.
Maybe we’ll all have to work on becoming much bigger USC women’s basketball fans. The chances for success there just went up far more in one day than I ever imagined. I’m still really stunned that Folt/Bohn/Caruso went for the moon on this hire. I didn’t think these Trojans had it in them to literally go to the NBA to get one of the most well-respected younger and ground-breaking assistants across the board — and who had already had big success at CAL. My hats off to whomever at USC made this happen. I haven’t been this excited about any… Read more »
I used to attend Lady Trojan games when C. Miller and the 2 Magee girls were there. Wooden was quoted as saying, “the game was meant to be payed beneath the rim.”
Palaie Gaoteote is 22 years old today.
Wow. Shocker!
Trojan RB Stephen Carr will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal per numerous reports.
USC’s decision to stop the “running back by committee” approach has obviously had drastic repercussions for the program.
USC still has RBs Keaontay Ingram, redshirt SR Vavae Malepeai, JR speedster Kenan Christon (missed spring participating in T&F) and early enrollee Brandon Campbell.
Carr was a five-star prospect out of Fontana Summit (CA) and was the nation’s #3 RB in the 2017 class per 247Sports.
He must feel he will not be in the top two. I think with our line we will see injuries to our running back and qb
Let’s face it. This is very bad news. USC RBs seem to often be injured. Were I the Trojan coaches, I’d be searching the portal hard for another RB. Crazy times!
Personally, I felt Carr was our #3 RB. Three’s a crowd as they say, especially when you are the 3rd wheel.
Allen, I do not feel the same way. Carr was never the same after his injury; we heard the same story about his last year. It looked like the two TX kids and Vavae are all better than he is. He views himself as a #1 RB and wants a shot. If they will take him, he should join JT at GA or play for Ed O at LSU.
So you think USC doesn’t need any more RBs? Interesting.
I’m fine without Carr. But USC often has injury trouble with its RBs (IMO), so I’d like to know who’s gonna take the place of Carr, if the others get hurt, and Vavae’s knicked up all the time, Christon’s a track guy more than a football player, and Campbell has no experience whatsoever.
Walk-ons, here we come! Go Matt Colombo!
Allen, you think SC really plans on running the ball? I am all in with Arledge on this one – GH does NOT run the ball – he throws it about 50 times a game. In GH’s O, RB can easily be replaced by putting a TE in the backfield at that position. All the RB mostly does is block and flare out as a release.
Wow. So you don’t care if USC can run the ball? That’s what you are saying.
I’m definitely not in that club, you’re right.
Not at all. I would love to see SC run the ball, just as I wanted them to play better D under Clancy, whose systems were too complex for the kids and he did not substitute enough (and there were other issues as well). I think GH Year 3 will be a repeat of GH Year 1 and GH Year 2, when SC ended up 10th (Year 1) and then 12th (Year 2) in the Pac in rushing. Maybe this year, they split the difference and finish 11th.
Yet you don’t care that Carr is leaving. That’s the part that makes no sense to me.
One thing to consider is everyone but Wisconsin throws the ball 50 times a game now.
CH would be smart to bring in a RB transfer. He brought in another TE which we really really needed more of on the roster. Some decent CB’s on the portal also.