2008 Woodie Awards
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: McDonald left to decide on her future with BSU program
Ryan Wood
When Lisa McDonald was promoted as the interim head coach of Ball State University's women's basketball team, she filled the vacancy without a trace of selfishness, but rather with the team's interest in mind.
Despite the disappointing blow of being told she would not continue as the program's head coach following former coach Tracy Roller's resignation on April 2, McDonald's team mindset didn't waiver Monday.
"I've been really focused on the team this spring and doing the job I'm supposed to do," McDonald said. "I understand the administration has to do what's right for our team. Right now, what's right for our team is for me to back Kelly, so that's what I'm going to do."
McDonald, who resided over the Cardinals' program until the end of the Spring Semester, said she spoke with Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins two or three times regarding the coaching vacancy. She and Collins were out of town on separate affairs all last week, and the last time they had discussed the job vacancy was in early May.
Collins said McDonald was one of his four primary candidates for the job, but he informed McDonald at 9:30 a.m. Monday that he would hire Kelly Packard as the new coach.
"I was a little bit in shock," McDonald said. "I didn't feel like it was a sure thing. I knew it could go either way. I just needed some time to let it sink in. I felt a lot of confidence in our talks, but I never fully expected to get the job."
McDonald wasn't the only person surprised with the news. The three seniors on next year's team - captains Kiley Jarrett and Porchia Green and reserve forward Dana Moorman - had all advocated that Tom Collins hire McDonald to replace Roller.
Following Monday's press conference to announce Packard as the new coach, point guard Kiley Jarrett, who will be a senior on next year's squad, said she was impressed with Packard. However, Jarrett said she wasn't expecting the news.
"It's definitely surprising because we were left in the dark a lot - but that's administration," Jarrett said.
Despite the disappointing blow of being told she would not continue as the program's head coach following former coach Tracy Roller's resignation on April 2, McDonald's team mindset didn't waiver Monday.
"I've been really focused on the team this spring and doing the job I'm supposed to do," McDonald said. "I understand the administration has to do what's right for our team. Right now, what's right for our team is for me to back Kelly, so that's what I'm going to do."
McDonald, who resided over the Cardinals' program until the end of the Spring Semester, said she spoke with Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins two or three times regarding the coaching vacancy. She and Collins were out of town on separate affairs all last week, and the last time they had discussed the job vacancy was in early May.
Collins said McDonald was one of his four primary candidates for the job, but he informed McDonald at 9:30 a.m. Monday that he would hire Kelly Packard as the new coach.
"I was a little bit in shock," McDonald said. "I didn't feel like it was a sure thing. I knew it could go either way. I just needed some time to let it sink in. I felt a lot of confidence in our talks, but I never fully expected to get the job."
McDonald wasn't the only person surprised with the news. The three seniors on next year's team - captains Kiley Jarrett and Porchia Green and reserve forward Dana Moorman - had all advocated that Tom Collins hire McDonald to replace Roller.
Following Monday's press conference to announce Packard as the new coach, point guard Kiley Jarrett, who will be a senior on next year's squad, said she was impressed with Packard. However, Jarrett said she wasn't expecting the news.
"It's definitely surprising because we were left in the dark a lot - but that's administration," Jarrett said.
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BallState1984
posted 5/15/08 @ 8:09 AM EST
Still say this was a final slap at Tracy Roller.
McDonald was far more qualified for this program than some woman who has not coached in 10 years and was manager to a pro player with questionable ethics. (Continued…)
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