Kate Achter to head Titans WBB program
May 3, 2022 12:57:26 GMT -5
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motorcitysam likes this
Post by Deleted on May 3, 2022 12:57:26 GMT -5
Nice opportunity to hear from the new coach this morning on the 45 minute Zoom call. Achter was poised, articulate, friendly throughout, I think the young coach will connect well with recruits and the Titan fan base.
She grew up in the Toledo area, family still lives there (staying with them in the short term). Her immediate focus seems to be meeting with the current players. Wants players to stay, not looking to push anybody out. Understands the realities of the transfer portal but preference is to recruit high school players who will stick around, only way to build a team culture. Mentioned our HS commit from West Bloomfield and my sense was she was still in the fold. Also referenced the Spaniard players, sounded like they want to stay.
Currently engaged in putting together a staff. Indicated one of the assistants from Loyola would likely be selected, going through the HR process now. Wants to add an assistant with ties to the Detroit area. Someone mentioned the Toledo high schools joining the Detroit Catholic League, she was familiar with that and said that might open additional recruiting inroads. Wants to have an elite camp in the summer as a way to develop local connections and build relationships with potential recruits.
She has coaching in her bloodlines, coached by dad in high school. Grandfather was a CYO coach.
Somebody asked if she would bring Sister Jean along from Loyola. She laughed and said the nun was too fragile to travel from Chicago. It was mentioned that we have the equivalent in our own Fr. Cavanagh and she looks forward to meeting him.
Dan Kennedy said it was important for her to be at the Titan Golf Outing in August and she said would be there, a golfer herself she perhaps would bring a foursome from Toledo.
Wants to see immediate progress in wins next season of course but thought realistically it might be year-three before things mesh as the staff, roster, and culture come together. Sounds like she came to the interview in Detroit with a PowerPoint presentation that outlined a five-year plan for developing the Titan program.
Seemed knowledgeable about the Horizon League, mentioned IUPUI and Green Bay as the better WBB programs. Talked about scheduling, apparently next year’s is pretty set. Michigan State is an opponent, said Michigan was interested in a match. Said it was important to get more home games, appears she understands the dangers of over scheduling especially with a developing team.
She said she prefers a ball screen, more controlled offense, stressed the importance of defense. Not locked into a specific style of play, more important that things mesh with the skill sets of our roster.
Vowels was on the call. Sounded like the decision to go in a new direction wasn’t finalized until the season was over. There were more than a hundred inquiries regarding the position, four finalists identified, things moved quickly in the span of a couple weeks. He complimented the search committee for their efforts.
Sounds like there's a lot of positives here. Thanks for posting