Wbb '22-23

[Lobot]

Jada and Jadyn Scott have transferred up the road to Miami as grad transfers per Miami U.

[GoBearcats31]

Clark-Heard joining Mississippi State's staff in what appears to be a non-coaching position

https://247sports.com/college/mississippi-state/Article/Mississippi-State-womens-basketball-hires-Michelle-Clark-Heard-Cincinnati-Western-Kentucky--210387921/

[GoBearcats31]

We have hired Katrina Merriweather, who was previously at Memphis as HC. Katrina is a UC alumni and former player.

Some staff additions

Ashley Barlow, assistant coach coming from Memphis
Abby Jump, assistant coach coming from Memphis (NKY native)
Kabrina Merriweather, assistant coach -- and sister -- coming from Memphis
Michal Miller, director of player personnel coming from Memphis (was video coordinator there)

[GoBearcats31]

Via Justin Williams:

-6-yr, $3.15 mil deal
-Deal starts at $500k in Yr1, up to $550k in Yr6 (2028-29)
-Staff salary pool starts at $650k, up to $700k; Increased investment over prev regime
-Cincinnati agreed to pay $250k buyout to Memphis

See his Twitter for more (e.g. screenshots)

[GoBearcats31]

Introductory press conference streaming live at noon - wonder if she will be "fired up"

https://twitter.com/GoBEARCATS/status/1640724974141931521?cxt=HHwWgoC8nfmqg8UtAAAA

[Bearcatdave72]

By all accounts seems to be a fantastic hire.

[Lobot]

Odd timing that we were talking about Pirtle being the last generally successful coach here and then Cunningham goes out and hires one of her formers players.

[bearcatjd]

She sounds like a great hire for WBB!

[GoBearcats31]

Official

https://gobearcats.com/news/2023/3/25/womens-basketball-welcome-home-cincinnati-hires-katrina-merriweather-as-next-womens-basketball-head-coach.aspx

[bearcatbret]

Here is an article confirming the hire. On a sad note, one of the Memphis players has been charged with assault by Bowling Green Police due to an incident in the post-game handshake line. Memphis women's basketball coach Katrina Merriweather expected to be hired at Cincinnati (yahoo.com)

[Lobot]

We have hired Katrina Merriweather, who was previously at Memphis as HC. Katrina is a UC alumni and former player.

[swilsonsp4]

Here is Laurie Pirtle's coaching history. She had a long career at UC, with a 310-301 record. Her Cats went to the NCAA Tourney four times. She did get to coach two seasons in the Big East before Mike Thomas relieved her. She didn't have postgame radio commitments, so he didn't have to pull the plug on her microphone.

Laurie Pirtle Coaching Record | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

[bba_1979]

Not true - Laurie Pirtle

She was pushed our when we made the move to the Big East. No success after Pirtle left.

You're right and I owe apologies to Laurie Pirtle. I had completely forgotten about her time as HC at UC. Thanks for the reminder cpawstoney!

[cpawstoney]

Well, UC has never been able to recruit good WBB players to the program. It really doesn't matter who the coach is - they need players. I want WBB to succeed. Just as I want all UC sports programs to succeed. Heading to the Big12, we have some work to do. Womens Tennis got 3 very highly rated recruits who are now freshmen. No results yet. Baseball...today's beat down of XU was great, but overall still not there. Was great for the success of T&F. Wish we could stumble across a few more like Jordan Thompson.

Am I asking for too much?

What do we as fans do, or can we do, to help other than donations? I realize that UC will not win everything every year. I just want to see us being competitive. Is that asking too much?

Not true - Laurie Pirtle

She was pushed our when we made the move to the Big East. No success after Pirtle left.

[Lobot]

I think with WBB you have to change the recruiting game. To do that, the fans needs to invest in the program so that can take place. That said, If you hire someone without good recruiting connections, the investment won't matter much. You almost need a big splash hire to get things rolling. That big splash hire needs one really good player to stay home like Jillian Hayes did for Clark-Heard to start the ball rolling.

The roster needs an immediate upgrade for the Big XII and it would be great if we had a coach in place before the transfer portal completely goes crazy.