New coach - Alisa Kresge

Welcome Coach! 98-40 record at Vermont her last 4 years. Her top priority is keeping Sweeney and the incoming freshmen class (at least Fontana and Gribble). All of Vermont’s best players were seniors so I don’t think they’re will be many players coach kresge will want to recruit to bring here.

Glad we followed the recommendation I had (which is not earth shattering) of getting a young (she’s 41), up-and-coming head coach who had great success at a lower D1 school. Hopefully she can build off her success and our success with more resources.
 
I'm pretty sure she'll be bringing one of her current assistants with her - her husband Will Lanier.

I like the fact that that as a player for Marist, her team made the Sweet 16. And of all the names that had been floated - and were apparently available - her coaching profile looks like a great fit.

One other thing I noticed was Vermont's roster had a couple of Canadians and a player from Latvia so it appears she has some international connections.
 
A closer comparison to her and Roussell:

Teams as head coach:
Roussell - U Chicago & Bucknell
Kresge - Vermont

Head Coach record at the D1 school before Richmond:
Roussell - 67.7% a 151-72 record. 73.8% conference wining percentage at a 90-32 conference record.
Kresge - 62% a 145-89 record. 68.3% conference winning percentage at 82-38 conference record.

Head coaching record last 4 seasons at school.
Roussell - 102-30 or 77%
Kresge - 98-40 or 71%

Team accolades:
Roussell - 3x regular season titles and 2x tournament titles at Patriot League. 2 NCAAs with 0-2 record.
Kresge - 2x regular season titles and 3x tournament titles at American East. 3 NCAAs with 0-3 record

Individual accolades:
Roussell - 2x PL Coach of the year
Kresge - 2x AE Coach of the year

Age when taking Richmond job:
Roussell: 38 or 39
Kresge: 41
 
I am guessing we’re going to be paying Kresge less than what we would’ve had Roussell stayed, but the salary will still be a significant increase from Vermont. Hopefully the money saved towards salary can go towards the women’s NIL.
 
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Glad the Spiders were able to get a coach in short order. Obviously, this means Kresge was near the top of the list. Appears that the tweet was accurate and she was one of the best options on that list per Forum review.

Now the hard part comes, getting the roster set for next year. Hopefully there is still lots to like regarding playing at Richmond and many from the young core decide to stay. Go Spiders!
 
I am guessing we’re going to be paying Kresge less than what we would’ve had Roussell stayed, but the salary will still be a significant increase from Vermont. Hopefully the money saved towards salary can go towards the women’s NIL.
  • Base Salary (2025-26): Reported at $250,000, representing a significant increase from her initial 2019 contract.
  • Previous Salary (2022-23): Approximately $156,565 with a 3% annual raise.
  • Bonuses (2022-23): $20,000 for America East regular-season title, $10,000 for tournament championship game, $30,000 retention bonus.
 
Now the hard part comes, getting the roster set for next year. Hopefully there is still lots to like regarding playing at Richmond and many from the young core decide to stay. Go Spiders!
Tough spot for the new coach this year with a very late start on the portal and a roster in need of some infusion. Lots of players already know what they are doing and most others are deep in the process. Not to mention that a new coach just has less to sell about Richmond and the program in a situation like this than Rousell would have (and maybe less NIL too!). Very rough spot portal wise.

I think she should really focus on the incoming class and the current roster - - much easier sell as all she has to convince them of is that she can continue what we were doing etc and these folks have already bought in to Richmond and what we were doing. Much easier sell to keep than to get. But will make next year tough probably!
 
Interesting how little chatter here...seems like a good hire, but perhaps we all know what could have been with Aaron. Anything is likely a step-down and a forced multi-year rebuild, but I hope she can pick up the pieces quickly. I expect she will do ok, but time is of the essence in order to keep the train moving and achieve the next level.
 
I'm with the crowd that says reload in your coaching - it shows your program is very healthy when P4 schools will overpay for your coach. There are coaches galore. Find the next great one.***

As much as the long-tenured coach is an ideal, having great coaches as they are growing and hungry and actively covet the highest level (a championship) is a very good spot to be in. We were once there with our men's coach, but we see what happened when it got stagnant.

With the up and comers, you might be able to catch lightning in a bottle in the right circumstances.

***do I trust Hardt to be able to consistently do this across the men's and women's programs every 3-4 years? No, zero percent. But fully willing to give this new coach total benefit of the doubt.
 
Hmm. I beg to differ with Moon. I don't think he ever had much ambition. Sure, he prefers to win than lose, but that's about it. Even after the Sweet 16 run, he said something like if we're lucky enough to ever get here again...

I knew then in the back of my mind we were in for the shitshow we're in now...
 
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