It is really unfortunate the pull of coaches for the Olympic team. Staley does not want to do it- that would be ideal. The only current active coaches with >500 wins at the college level in P4 programs are Wes Moore, Fennelly (Iowa State), Mulkey, Mittie (Kansas State), Brenda, Graves (Oregon). None of those need to be the Team USA Coach. Mulkey could be entertaining acting a fool on the world stage. Wes is amongst the greatest coach with lesser overall talent to get results- would probably do a good job with the most talented roster in the world.
You look at the 2024 Olympics staff. Reeves HC- completed her contract. Her other staff? Kara won as a player and had some younger teams win- though anyone with a pulse can guide the U18-21 teams to a title as they are significantly more talented than every single opponent. Won an ACCT as a coach. Joni Taylor as an AC who has yet to win anything meaningful and is on the hot seat at A&M- in 3 years has won just 42% of games and 22% conf games. Mike Thibault was the final AC member- HC of the Mystics up until 2022, but he is 74 and would be 78 at the time of 2028 and is not a viable option.
It is a sad selection of people and very few options at this point.
As for the Duke recruiting, unless they significantly increase NIL funds-- they will not jump up significantly. They have money to land 1 Top 10-12 recruit each year and several in the 25-50 range.
