5 potential coaches who could replace former Badger coach Marisa Moseley.

Five Potential Coaches Who Could Replace Former Badger Coach Marisa Moseley

The departure of Marisa Moseley from the Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball program has left a significant void within the university’s athletic community. After a tenure that included some highlights, including steady development and a commitment to building a competitive program, Moseley’s sudden exit has many Badgers fans and college basketball analysts alike wondering who will be the next to take the reins.

Wisconsin, a Big Ten powerhouse with a rich basketball tradition, is one of the most prestigious and storied programs in college athletics. The Badgers are known for their passionate fanbase, the competitive nature of the Big Ten, and their ability to produce outstanding players who have gone on to have successful careers both in the WNBA and international leagues. Whoever the Badgers hire next will need to not only continue the program’s growth but also build upon the foundation that Moseley laid.

The decision to hire the next head coach will be a crucial one for the university. They will need someone with the right combination of experience, leadership, and the ability to recruit at a high level. Moreover, the next coach must be able to connect with the players, recruit top-tier talent, and bring out the best in an already talented roster.

Let’s explore five potential candidates who could replace Marisa Moseley as head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball team.

1. Kelly Graves (Oregon)

Kelly Graves has established himself as one of the premier coaches in women’s college basketball. He has led the University of Oregon Ducks to national prominence, making consistent deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, including a Final Four appearance in 2017. Graves has developed a reputation for his ability to coach both offensively and defensively, balancing a fast-paced style of play with a disciplined, defensive approach.

Graves’ success at Oregon, particularly his ability to recruit top-tier talent, could make him an ideal candidate for Wisconsin. Under his leadership, Oregon has attracted some of the best high school players in the country, including Sabrina Ionescu, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NCAA history. His recruiting prowess would be a major asset to Wisconsin, allowing the Badgers to attract elite talent to a program that competes in one of the most competitive conferences in the country.

Moreover, Graves’ ability to foster a culture of excellence on the court and in the classroom aligns well with Wisconsin’s values. He has consistently developed players not only as basketball athletes but also as people, creating an environment where student-athletes are pushed to reach their full potential both on and off the court.

Given his success in the Pac-12 and his experience at the highest level, Graves would bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the Badgers program. His track record of success and his reputation as a top recruiter could make him an attractive choice for Wisconsin as they look to move forward after Moseley’s departure.

2. Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever Assistant Coach)

Tamika Catchings, a legend in women’s basketball, both at the collegiate and professional levels, has long been considered a rising star in the coaching world. Catchings, who is a four-time WNBA champion and a basketball Hall of Famer, brings with her a wealth of experience in both coaching and playing. She is currently an assistant coach for the Indiana Fever, having transitioned from a legendary playing career into a promising coaching career.

Catchings is widely regarded for her leadership qualities, basketball IQ, and her ability to inspire players to perform at their best. In addition to her success on the court, Catchings has spent time working as a mentor and advocate for youth basketball players, which aligns with Wisconsin’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes.

Given her WNBA background, Catchings would bring a unique perspective to the Badgers program, having played at the highest levels of women’s basketball. She understands the demands of competing at the highest level and could help prepare Wisconsin players for professional careers, should they choose to pursue that route. Moreover, her coaching experience, particularly her work with the Fever, has only further solidified her credentials as someone who can lead a team at the highest level.

Catchings’ potential to recruit high-level talent, her familiarity with the demands of the Big Ten, and her natural leadership ability make her an intriguing option to replace Marisa Moseley. Additionally, her passion for the game and her legacy as a player would likely resonate well with Wisconsin’s players and fans alike.

3. Charli Turner Thorne (Arizona State)

Charli Turner Thorne, the longtime head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils, has consistently been one of the top coaches in women’s college basketball. Over her 25-year tenure at Arizona State, Turner Thorne built the Sun Devils into a perennial NCAA tournament team, consistently competing in the upper tier of the Pac-12 Conference.

Turner Thorne’s experience at Arizona State has demonstrated her ability to build and sustain a winning program in a competitive conference, which is similar to what she would face in the Big Ten. Known for her intense coaching style and focus on defense, Turner Thorne’s teams are disciplined and well-prepared for the demands of high-level competition. Her success at Arizona State, including several NCAA Tournament appearances and multiple Pac-12 titles, makes her an attractive candidate for any program looking to compete on a national level.

Her ability to develop strong defensive teams, her work ethic, and her commitment to excellence on and off the court would all align with the Wisconsin Badgers’ philosophy. Additionally, Turner Thorne has shown an aptitude for developing players and preparing them for professional careers. She has mentored numerous players who have gone on to have successful careers in the WNBA, and her experience in player development would be highly beneficial to Wisconsin’s growing roster.

Turner Thorne has the experience, leadership, and track record of success that could translate well to the Big Ten and the Wisconsin Badgers. Her ability to build a program, recruit top talent, and compete at the highest level make her one of the top candidates for the job.

4. Dawn Staley (South Carolina)

Although Dawn Staley is likely to be one of the most coveted coaching candidates in all of women’s college basketball, her accomplishments at South Carolina would make her an obvious candidate to lead Wisconsin. Under Staley’s leadership, South Carolina has become a juggernaut in women’s basketball, winning multiple national titles and consistently competing at the highest level. Staley’s success has made her one of the most respected figures in the sport, and her ability to recruit elite talent is unparalleled.

However, the biggest challenge with hiring Staley may not be her qualifications or expertise—she has proven herself as one of the best coaches in the country. Instead, it may be her potential commitment to South Carolina, a program that has become synonymous with Staley’s own success. Staley’s success at South Carolina has made it clear that she has no shortage of opportunities, but given the right situation and the right opportunity, Staley could be tempted to make a move.

If she were to be considered for the Wisconsin job, Staley’s ability to build an elite program from the ground up, her commitment to player development, and her ability to consistently recruit among the best would make her an outstanding candidate. Staley’s leadership, knowledge, and extensive experience in the women’s game could be the right fit to elevate Wisconsin’s program to national relevance.

5. Lisa Bluder (Iowa)

Lisa Bluder, the head coach at the University of Iowa, has been a cornerstone of women’s college basketball for years. Since taking over the Iowa Hawkeyes, Bluder has built one of the top programs in the Big Ten. Her ability to develop talent, both offensively and defensively, has made Iowa one of the most consistent programs in the country, and she has established herself as one of the premier coaches in women’s college basketball.

Bluder has led Iowa to numerous NCAA Tournament appearances and has developed multiple All-Americans, including Caitlin Clark, one of the most electrifying players in women’s basketball. Iowa’s offensive system under Bluder has been one of the most potent in the country, and her ability to develop talent in a small market shows that she can thrive even without the big-name recruits that come to programs like those at South Carolina or Stanford.

Bluder’s knowledge of the Big Ten, her commitment to player development, and her ability to adapt her coaching style to suit her team’s strengths make her a solid option to replace Moseley. She understands the competitive nature of the conference and knows what it takes to build a successful program in a challenging environment. Her familiarity with Wisconsin’s recruiting territory and the Big Ten’s dynamics would make her a seamless transition for the Badgers.