Can a non-Power Five school survive a major coaching shakeup?

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May 15, 2016
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I guess I am really asking are there examples of a perennial strong mid-major school who continued to be strong after the long time head coach and assistant head coach leave in a very short period of time?
 
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Nov 18, 2013
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Not sure what the difference would be between the mid-majors and P5's in this aspect?

James Madison had a great year and they lost their coach and one of the best pitchers in the country. Louisiana Lafayette is another good example. There really aren't many (any?) other perennial strong mid majors. Very few perennial P5's too for that matter.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
Not sure what the difference would be between the mid-majors and P5's in this aspect?

I would think it would be easier to get a top coach to come in at a P5 than it would be at a mid-major. If a mid-major cannot attract a top coach I would imagine its days as a perennially strong school are numbered.

James Madison had a great year and they lost their coach and one of the best pitchers in the country. Louisiana Lafayette is another good example. There really aren't many (any?) other perennial strong mid majors. Very few perennial P5's too for that matter.

James Madison elevated LaPorte from the assistant coaches position, I assume she knew Dean's system well. Also I am thinking long-term. With the roster Dean had established over the past few years, I would think they would do well the year after he left almost by default.
 
Jun 29, 2013
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Yes, it is much easier for a power 5 school to replace a coach in softball as in every other sport. But there aren't any guarantees. See Nebraska in football and Tennessee in women's basketball for two examples
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
There really aren't many (any?) other perennial strong mid majors. Very few perennial P5's too for that matter.
.

If a mid-major was ranked within the top 40 RPI for eight of the past twelve years, and having 26 NCAA Tournament victories over 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, I would think it would be fair to say that school is a strong program as mid-majors go. Clearly not on the level of a P5 school, but definitely respectable.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
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If a mid-major was ranked within the top 40 RPI for eight of the past twelve years, and having 26 NCAA Tournament victories over 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, I would think it would be fair to say that school is a strong program as mid-majors go. Clearly not on the level of a P5 school, but definitely respectable.

That’s more than respectable. I don’t know which school you’re referring too, but that’s obviously a very strong program and better than most P5 schools.

You’re vastly overestimating the importance of P5. They do have several advantages to mid majors and in general play a higher caliber of softball. However most are not perennial softball powers or even make the tourney on a regular basis. There’s countless mid majors that are every bit as good and better than the vast majority of P5’s.
 

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