MHCC posts ad for new women’s basketball coach

MHCC is looking for a new women’s basketball coach to succeed Jocelyn McIntire, according to a craigslist ad posted by the college on March 22.

The position is listed as part-time.

Looking back on the Lady Saints’ recent history, the team has been through a lot. Two years ago (at the end of the 2010-2011 season), six-year head coach Larry Davis resigned for personal reasons that included availability for other potential work soon after it was found that Davis had sent unofficial intent (recruiting) letters to some prospective players. The team was penalized for the rules violation, then conducted a national search to find a new coach, McIntire.

McIntire has led the Saints the past two seasons. According to sophomore guard Sadie Jenks, “Coach McIntire knows the game very well. She does have her own style of coaching, as does every coach, but I think it was hard for some people to buy into her system and believe in it.”

McIntire arrived with a lot of basketball experience – both playing and coaching – and she had high hopes for the things she would accomplish with the team. In October of 2011 The Advocate released an article on McIntire’s arrival where she stated that she wanted to establish the program and eventually make playoffs which would soon prove to be quite difficult.

The team this past year was still developing with a coach who was only in her second season at MHCC and ten out of fifteen players being freshmen, which could have led to the team’s efforts to fall short of the post season with a 2-25 record.

McIntire’s reasons for leaving are still unclear at this point but according to the MHCC athletic director, Kim Hyatt, the transition into next year should be a smooth one.

The fact that this coaching title is not claimed by anyone for the 2013-2014 season could present some possible risks but the administration and the team are staying positive through yet again another national search.

“It is very possible that a change in our coaching staff will affect our recruiting but we are continuing to stay in contact with potential recruits and as I mentioned earlier we are trying to get the best person hired as soon as we can to minimize any negative effects,” said Hyatt.

Even with McIntire’s resignation, the team is hopeful for the future and can look forward to continuing on with a year of experience under their belt. Jenks, who will be graduating this June, agrees with Hyatt about change being productive.

“With the way things were going, I believe that the team could benefit from a change. It can be hard playing for a new coach but with the upcoming sophomores I think they will adjust well with whoever is chosen [for the position],” Jenks said.