The former Minnesota Lynx great’s contract to be head coch at the University of Minnesota was supposed to last until 2023. Apparently, the U of M Board of Regents likes what Lindsay Whalen has done with the program and extended her deal.
Whalen’s deal with the Golden Gophers now lasts through 2024 to be head coach at its women’s basketball program.
Her time as coach at University of Minnesota has had its fair share of highs and lows. In her first year, the team posted a 21-11 season plus a 9-9 record in the Big Ten Conference. Minnesota earned a berth to the Women’s NIT where the Gophers got eliminated in the second round by Cincinnati.
This year, Minnesota hopes to be one of the 64 teams selected to the NCAA tournament. The Gophers are 15-11, but its Achilles heel has been its in-conference record … 5-10. Starting with a Dec. 31 game vs. Ohio State, Minnesota has lost 10 of its last 14 games which cannot be helping the Gophers’ standing with the selection committee.
Whalen has also had to deal with a situation involving Destiny Pitts – Minnesota’s leading scorer. Pitts says she received an indefinite suspension from the team because of body language used in a game against Big Ten rival Northwestern – one that the Gophers lost 56-54 and Pitts scored 11 points and collected six rebounds.
Happy to have you back @14Sugar! pic.twitter.com/12RUybEOTB
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) February 18, 2020
As a result of the suspension, Pitts announced her intention to transfer from Minnesota. She averaged over 16 points per game prior to her punishment.
I wish Coach Whalen and her staff nothing but the best. pic.twitter.com/8eEpkfeKNG
— Destiny Pitts (@desip33) January 16, 2020
Charlie Creme’s latest women’s bracketology prognostication at ESPN.com has eight Big Ten teams advancing to the big dance, but Minnesota is not one of those teams he sees heading to March Madness.
