In the high-stakes world of college basketball coaching searches, sometimes you have to dream big. Rutgers University is now at the center of one of those dreams, as the school officially parted ways with women's basketball coach Coquese Washington after four seasons. Athletic Director Keli Zinn announced the move Monday, immediately sparking the question: who's next for the Scarlet Knights?
A Program Looking to Reclaim Glory
Rutgers women's basketball carries a legacy of success, and the administration is determined to revive it. "Rutgers women's basketball has a proud and storied history of success and there is no reason why our program cannot return to its place among the nation's elite," Zinn stated. She highlighted the school's investment, its membership in the powerhouse Big Ten Conference, and a dedicated fanbase as key assets for the next leader.
While the search will consider a wide range of qualified candidates, one intriguing report has thrown two monumental names into the speculative mix—names that would represent the ultimate home run hires.
The Ultimate 'Hail Mary' Scenarios
According to analysis from NJ Advance Media's Brian Fonseca, Rutgers could, in theory, look toward the very summit of the coaching profession. The names floated are none other than Kim Mulkey of LSU and Dawn Staley of South Carolina. Labeling them as "Hail Mary" candidates perfectly captures the near-impossible nature of such pursuits, but it underscores the caliber of coach Rutgers aspires to attract.
Both Mulkey and Staley are not just currently employed; they are icons firmly planted at the pinnacle of their careers. Mulkey, a Hall of Famer, has built a dynasty at LSU, winning a national championship in 2023. Staley has constructed a modern-day empire at South Carolina, leading the Gamecocks to multiple national titles and establishing them as the sport's preeminent program.
Why the Fit—And Why It's a Fantasy
The connections, while tenuous, exist. Fonseca notes that Rutgers AD Keli Zinn and University President William Tate previously worked at LSU and are intimately familiar with Mulkey's legendary success there. However, Mulkey now holds one of the most lucrative contracts in the sport, making a move seem highly improbable.
The link to Dawn Staley is rooted in geography and respect. A Philadelphia native, Staley was a close friend of former Rutgers legend C. Vivian Stringer. "Of course, Rutgers should send out feelers," Fonseca suggested, while immediately tempering expectations. Staley signed a massive extension in early 2025 that will pay her an average of over $4 million annually through 2030, cementing her status as the highest-paid coach in women's college basketball.
Fonseca summed up the reality for both scenarios: it would require "an unprecedented series of events (and financial commitment)" for Rutgers to have a real shot. The financial hurdles alone are staggering, not to mention convincing a coach to leave a thriving, championship-ready program for a rebuild.
The Practical Path Forward
So, if the top-tier fantasy picks are off the board, where does Rutgers turn? The search will likely focus on established head coaches at mid-major programs or top assistants from elite teams who are ready for a premier conference challenge. The goal is clear: find a leader who can harness the program's rich history, its Big Ten platform, and passionate support to restore Rutgers as a consistent NCAA Tournament contender and national threat.
While the mention of Mulkey and Staley is fun fodder for message boards and sports talk shows, it serves more as a benchmark for ambition than a realistic roadmap. Rutgers' next coach probably won't be a household name with multiple championship rings—but the administration's willingness to let imaginations run wild signals they are aiming for a significant upgrade. The coaching carousel has begun to spin, and all eyes are on Piscataway to see where it stops.
