6:00: Morning News

Coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s Ignominious Departure

Dawn Plitzuweit makes a great first impression.

Her tenure in Morgantown as coach of the WVU women’s basketball team began one year ago this month with her winning the press conference—cogent and confident answers to questions, an apparent genuine appreciation of the job, a beaming smile.

Plitzuweit followed up with a successful first season, winning 19 games—including two over Big 12 powerhouse Baylor—and gaining an NCAA Tournament bid.  Along the way she worked to build a family atmosphere around the team and generate more fan interest.

Everything seemed to be going great… until it wasn’t.

The news last week that Plitzuweit was leaving to take the Minnesota job stunned. Athletic Director Wren Baker was high on Plitzuweit and made sure she knew the University would commit to what she needed to be successful.

Reportedly, Plitzuweit wanted to wait until the season was over to have those discussions. Normally that would be a reasonable request, except apparently the coach already had one foot out the door.

Members of the Mountaineer women’s team found out about the coach’s departure on Twitter as they rode back on the bus from College Park, Maryland, after losing a first round game to Arizona. Notably, Plitzuweit was not on the bus with the team.

While Baker was waiting until the season’s end to talk about needs for the program—as Plitzuweit had requested—the coach was cutting her new deal with Minnesota. “I was a little surprised, just because it’s rare to lose a coach after one year,” said Baker. 

Baker alluded to Plitzuweit’s desire to get back to the Midwest, closer to home and her family. One or more family members have some health issues. That is understandable, and individuals are free to make their life choices.

However, she handled her departure poorly, first by stringing Baker along and then by hastily departing without even releasing a statement. She did not mention WVU during her introductory press conference at Minnesota until asked by a reporter about her short stay.

Most disappointing of all is that Plitzuweit sold the family atmosphere to the Mountaineer program. She no doubt worked to retain players who were tempted by the transfer portal… and then hit the portal herself while the players were recovering from a disappointing loss.

Plitzuweit was introduced at Minnesota Monday. She nailed the press conference with her intelligence, energy and enthusiasm. She said all the right things. She made a great first impression, just as she did in Morgantown one year ago.

It is disappointing Plitzuweit did not stick around for Mountaineer fans to see a second act, or even long enough for a respectful goodbye.

 

 

 

 





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