University of Minnesota Women's Athletics Director Chris Voelz says a head coaching change won't end the success the women's basketball team experienced this past season. Brenda Oldfield announced Tuesday she's leaving the team she helped turn around after one season to become the new coach at the University of Maryland. Voelz and several Gopher players say they're disappointed but will carry on without Oldfield.

	"I feel confident that we can hire a new coach and not skip a beat," said U of M Women's Athletics Director Chris Voelz. Listen to her entire news conference. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

When Brenda Oldfield came to the University of Minnesota a year ago from Ball State University, she inherited a team that went 8-20 the previous season under former coach Cheryl Littlejohn. This year, the Golden Gophers posted a 22-8 record, tied for second place in the Big Ten and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Oldfield was named Big Ten Coach of the Year and won National Coach of the Year honors from the Associated Press.

Women's Athletics Director Chris Voelz says she wasn't surprised Oldfield got job offers but was disappointed she took one. "You know I'm an optimist. And so up until the last minute I was hopeful that given the great team that was coming back and the wonderful community and the support and our evidence of a commitment here for national program would really keep her here," she said.

Voelz says the university was offering Oldfield a pay increase that would have placed her among the top 20 coaches in the nation. She earned $130,000 this year. University of Maryland officials say Oldfield's six-year contract will guarantee her $275,000 a year.

Voelz says Oldfield told her money was not the reason for leaving: "She said that there were three things. One was weather and one was facilities and one was a talent base that she thought could not win a national championship."

Voelz denies suggestions that she had a poor relationship with Oldfield.

	Freshman Janel McCarville said she is sad about the change, but optimistic about the future. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

Gopher players say they were shocked and saddened at the news of their coach's decision to leave Minnesota. They also appear united in keeping the program strong through another coaching change.

Center Janel McCarville, who was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, remains upbeat about the future. "As of now, I'm a Golden Gopher for the next three years," she said. "They did a heck of a job finding Brenda and I'm sure they'll do another heck of a job with the season we had they'll be able to get a heck of a coach in here."

Sophomore forward Kadidja Andersson, who came to the university from Sweden, says this setback will bring an already tight group even closer. She says the team will have a point to make next season.

"I know that everybody is ready to prove that it's not all about the coaches." Andersson said. "It's still the players that play out there every single game. I know we're ready to go."

But a second coaching change in two years could affect recruiting efforts. One top recruit, Eden Prairie's Christina Collison, says she feels hurt by Oldfield's departure, but she says that won't change commitment to attend the U of M.

	U of M Vice President and Chief of Staff Tonya Moten Brown has recommended an overhaul of university's athletics department. She was also part of negotiations with Oldfield. She joined MPR's Midday on Apr. 3, 2002. Listen online. (MPR file photo)

"I wouldn't really want to go anywhere else. I'm excited to play with those guys," Collison said. "I'm excited to play in front of friends and family in Minnesota. They get great support and it's a great school. I'm just really disappointed that she made that decision, but I mean there's no other school I'd want to go to."

University officials are hoping that kind of player commitment will help attract top candidates for their women's basketball coaching vacancy. Chris Voelz says there is already significant interest in the job, but wouldn't offer details.

Voelz downplayed the impact of possible NCAA sanctions might have on the search. Oldfield's predecessor, Cheryl Littlejohn, is accused of paying money to a former player, holding unapproved practices and interfering with the university investigation. The NCAA infractions committee is scheduled to consider the case April 13.

University of Minnesota athletics department Web site