SPORTS
KANSAN.COM
Schneider sees hope for improvement in second year
▶ DYLAN SHERWOOD
@dsherwoodku
After last season, Kansas women's basketball coach Brandon
bain coach Brandon Schneider knew the team would take time to rebuild. Although the program had gone to consecutive Sweet Sixteens in both 2011 and 2012, the team had below.500 records from 2013-15.
However, even after a dismal 6-25 season last year, the second-year coach has seen improvement with the addition of key transfers who are now eligible for the 2016-17
season.
Schneider now has a different viewpoint than last season.
"I just think in terms of our roster immediately when you look at it, we've made some changes and feel like it's going to give us the ability to look a little bit different out on the court," Schneider said.
Even with Lauren Aldridge deciding to transfer from the program back in March, Schneider is returning many players, including junior guard Jessica Washington and sophomore guard
McKenzie Calvert, both of whom sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.
"They will definitely have an immediate impact on
However, Schneider is also seeking to build leadership through the addition of graduate transfers Sydney Umeri and Lisa Blair and junior college transfer Eboni Watts.
Senior forward Jada Brown said that she thinks both Washington and Calvert on the court with the players like senior forward Caelynn Manning-Allen will provide a new look for the team.
We are working together and finally meshing in seeing eye-to-eye on the court."
the offensive and defensive ends," Brown said. "Jess being the point guard, she'll have a vocal leadership role on this team and McKenzie is an all-around vocal person on and off-the court; she'll have a leadership role as well."
Caelynn Manning-Allen senior forward
When Schneider arrived in Lawrence, he wanted to focus on relationships among players and coaches.
Manning-Allen said she agrees that the team chemistry has changed.
"It takes time to cultivate those," Schneider said. "To me it's all about relationships."
"We are happy. We are working together and finally meshing in seeing eye-to-eye on the court," Manning-Allen said. "Late in the season we saw improvement and we are just working off that."
Even with a down season
in year one, Schneider said he knows he can turn things around.
"It's about energy," Schneider said. "This community loves basketball and even when we struggled a year ago to play the way we wanted to on the court, the fans just continued to come out and support us. I think bright things are ahead."
Schneider and his team will finish up summer workouts this month, before a 10day trip to Europe in August before school begins.
Caroline Fiss/KANSAN
Aaron Miles walks with Jamari Traylor off the court. Miles will be leaving Kansas for Florida Gulf Coast.
Aaron Miles named assistant coach at Florida Gulf Coast
► DYLAN SHERWOOD
@dsherwoodku
"I want to thank Coach Dooley for this great opportunity," Miles said in the
Aaron Miles, a former Kansas player and current assistant director of student athlete development, is leaving Lawrence. Miles will join former Kansas assistant coach Joe Dooley at Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Fla., according to a KU Athletics release.
release."I'm also very grateful and appreciative of the Kansas staff, players and in particular head coach Bill Self for allowing me to learn from them the past year and helping prepare me for this position."
Miles played at Kansas under both Bill Self and Roy Williams from 2002-05 and started all four years. According to the release, Miles holds the Kansas and Big 12 records in assists during his four-year career with 954
Miles played in consecutive NCAA Final Fours in 2002 and 2003. He was also a All-Big 12 selection his last three years, receiving honorable mention as a sophomore, third team honors as a junior and second team honors as a senior.
assists.
Miles will begin his duties at Florida Gulf Coast on Monday, according to a FGCU Athletics release.
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