She came to UD amidst a great deal of hoopla. She came after taking the Bowling Green Falcons to the NCAA Tournament two times in her seven years at the school. She was named the WBCA District 4 Coach of the Year for 1998. She was going to take UD to places that we had never seen before. She was going to take UD to the NCAA Tournament.

Jaci Clack gave it her best, but she never got UD where it wanted to go. The best she could accomplish was a one and out trip to the WNIT. This was not what Jaci Clark wanted. This is not what the administration wanted. As a result, Clack announced her resignation on March 21.

“I would like to thank the University for providing me the opportunity to coach at Dayton. I greatly appreciate the players over the past five years who have given their efforts and talents in gaining the improvement this program has achieved. I want to personally thank my coaching and support staff for their dedication and hard work over the past five seasons. I want to wish all the players and the administration continued success over the coming years.”

That is how one of the hardest working coaches Dayton has ever seen called it quits. With her departure, one has to wonder what is in store for the woman’s program at UD. Attendance has been up as the University has done it’s best to put fannies in the seats, yet the winning was not there.

In many ways, Clark had to follow the same road that Oliver Purnell found when he arrived at UD. Although Purnell’s road was probably more difficult, the previous five seasons before Clark’s arrival found the Flyers with a combined 43-92 for a .318 winning percentage. Purnell, on the other hand had to follow up Jim O’Brien’s five year record of 61-87 with a .412 winning percentage, but only 10-47, .175 during the last two years.

Bottom line, after five years they were on an even plane. They both had years that were a disaster because of injuries. They both made it to the NIT once and neither team seemed poised take the next step. However, it was immediately after this five-year period that the men’s program took off. In the next four years, the men won 89 games and had four post-season appearances. In the case of the women, there is no reason to believe that this is a real possibility without changes.

This was to be the year that the Flyer women were going to have a big season. The Women’s Regionals are to take place in the Arena. It was their opportunity to shine and to be able to play in front of a home crowd. Several seniors were going to return from injuries. Seven starters from the past two seasons were to be available for Clark to use as she saw fit. The women were finally going to get an equal share of the spotlight.

The season started off on several high notes and the 8-2 Flyers found themselves riding a six game winning streak with number 11 Minnesota coming to the Arena. They were receiving votes in both the AP and Coach’s Polls and were poised to jump into the Top 25 for the first time with a victory over the Golden Gophers. It was not to be, however, and Minnesota easily won 83-64.

That started a downward spiral that found the women losing on a regular basis for the rest of the season. The remainder of the season found a frustrated Jaci Clack with her head down without an explanation as to how to fix the mess. It reached such a point that she didn’t even start all seniors on Senior Day. She probably knew at that point that she was nearing the end.

With two years left on her contract, Clark decided to step down. This was a woman that loved her job and loved working with young people. She knew it was time to move on. Did she have some help from UD in making that decision? Only she and the administration know that and frankly it is none of our business. Jaci Clack did not succeed when five years ago she knew for sure that she would.

X’s and O’s were not the problem. Jaci Clark knows how to coach a game. Where she seemed to fall short centered on the ability to bring in top-notch athletes. Although she had some successes, her inability to snag the local talent certainly led to her downfall. The following are players that she had in her sights that decided to go elsewhere:

Brandi Hoskins, Chaminade-Julienne – Ohio State (McDonald’s All American)
Alicia Bales, Beavercreek – Duke (McDonald’s All American)
Tiffanie Guthrie, Trotwood Madison – Illinois (Three Time All-State)
Megan Duffy, CJ – Notre Dame (Twice High Mention All America, Four Time All-State)
Lindsey Hicks, Lebanon – Purdue (4th Team Parade All American)

If one or two of these young ladies would have come to UD, Clark might still have a job.

The University of Dayton is not satisfied with where they are in the world of women’s basketball. Jaci Clack got UD to the level of respectability but she couldn’t get us to that “next level” that everyone talks about. It is Ted Kissell and a handful of others that will be faced with the decision of how to get the program over this perceived hump.

In speaking with Kissell, he made it quite clear that he would be looking for the best person for the job, “We will be looking at top assistants from major college powers in addition to up and coming coaches from schools that do not have the affiliation of a conference the level of the A-10. We feel we have everything in place to have an outstanding Woman’s Program here. Finding the right coach is the next step.”

They will be looking for someone that has experienced all aspects of college coaching including recruiting. He acknowledged that there were some excellent high school coaches in the area, but felt that the primary focus would be with college coaches.

UD has never had a man coach the women, but it is hard to argue with the success that Geno Auriemma has had at Connecticut or Harry Perretta at Villanova. Kissell is all about winning and he will take the best man/woman standing. It is time for the Woman’s Program at UD to take advantage of what the University and facilities offer. As Charlie Robinson used to say, “It’s time!”