Baylor Bears women’s basketball coach Nicki Collen expressed frustration with a Washington Post article that suggested Baylor was no longer among the sport’s upper tier following the departure of former coach Kim Mulkey. Collen defended her team’s performance, stating that nothing is withering in Waco and they are still a first-tier team. She highlighted the team’s success in making the Sweet 16 in each of her first three seasons compared to Mulkey only reaching the second round once in her first three seasons at the helm.
Collen’s comments came after a close loss to USC in the Sweet 16, the farthest the team has advanced under her leadership. She encouraged the author of the article to visit Waco and witness the success and growth happening within the program first-hand, citing that there is much to be celebrated and nothing is deteriorating. Collen’s coaching career includes stints with the Atlanta Dream, where she was named the 2018 WNBA Coach of the Year, as well as coaching and playing experience at collegiate levels such as Purdue and Marquette.
Despite the initial criticism from the Washington Post article, Collen remains confident in her team’s abilities and the progress they have made under her leadership. She emphasized that Baylor is a competitive team that has shown resilience and determination in challenging top-seeded opponents, proving that they belong among the best in women’s basketball. Collen’s experience and success in the WNBA and collegiate basketball lend credibility to her vision for the Baylor Bears’ program and her insistence that the team is not in decline.
Collen’s defensive response to the article reflects her commitment to her team and her belief in their potential for continued success. By highlighting the achievements of the Baylor Bears under her leadership and comparing them to Mulkey’s early years, Collen aims to dispel any notion that the program is on a downward trajectory. Her willingness to engage with critics and embrace the challenge of proving them wrong suggests a coach who is determined to elevate her team to new heights and solidify their place among the sport’s elite.
The focus on Collen’s tenure with Baylor and her proven track record in coaching adds context to her remarks and the team’s recent performance. As a successful WNBA Coach of the Year and a former collegiate player, Collen brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role with the Bears. Her ability to motivate and inspire her players, as well as her strategic acumen, have been key factors in Baylor’s success under her guidance, reinforcing her belief in the team’s potential and her commitment to leading them to even greater achievements.
Moving forward, Collen’s determination to prove the doubters wrong and continue building on the progress made by the Baylor Bears reflects a coach who is focused on the future and driven to achieve success at the highest level. With her leadership and the team’s collective effort, Baylor has the opportunity to establish themselves as a dominant force in women’s college basketball and challenge the traditional powerhouses in the sport. Collen’s unwavering belief in her team’s abilities and the positive trajectory of the program bodes well for the Bears’ prospects and indicates that nothing is “withering in Waco,” but rather blooming with potential and promise.
