With Gail Goestenkors out as Duke's head coach, the obvious question is: Who's next?
Director of Athletics Joe Alleva will lead the search committee that will begin its selection process immediately and hopes to have a new coach in place soon.
"I'm confident we will attract a first-class coach to lead one of the great women's basketball programs in the country," Alleva said in a statement.
The leading candidate appears to be Joanne Boyle, California-Berkely's head coach and a Duke graduate and former assistant coach. A Cal spokesperson said Boyle was "not interested in taking calls about any coaching vacancies," but she has strong ties to Duke and several sources close to the program confirmed she would be at the top of the school's wish list.
Boyle signed a five-year extension with Cal in 2005, and several news sources have reported recently that she has entertained other job offers while discussing another extension to stay with the Golden Bears. Boyle interviewed for Florida's vacancy late last week before heading to the Final Four, but she did not accept the offer to become the Gators' next head coach.
Although Boyle's interest could not be gauged, it is clear that hiring her would please many associated with women's basketball at Duke.
"Frankly I think she'd be an incredible move," said Dr. Henry Friedman, a booster of the Duke program who added that Boyle's mother currently resides in Durham.
Another candidate believed to be on Duke's short list is Katie Meier, Miami's head coach and another former Blue Devil.
"We have to look forward now and search for the best women's basketball coach for Duke University," President Richard Brodhead said in a statement. "Given the success of our program... we are confident that we will attract a coach with excellent leadership skills who fits best into our mission as an athletic department."
Current Duke assistants Gale Valley and Shannon Perry are not expected to be candidates, and assistant coach Tia Jackson has been linked to the vacancy at Washington.
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