Marian Washington made a snap decision last week but, she says, not a hasty one.
Washington, Kansas’ women’s basketball coach the past 20 seasons, was contacted by Southern California about its head coaching job. She told USC she was flattered but not interested.
“I feel KU has been a program I’ve put in a lifetime of commitment to,” Washington said. “It would take something very, very special to leave.”
USC coach Marianne Stanley isn’t expected to be awarded a new contract. Stanley filed an $8 million sex discrimination suit against the university, seeking equal pay with men’s basketball coach George Raveling.
“USC HAS HAD some unbelievable years,” Washington said. “I know a lot about their program. I certainly expressed my appreciation for their consideration. There are some programs that are going to raise your eyebrows.”
And USC is one of them, Washington acknowledged.
“There are some programs that it’s flattering that they would think about you,” Washington said.
But she admitted it’s not the first time another program has thought about her.
“It’s not the first time I’ve been contacted,” she said, but added, “I’ve never been interested in other institutions.”
Kansas, under Washington, has posted at least 20 victories in four consecutive seasons and in six of the last seven.
Washington has a record of 368-225 at Kansas. The Jayhawks went 21-9 last season, which included the Big Eight Tourament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
SOUTHERN CAL contacted Washington last Tuesday.
“I decided two days later,” she said. “I think they were very serious. It was something I did not want to pursue. It was important as far as the timing was concerned to let them know as soon as possible.”
That was important from Kansas’ standpoint, Washington said, as well as Southern Cal’s.
“When you’re recruiting, people can use it against you,” she said. “I don’t want the notion out there that I was making a move, unless it was a fact. It’s just something I didn’t feel I wanted to do, and I didn’t pursue it.”
