WACO, Texas — Nicki Collen didn’t have time to reflect on her first season as Baylor’s coach.
Instead, after a surprising second-round loss to South Dakota in the Bears’ 18th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the whirlwind that is college basketball took over. Recruiting. Raiding the transfer portal. More recruiting. Home visits. Phone calls. A little family time, then preparation for the new season.
“I went right from the season into recruiting, chasing players in the transfer portal,” she said. “We had a stretch of four visits in six days. And you go right from that, then you get the players in school and you really just kind of press forward. It’s on to the next thing. There was not really much down time, but I did get to spend a little time with my family. I was able to go home and be mom.”
Even her year-end review was delayed, taking place just a few weeks ago. It was finally in that moment that Collen reflected “a little bit” on her first season at the helm of a storied program, taking over from Kim Mulkey’s two-decade reign that produced 12 Big 12 titles, four Final Four appearances and three national championships.
“I am proud,” Collen said. “I think the job was harder than I ever anticipated it would be, so I am proud of how we…
