Texas basketball coach laments transfer portal after Iowa State mass exodus
Texas coach Vic Schaefer got emotional discussing Iowa State's Bill Fennelly and his large number of players lost to the transfer portal.
PHOENIX ― Texas women's basketball coach Vic Schaefer could barely speak when he was recently asked about Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly and the mass exodus he's experiencing with his program. On Thursday, Cyclones center Audi Crooks announced her intention to enter the transfer portal. Crooks' departure marked the 10th Iowa State player to reveal they will be leaving the team to pursue other options.
A large number of players switching teams isn't uncommon in the transfer portal era, but Fennelly's program has been hit particularly hard in recent days. When Schaefer was asked about what Fennelly is experiencing from a coach's perspective, he paused, shaking his head and rubbing his hands together, deep in thought and visibly emotional. Eventually, he gave a heartfelt response to on-site media in the room ahead of Texas' Final Four matchup on Friday against UCLA (9:30 p.
m. ET, ESPN). "I mean, you're talking about somebody that's literally given his life to this game.
It is hard. I'm obviously friends with Bill. His whole family has given so much to this game, to so many young women," said Schaefer.