A day after Minnesota’s women’s basketball season came to an end with a loss to Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament, Linsday Whalen resigned as head coach of the Golden Gophers.
One would be hard-pressed to find someone more intertwined with basketball in the state of Minnesota than Whalen. In college, she was a four-year star at the University of Minnesota. As a senior, Whalen helped lead the Golden Gophers to the Final Four in 2004. Then, after six seasons with the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, Whalen returned to the Land of 10,000 Lakes and joined the Minnesota Lynx. With the Lynx, she won three WNBA titles and landed several individual honors.
Whalen also won Olympic Gold Medals in 2012 and 2016. In 2022, she was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
But her tenure leading the Golden Gophers was bumpier. Minnesota went 21-11 overall and 9-9 in conference play in her first season. But that was as good as it would get, as in her five years leading the program, the Gophers had an overall record of 71-76 and 32-58 within the conference.
Whalen was scheduled to have a press conference on Thursday. But that didn’t happen. She later explained why, with a pair of tweets.
“Close circuit to all local media: I will be “appearing “and “showing up” for a press conference in the near future. My sincere apologies for not being there today as I was overcome with emotion in the elevator on my way to the press conference. I am a human being,” she said in her first tweet.
Whalen then continued, “Also-I’ve shown up every single day while playing at the U, playing for the Lynx, and coaching at the U. Add up the years. Apologies if this hasn’t been enough. I’ll be available when the time is right.”
Close circuit to all local media: I will be “appearing “and “showing up” for a press conference in the near future. My sincere apologies for not being there today as I was overcome with emotion in the elevator on my way to the press conference. I am a human being.
— Lindsay Whalen (@Lindsay_13) March 3, 2023
Also-I’ve shown up every single day while playing at the U, playing for the Lynx, and coaching at the U. Add up the years. Apologies if this hasn’t been enough. I’ll be available when the time is right.
— Lindsay Whalen (@Lindsay_13) March 3, 2023
And while Whalen offered an apology, the overwhelming majority of replies to her tweets made it known that no apology was needed.
Always have your back, @Lindsay_13. You’re what hoops in this state is all about and we thank you for that. And, I personally, want to thank you for your time and kindness throughout the years.
— Seth Kaplan (@Seth_Kaplan) March 3, 2023
No apologies necessary! Your legacy at @UMNews was secured long ago pic.twitter.com/EPwY1nYoC7
— Sean K. Jensen (@seankjensen) March 3, 2023
Classy all the way https://t.co/gyVnT32y5d
— David Schuman (@david_schuman) March 3, 2023
No need to ever apologize! You’ve done everything and more for the state of Minnesota and the game of basketball. You’re forever appreciated 🐐🐐
— Trevor Mbakwe (@TMbakwe32) March 3, 2023
She will always be a legendary Gopher! 💛 https://t.co/GfppgBKVzK
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) March 3, 2023
It’s refreshing to hear such honesty. Respect for @Lindsay_13 and this admission. https://t.co/p3w81fYzaJ
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) March 3, 2023
Love ya Wheezy🖤 https://t.co/UVoctUy6hB
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) March 3, 2023
