Former Colorado women’s basketball coach Ceal Barry convinced Metro State athletic director Joan McDermott to hire Linda Lappe three years ago. Now it appears Barry will reclaim one of her star pupils.
Lappe, who just finished her third season at Metro and is a former CU player and captain of Barry’s 2003 Sweet 16 team, confirmed Wednesday she interviewed Tuesday for her alma mater’s vacancy.
“I don’t necessarily know a time frame,” the 30-year-old Lappe said Wednesday. “CU has contacted me. I’ve talked with them. It’s up to whenever the CU search committee, (athletic director) Mike Bohn and (ex-coach and committee chair) Ceal Barry, whatever they decide. It’s still fairly early.”
McDermott said she followed up a conversation with Bohn on Wednesday. Athletic directors rarely want to launch coaching searches, but McDermott said: “I’ve got to believe that’s her dream job.”
“From my end, I think that’s who they should hire. She’s a great coach, a big star in the making,” McDermott said. “She played up there, she knows CU, she played for Ceal. I believe she can do it.”
When McDermott called Barry for a reference when she had a vacancy, McDermott said Barry told her: “Do I have one for you.”
Ironically, Barry was the guest speaker Wednesday at a Metro State fundraiser.
Bohn wouldn’t comment on the search other than to say: “Our process is continuing. I’m very pleased with the progress.”
In past searches, Bohn has locked in on one candidate — Dan Hawkins in football and Jeff Bzdelik in men’s basketball. He only extended searches when the first choice in women’s basketball and volleyball turned down CU.
Last season, Metro was 17-12 and 11-8 to finish third in the East Division of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Metro placed in the top three of the division all three seasons under Lappe, who is 50-36 at Metro.
“I enjoy being at Metro,” Lappe said. “It’s a great school and has a great athletic program. I love working for Joan. Everyone in the Metro family is amazing.”
She’s aware of the challenge presented by the Big 12, calling it the best conference in the nation.
Right after graduation, she landed at Drake as a third assistant. She endured the 2006-07 season under Colorado State’s disastrous Jen Warden tenure.
Lappe knows the importance of in-state recruiting ties.
“I’ve been in the state of Colorado for nine of the last 12 years,” she said. “I know the club coaches, I know the high school coaches.”
The Buffs vacancy was created when Kathy McConnell- Miller was released after five seasons.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
