McGraw finally speaks about Loyd's departure

Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw has broken her silence about star guard Jewell Loyd's announcement last week that she was foregoing her final year of eligibility to enter the WNBA draft. McGraw was caught off-guard by the news, which left her feeling numb - and she's still getting over it.

Interestingly, Loyd didn't talk with her former coaches in advance, and they still haven't talked. McGraw thinks Loyd's decision a poor one:

"I think it's really a bad decision for women to leave early," McGraw said referring to the women's game in general. "They are not making the money the men make. They are going to make less than $50,000 in the league. And to get your degree from a school like Notre Dame, it's just mind-boggling that anyone would choose to leave early."

College coaching news:

Coach Mike Neighbors' contract has been extended at Washington through 2019-2020.

Coach Chris Gobrecht has left Yale to take the head coach job at Air Force.

American has extended coach Megan Gebbia's contract through 2020-2021.

Former Ball State associate head coach Rekha Patterson is Southeast Missouri State's new head coach.

College player news:

Former Marquette guard Tia Elbert has transferred to Indiana.

Sophomore guard Morgan Blumer is leaving FGCU.

WNBA news:

The Los Angeles Sparks have hired Amber Stocks as an assistant coach. Though new to the pro coaching ranks, Stocks has a fascinating resume:

Stocks served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Xavier University from 2002-2009. During her years with Xavier, she helped put together six 20-win seasons and six national postseason appearances, including four NCAA Tournaments. Prior to joining Xavier in 2002, Stocks spent two seasons as women’s director of basketball operations for the University of Tennessee, working closely with then Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt on the daily operations of the program. She was part of the staff that helped lead Tennessee to two regular season SEC Championships and advanced to the 2002 Final Four.

Stocks is also a certified strength and conditioning coach, overseeing strength and conditioning at the University of Notre Dame (1999-2000) and serving on the staff for the University of Cincinnati and Xavier (1998 – 1999) during her undergraduate careers.