There is no question that Anne Donovan, the most accomplished woman’s basketball player on the planet, can coach. And there is also no question that she can’t coach two teams at the same time.
Donovan had the interim tag removed from her position as the Liberty’s head coach on Dec. 3, 2009. A little less than four months later, she was introduced as Seton Hall’s new coach.
Something had to give, and, for now, it’s Seton Hall.
Donovan said yesterday as the Liberty opened training camp that all of energy would be focused on leading the WNBA squad to its first title. When asked if she would be available to help Seton Hall close on a recruit in the July summer period, the answer was, “No.”
“I honestly don’t see that happening,” she said. “In the WNBA, you never have a day off.”
Which means Seton Hall assistant coach Ty Grace will have responsibility of recruiting Donovan’s first class. And Donovan will have the responsibility of helping the Liberty rebound from a 13-21 season and last-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
The Liberty revamped its roster, acquiring All-Star Cappie Pondexter in a trade for Shameka Christon and Cathrine Kraayeveld, signing Taj McWilliams-Franklin and taking Nicole Powell with the first pick in the dispersal draft.
Donovan can’t entertain thoughts of Seton Hall while trying to integrate those players with Essence Carson, Janel McCarville and Kia Vaughn. When how much work needed to be done, Donovan replied: “We had everybody back and won 13 games last year.”
Seton Hall was worse. The Pirates (9-21, 1-15 Big East) finished dead last in the league. Donovan needs to work a complete overhaul in South Orange.
Donovan said that Seton Hall was aware of what her priorities would be. Liberty general manager Carol Blazejowski said she didn’t consider Seton Hall an issue.
No one asked Donovan about cloning but she did say she’d like her teams — college or pro — to play a similar style.
“If you’re aggressive, defend and rebound, you’ll have no problems with me,” she said.
The problem is not being able to be two places at once.
lenn.robbins@ny
post.com