However, Lopiano had her eye on another coach, one she felt could lead the team to become a national contender.

Or maybe he wants to try to keep Rutgers as a national contender.

"We'd like to be a national contender, and all of the pieces are in place," Cashman said.

His 30th Miami team is off to a 3-0 start and is expected to be a national contender.

Under Burleigh's leadership, the team quickly became a national contender.

Big East history demonstrates that for national contenders, a defeat can hold an important lesson.

Some national contenders took up their sports later in life and said they were enjoying a second childhood.

He returned during the 1996-97 season and quickly built Maine back into a national contender.

Rutgers, a national contender last season, faces a rebuilding year.

"If people around the nation see the kind of leadership he has provided here, he'll definitely be a national contender."