A TN fan's perspective

[HuskyNan]

i get what most of you are saying, but i do think the media is obsessed with the negative side of pat's issue, instead of saying...wait this woman is in the fight for her life and is STILL at every practice, every game, and has a top 10 team who may finish 1st or 2nd in a tough conference this year. she does every post game interview. she answers numerous face book questions after each game. but she has been instructed by doctors to slow down when on sidelines as the stress makes the disease progress faster. i don't think you all can see the difference on how ESPN covers the games, because you don't have the other TV channels in the South. when the LVs are not on ESPN the channels actually show pat engaged and talking to players, etc. when we are on ESPN, she is only shown gazing into space. my grandmother has this awful disease, as i am sure that many of your family members have had too. i know many of you are resistant to believe that ESPN is covering this in a bad way, but you don't see the other 80% of LV basketball as we do. that's why we all blow up when ESPN does its thing. (which hurts the perception of pat, the fans, and the program)

trust me when i say that if the were handling Geno like this you all would go NUTS

Why don't you fans request that the Tennessee SID contact ESPN and tell them PHS is calm on the sidelines on doctor's orders? I don't know if it would help but at least you guys could feel like you're doing something.

 

[UConnCat]

i don't think you all can see the difference on how ESPN covers the games, because you don't have the other TV channels in the South. when the LVs are not on ESPN the channels actually show pat engaged and talking to players, etc. when we are on ESPN, she is only shown gazing into space. my grandmother has this awful disease, as i am sure that many of your family members have had too. i know many of you are resistant to believe that ESPN is covering this in a bad way, but you don't see the other 80% of LV basketball as we do. that's why we all blow up when ESPN does its thing. (which hurts the perception of pat, the fans, and the program)

trust me when i say that if the were handling Geno like this you all would go NUTS

I posted in another thread that I don't believe ESPN created a false narrative during its broadcast of the Notre Dame game which, as I understand it, generated many complaints from LV fans. I re-watched the game and Pat did not move off the bench at all during the entire 2nd half of game action (while the wheels were falling off, btw). Having said that, I also believe it to be likely that Pat is following her physician's instructions and deliberately avoiding the type of stress that can exacerbate alzheimer's symptoms. To Nan's point, if the LV program believes ESPN's broadcasts are creating an inaccurate narrative, then Debbie Jennings needs to address that with the producers of women's broadcasts and/or Carol Stiff.

 

[BigO]

Why don't you fans request that the Tennessee SID contact ESPN and tell them PHS is calm on the sidelines on doctor's orders? I don't know if it would help but at least you guys could feel like you're doing something.

i think many people have tried but it's a little too late. the perception is there. pat is still pat when she is on camera talking. she is quick, funny, and doesn't seem any different. stress is the enemy

 

[Icebear]

i get what most of you are saying, but i do think the media is obsessed with the negative side of pat's issue, instead of saying...wait this woman is in the fight for her life and is STILL at every practice, every game, and has a top 10 team who may finish 1st or 2nd in a tough conference this year. she does every post game interview. she answers numerous face book questions after each game. but she has been instructed by doctors to slow down when on sidelines as the stress makes the disease progress faster. i don't think you all can see the difference on how ESPN covers the games, because you don't have the other TV channels in the South. when the LVs are not on ESPN the channels actually show pat engaged and talking to players, etc. when we are on ESPN, she is only shown gazing into space. my grandmother has this awful disease, as i am sure that many of your family members have had too. i know many of you are resistant to believe that ESPN is covering this in a bad way, but you don't see the other 80% of LV basketball as we do. that's why we all blow up when ESPN does its thing. (which hurts the perception of pat, the fans, and the program)

trust me when i say that if the were handling Geno like this you all would go NUTS

BigO,
I think the ESPN piece shown during halftime of the UConn-ND was edited very carefully to present as positive an image of Pat as possible. Probably too much so. CBS did the same. I think the media has been extremely sensitive to her condition. I believe the judgment being put onto to ESPN is a projection of the deep emotional response of TN fans. That is only natural because of the deep love and appreciation TN fans have for everything Pat has done at TN.

 

[BigO]

I posted in another thread that I don't believe ESPN created a false narrative during its broadcast of the Notre Dame game which, as I understand it, generated many complaints from LV fans. I re-watched the game and Pat did not move off the bench at all during the entire 2nd half of game action (while the wheels were falling off, btw). Having said that, I also believe it to be likely that Pat is following her physician's instructions and deliberately avoiding the type of stress that can exacerbate alzheimer's symptoms. To Nan's point, if the LV program believes ESPN's broadcasts are creating an inaccurate narrative, then Debbie Jennings needs to address that with the producers of women's broadcasts and/or Carol Stiff.

take a look at some of the AP pictures of our games. they show a different side. espn has a story. as with any issue, negativity sells more than a nice story. i suspect pat will not coach past this year as the press has made it impossible for her or the team. as she has always done, pat will put TN first, not herself.

 

[Icebear]

take a look at some of the AP pictures of our games. they show a different side. espn has a story. as with any issue, negativity sells more than a nice story. i suspect pat will not coach past this year as the press has made it impossible for her or the team. as she has always done, pat will put TN first, not herself.

Those pictures are stills and are even more given to selection than the sideline video shots during the game. Also, I have heard/read from other fans at some of the games that they, too, think Pat is often disengaged.

 

[BigO]

BigO,
I think that ESPN carefully edited the interview piece shown during halftime of the UConn-ND was edited very carefully to present as positive an image of Pat as possible. Probably too much so. CBS did the same. I think the media has been extremely sensitive to her condition. I believe the judgment being put onto to ESPN is a projection of the deep emotional response of TN fans. That is only natural because of the deep love and appreciation TN fans have for everything Pat has done at TN.

it's not just TV...it's articles, headlines, clips, etc. it's the whole package. there is nothing that can be done. recruits will either bleed orange or not. TN was always going to stumble when pat stepped down. she is the person who started recruiting as we know it today. UCONN will def stumble when geno leaves. it's just part of it.

 

[BigO]

Those pictures are stills and are even more given to selection than the sideline video shots during the game. Also, I have heard/read from other fans at some of the games that they, too, think Pat is often disengaged.

i think you might be missing the point...she is "disengaged" b/c her doctors have ordered her to relax during games. stress makes the disease move more quickly.

 

[BigO]

and i would add that pat has been very complementary to some of the UCONN fans for their support. ESPN is a different story....

 

[wire chief]

i think you might be missing the point...she is "disengaged" b/c her doctors have ordered her to relax during games. stress makes the disease move more quickly.

I, for one, welcome your perspective and Nan's reflections also.

 

[Icebear]

it's not just TV...it's articles, headlines, clips, etc. it's the whole package. there is nothing that can be done. recruits will either bleed orange or not. TN was always going to stumble when pat stepped down. she is the person who started recruiting as we know it today. UCONN will def stumble when geno leaves. it's just part of it.

There is no doubt that neither TN nor UConn will ever be the same again after Pat and Geno are gone. Their personalities are such an indelible part of each program. The same is true of football at PSU and was true of football at Nebraska. But they can still be great, but only when people are ready to let go of the past and stop comparisons and micromanaging a new coaches work, of course, that never happens on fan boards.

 

[BigO]

I, for one, welcome your perspective and Nan's reflections also.

thanks!

 

[Icebear]

i think you might be missing the point...she is "disengaged" b/c her doctors have ordered her to relax during games. stress makes the disease move more quickly.

I disagree. It is more than that and it has been obvious for more than this season. I could see it over a year ago and took flack because I noted the changes on this board. It was long before anything was known and Pat's public statement and in the long run her Mayo diagnosis fit.

 

[BigO]

There is no doubt that neither TN nor UConn will ever be the same again after Pat and Geno are gone. Their personalities are such an indelible part of each program. The same is true of football at PSU and was true of football at Nebraska. But they can still be great, but only when people are ready to let go of the past and stop comparisons and micromanaging a new coaches work, of course, that never happens on fan boards.

the next coach at TN will have some HUGE high heels to fill.... ha.....i don't see anyone but a former lady vol coaching this team. i really wish catchings had some coaching experience. she would be my choice. it's either nikki caldwell or kelly jollie, or matt mitchell that's what i hear...(and i don't know if a man will get the job, as sexist as that sounds)

 

[PacoSwede]

And you cannot now be charitable enough to think perhaps her illness may have played a part in her statements?

If this illness spurred the attacks, that should mitigate offended UConn fans' anger at PHS. The actions, however, remain despicable regardless of their origins.

 

[alexrgct]

the next coach at TN will have some HUGE high heels to fill.... ha.....i don't see anyone but a former lady vol coaching this team. i really wish catchings had some coaching experience. she would be my choice. it's either nikki caldwell or kelly jollie, or matt mitchell that's what i hear...(and i don't know if a man will get the job, as sexist as that sounds)

I agree that there is going to be immense pressure to fill the job with a woman, which is unfortunate for Tennessee...because if I can hire anyone, there are several male coaches I'd be calling.

I would take Sherri Coale over any former LV player if she'd come. Her resume dwarfs Caldwell's or Jolly Harper's, she's extremely likable/media-friendly/photogenic, and when she's had good players, she's done quite well. I absolutely believe she could recruit better at Tennessee than she has at OU, and in the process win a national championship in Knoxville.

I see football programs especially develop a culture of wanting, say, "a Michigan man" or "someone who was part of the Penn State family", and it's detrimental. Fresh perspectives can be good, and if an outsider fails, it's less controversial and devisive to fire them. Can you imagine how much it would suck to have to fire Caldwell if she doesn't have the success people hope she'd have?

 

[BigO]

If this illness spurred the attacks, that should mitigate offended UConn fans' anger at PHS. The actions, however, remain despicable regardless of their origins.

well i am not wading into that mess. you don't know what really happened and neither do i. obviously, something more happened than simply losing a recruit. anyway, that's not the point of my thread so let's not go there. ha

 

[BigO]

I agree that there is going to be immense pressure to fill the job with a woman, which is unfortunate for Tennessee...because if I can hire anyone, there are several male coaches I'd be calling.

I would take Sherri Coale over any former LV player if she'd come. Her resume dwarfs Caldwell's or Jolly Harper's, she's extremely likable/media-friendly/photogenic, and when she's had good players, she's done quite well. I absolutely believe she could recruit better at Tennessee than she has at OU, and in the process win a national championship in Knoxville.

I see football programs especially develop a culture of wanting, say, "a Michigan man" or "someone who was part of the Penn State family", and it's detrimental. Fresh perspectives can be good, and if an outsider fails, it's less controversial and devisive to fire them. Can you imagine how much it would suck to have to fire Caldwell if she doesn't have the success people hope she'd have?

yeah i agree with that in some ways...i guess there is just a real culture in TN that the lady vol family is the only option. aside from our senior class this year, there is a belief system that pat has built. it works. i dont see them moving away from the tradition of pat summit or her program. i love matt mitchell. sherri cole is very cool. it's actually kind of bizarre that there aren't more established lady vols who are coaching right now. one thing is for sure by all media accounts from the school....pat summitt has a HUGE say in who replaces her. as she should....

 

[semper]

In my view, Pat will not choose her successor. That almost never happens, and it shouldn't. I would look at the long term, and pick an interim, and let things cool down a bit. Take a deep breath, and see what happens for a couple of years. Yes, things will go severely down hill for a couple years, but then you will have a new, dynamic coach, and everything will start to build again.

 

[Alydar]

it's not just TV...it's articles, headlines, clips, etc. it's the whole package. there is nothing that can be done. recruits will either bleed orange or not. TN was always going to stumble when pat stepped down. she is the person who started recruiting as we know it today. UCONN will def stumble when geno leaves. it's just part of it.

O, What sort of comments do you think will be on the Summitt in that case?

 

[doggydaddy]

Anyone that thinks sitting there and watching the players she recruited so hard to get and worked so hard to coach play so poorly is less stressful than actively coaching them during the game is wrong, IMO.

 

[BigO]

In my view, Pat will not choose her successor. That almost never happens, and it shouldn't. I would look at the long term, and pick an interim, and let things cool down a bit. Take a deep breath, and see what happens for a couple of years. Yes, things will go severely down hill for a couple years, but then you will have a new, dynamic coach, and everything will start to build again.

not a chance. it is already known in TN that she is helping with that decision. i think you might be underestimating the love for her. it's her program until she leaves.

 

[BigO]

O, What sort of comments do you think will be on the Summitt in that case?

i think some fans will cheer if geno left on his own. i suspect TN fans would never cheer if Geno got sick and was forced to retire. but there are always bad apples in every bunch. and i believe a lot of the nonsense on these boards relates to young kids who are posting and aren't mature enough to see the big picture

 

[BigO]

Anyone that thinks sitting there and watching the players she recruited so hard to get and worked so hard to coach play so poorly is less stressful than actively coaching them during the game is wrong, IMO.

well it's more stressful to me. OBVIOUSLY, the players are being emotionally affected by pat's illness. the seniors have always had issues but they are simply lost right now. frankly, i would rather have new players that are total fighters than seeking out a player based on a ranking by hoopgirlz. that's just me though.

 

[alexrgct]

not a chance. it is already known in TN that she is helping with that decision. i think you might be underestimating the love for her. it's her program until she leaves.

I agree that it's going to be much easier for the next coach to come aboard and be embraced if Pat's explicit endorsement has been given, and that's pretty common for long-time, beloved coaches to have that input. Results can be mixed (not all great coaches make great athletic directors, loyalties can lead them astray, etc.), but it's the right thing to do for sure.