A TN fan's perspective

[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.

 

[Kibitzer]

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

It has been instructive and refreshing to read your series of posts and I believe they have provided a new and welcome perspective on this unfortunate situation. Apparently you have had access to telecasts which have been unavailable to us and we readily take your word about the contrast.

The contention by some of your colleagues -- that it is a UConn-ESPN conspiracy to cast Pat in the worst possible light -- has no basis, even though it has been endorsed even by moderators of your message board.

I am especially pleased that Pat was able to discern and publicly appreciate the many sincere and heartfelt messages from Connecticut and I/we hope they brought her some cheer in a most difficult time.

Given Pat's appreciation of this perhaps unexpected source of support and encouragement, I find it easy to ignore a few hateful posters on your board who insist that our motives were mean-spirited or downright sinister.

It is surely time to call a halt to the nasty comments and collaborate in our efforts to "Back Pat!"

I will vouch for my fellow Boneyarders.

Back to you, BigO.

 

[BigO]

It has been instructive and refreshing to read your series of posts and I believe they have provided a new and welcome perspective on this unfortunate situation. Apparently you have had access to telecasts which have been unavailable to us and we readily take your word about the contrast.

The contention by some of your colleagues -- that it is a UConn-ESPN conspiracy to cast Pat in the worst possible light -- has no basis, even though it has been endorsed even by moderators of your message board.

I am especially pleased that Pat was able to discern and publicly appreciate the many sincere and heartfelt messages from Connecticut and I/we hope they brought her some cheer in a most difficult time.

Given Pat's appreciation of this perhaps unexpected source of support and encouragement, I find it easy to ignore a few hateful posters on your board who insist that our motives were mean-spirited or downright sinister.

It is surely time to call a halt to the nasty comments and collaborate in our efforts to "Back Pat!"

I will vouch for my fellow Boneyarders.

Back to you, BigO.

very very nice of you. thanks. and i agree 100%

 

[NCorBust]

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

So?

 

[Ctpaul0825]

If you have not seen the movie "Catfish", you should. Basically people can create different characters and personalities on the Internet and I believe this is the case on all boards or other social networking sites. After watching the movie I now take what I read with a grain of salt. Some of it is heartfelt, honest and real, some of it is just someone creating a character and posting or saying whatever they want with no concern that it may hurt or believed to be true.

I can say " I just heard that DD commited to UCONN", it's not based on any truth but if it's said it must be true, right?, no wrong! A story can snowball and be believed as fact especially if we want to believe it to be so. And yet in reality, it is no more true then that the earth is flat.

 

[UcMiami]

very very nice of you. thanks. and i agree 100%

And I was especially proud of the Uconn men's team wearing the We Back Pat Uconn tee shirts in their warm-ups at Tenn (though not of their subsequent performance!!!) I think that reflected the general feeling of Uconn and its fans and those who post here.

 

[alexrgct]

If you have not seen the movie "Catfish", you should. Basically people can create different characters and personalities on the Internet and I believe this is the case on all boards or other social networking sites. After watching the movie I now take what I read with a grain of salt. Some of it is heartfelt, honest and real, some of it is just someone creating a character and posting or saying whatever they want with no concern that it may hurt or believed to be true.

I can say " I just heard that DD commited to UCONN", it's not based on any truth but if it's said it must be true, right?, no wrong! A story can snowball and be believed as fact especially if we want to believe it to be so. And yet in reality, it is no more true then that the earth is flat.

It is a well known psychological phenomenon that people tend to remember the details of what they've heard more clearly than who they heard it from. Thus over time, bad information gains credibility and good information loses credibility. This phenomenon underscored the danger of the National Enquirer, negative campaign ads, etc. Unfortunately, the Internet has increased our sources of potentially bad information by orders of magnitude. And it's also made it so important to get information out first (and we're talking by minutes) that traditional journalistic standards have gone out the window, even by previously credible sources of news.

In short, no one knows what the heck is true. I'm mean, I'm a metaphysical relatavist anyway, but we're all kind of there by default at this point...

 

[Ctpaul0825]

not a chance. it is already known in TN that she is helping with that decision.

Based on what BigO?, has the UT administration made any comment that your statement can be based on ?

i think you might be underestimating the love for her. it's her program until she leaves.

On what are you basing that anyone underestimates the love for coach Summitt ?

 

[DaddyChoc]

if some can trash EDD.. Im sure some have no problem doing it to Coach Summitt.

damn shame in both cases

 

[MarieM]

dude tennessee fans are saying worst things about this situation, its very obvious that Pat isn't the same Pat she was 5 or 30 years ago but you guys saying that she should bench the assistant coach or start looking for a new coaching staff and what not is not going to help the situation. Why not write this exact same post on tennessee site as well?!!!

 

[MarieM]

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

Hey welcome to UCONN BASKETBALL WORLD, the media loves when UConn loses a game, is under ncaa review, someone transfers out, someone is injured whatever the bad case may be the media enjoys it