Geno in Georgia to see DD

[EricLA]

One more than UCONN: Tennessee. And I truly thought that Tennessee had a chance this year before the announcement of Pat's illness and subsequent diminished role. The current Tennessee squad needs Pat's belly-fire more than any of her past teams, IMO, and she is just not able to give it.

There is just this assertion that if a player doesn't go to UCONN that they are somehow wasting their career. Apparently a championship is not always the biggest factor or every top player would go to UCONN or Tennessee. EDD apparently cared more about more than a championship. She knew she was giving up a chance for that when she left and she was OK with that.

But you have to start somewhere. Baylor may have one this year and possibly next.

sorry but tennessee is sooooo last century . in the past 16 years since UCONN burst onto the scene, UCONN has won 7, Tennessee 5. in this century, UCONN has 6 and Tennessee 2.

i don't disagree that the comments about "how much better would player "A" have been had she come to UCONN" gets a bit annoying. i firmly believe Geno and co. are the best in the game, and while we may have more successful players in the pros and Olympics than any other school, there are certainly a plethora of talented women who cut their teeth at other schools.

and btw i totally agree that next year it will Baylor and UCONN, and then everyone else. Duke and a few others should be up there firmly in the next tier, but those two will be the teams to beat...

 

[MilfordHusky]

sorry but tennessee is last century. in the past 16 years since UCONN burst onto the scene, UCONN has won 7, Tennessee 5. in this century, UCONN has 6 and Tennessee 2.

i don't disagree that the comments about "how much better would player "A" have been had she come to UCONN" gets a bit annoying. i firmly believe Geno and co. are the best in the game, and while we may have more successful players in the pros and Olympics than any other school, there are certainly a plethora of talented women who cut their teeth at other schools.

Actually, Tennessee is so last millenium.

 

[doggydaddy]

In that case, she should go to Tennessee. History shows that you have a better chance there.

And of course it doesn't bother me. I am fully happy to recognize greatness, which is what UCONN represents. I just find the "if she wants to win a championship" speek to be less than appealing. I see it on the Baylor board, and it is true to some extent. Had Baylor nabbed a top 10 recruit for the 2011 class it probably would have secured a national championship for the team this year, and possibly next.

Not with the current situation in Tennessee. I would have thought you would know that. Between the coaching uncertanty, losing 5 seniors with 2 being the best players, and a weaker for them recruiting class, winning an NC is not in their immediate future.

UConn, on the other hand, will have one of the best recruiting class ever in 2012 to add to terrific 2010 and 2011 classes. Anyone on the 2013 class has a great chance at an NC in their freshman year. That has to be quite appealing. Griner and Diggins will have graduated.

 

[UcMiami]

Just curious - did Geno stay last night so he could be the first to meet with her today - beginning of an open contact period started 3/1.

 

[easttexastrash]

The comment was "history." Of course I agree that UCONN's future is brighter at the moment. But based on "history," which was the comment, Tennessee has more titles. Time will tell if UT can turn it around but I wouldn't write them off yet. The new coach will use the "let's bring UT back to what Pat had built" angle in recruiting and it just may work. And I suspect that Pat will have an active role.

 

[connboy77]

The comment was "history." Of course I agree that UCONN's future is brighter at the moment. But based on "history," which was the comment, Tennessee has more titles. Time will tell if UT can turn it around but I wouldn't write them off yet. The new coach will use the "let's bring UT back to what Pat had built" angle in recruiting and it just may work. And I suspect that Pat will have an active role.

If a new coach is not named at the end of this year, I just don't see things getting better for Tennessee, especially if Pat decides to return. Coaching by commitee is just not going to work. No elite recruit is going to commit to an uncertain coaching situation.

 

[JS]

Just curious - did Geno stay last night so he could be the first to meet with her today - beginning of an open contact period started 3/1.

Good thought. It'd be just about impossible to resist, eh?

 

[VAMike23]

If a new coach is not named at the end of this year, I just don't see things getting better for Tennessee, especially if Pat decides to return. Coaching by commitee is just not going to work. No elite recruit is going to commit to an uncertain coaching situation.

I see it as a no-win for UT in the very near term, simply because there are three tiers of coaching in WCBB. Tier 1 contains Pat and Geno. Tier 2 contains a small number of successful big name coaches like Muffett, Kim M, Tara and a few others. Tier 3 contains the up-and-comers like Walsh.

UT's problem is that it's very unlikely any Tier 2 coaches will want to leave their gig and be the first "post Pat" coach in Knoxville. Barring that, they are left with Tier 3 coaches who have no rings and are not yet proven over the long term. One of these could very well bring the lustre back, but it will take some time. (More likely IMO is that the first post-Pat coach will also struggle, and UT will then bring in the coach who will be there in the longer term.)

All of this means that 2013 recruiting is not going to get any shot-in-the-arm. As you said, no elite recruit is going to commit with all this uncertainty. But if the next head coach is indeed a Tier 3 coach (most likely), this is already a huge step down for UT and is being baked into recruits' expectations. Naming one of the current assistants won't help.

Bottom line: With all of the past year's developments, UT recruiting will--for the next 2 years at a minimum--be down somewhat from what they are used to, which is competing for the very best recruits (top 5) who are not already committed. The only way to forestall this would be to somehow land a big coach from the second tier like Tara or Muffett, and I really don't see that happening.

 

[JonB]

I see it as a no-win for UT in the very near term, simply because there are three tiers of coaching in WCBB. Tier 1 contains Pat and Geno. Tier 2 contains a small number of successful big name coaches like Muffett, Kim M, Tara and a few others. Tier 3 contains the up-and-comers like Walsh.

UT's problem is that it's very unlikely any Tier 2 coaches will want to leave their gig and be the first "post Pat" coach in Knoxville. Barring that, they are left with Tier 3 coaches who have no rings and are not yet proven over the long term. One of these could very well bring the lustre back, but it will take some time. (More likely IMO is that the first post-Pat coach will also struggle, and UT will then bring in the coach who will be there in the longer term.)

All of this means that 2013 recruiting is not going to get any shot-in-the-arm. As you said, no elite recruit is going to commit with all this uncertainty. But if the next head coach is indeed a Tier 3 coach (most likely), this is already a huge step down for UT and is being baked into recruits' expectations. Naming one of the current assistants won't help.

Bottom line: With all of the past year's developments, UT recruiting will--for the next 2 years at a minimum--be down somewhat from what they are used to, which is competing for the very best recruits (top 5) who are not already committed. The only way to forestall this would be to somehow land a big coach from the second tier like Tara or Muffett, and I really don't see that happening.

I'm thinking Kelly Jolly Harper, at NC State. (I'm sure BY-ers know who she is!) Maybe bring her in next year as an associate HC or co-HC for one year? That, I think, would resolve most of their recruiting issues as best they can be. (Side note: She would end up having replaced both Kay Yow and PHS.)

 

[meyers7]

I see it as a no-win for UT in the very near term, simply because there are three tiers of coaching in WCBB. Tier 1 contains Pat and Geno. Tier 2 contains a small number of successful big name coaches like Muffett, Kim M, Tara and a few others. Tier 3 contains the up-and-comers like Walsh.

In what tier are the ones who just kinda suck?

 

[doggydaddy]

In what tier are the ones who just kinda suck?

For fans of those programs it's "tears" not "tier".

 

[VAMike23]

In what tier are the ones who just kinda suck?

Yeah I just kind of meant the tiers that mattered for UT as far as coaching possibilities.... there are definitely lower Tiers, which as DD pointed out often (but not always) lead to Tears for their fans

 

[rington]

The comment was "history." Of course I agree that UCONN's future is brighter at the moment. But based on "history," which was the comment, Tennessee has more titles. Time will tell if UT can turn it around but I wouldn't write them off yet. The new coach will use the "let's bring UT back to what Pat had built" angle in recruiting and it just may work. And I suspect that Pat will have an active role.

To scrutinize each stated word, let's say "recent history."
"Time will tell".......I thought the discussion started on the next 4 0r 5 years, and what that might mean to current recruits.......how do you know the philosophy of the new coach? In the games I have watched this year, Pat does not seem to have an active role.

 

[MilfordHusky]

One missing piece:

 

[Enigma64]

One missing piece:

If my memory serves me right, this was taken Nov 2010... I'm also waiting on the completion of this excellent picture.

 

[Frank]

Just curious - did Geno stay last night so he could be the first to meet with her today - beginning of an open contact period started 3/1.

Excellent Point!! He knows she has choices, and good ones. There is more parity in Women's basketball then ever and hence more choices for the best players. I believe this is why DD's class is holding out longer than many in the past....they are more informed abut where their peers are going, and realize there are more good choices out there than in the past. If two or three get together and go to a new school, you just never know.

 

[meyers7]

Yeah I just kind of meant the tiers that mattered for UT as far as coaching possibilities.... there are definitely lower Tiers, which as DD pointed out often (but not always) lead to Tears for their fans

Or Tears for their Fears. Cause everybody wants to rule the world (or WBB world)

 

[Icebear]

Yeah I just kind of meant the tiers that mattered for UT as far as coaching possibilities.... there are definitely lower Tiers, which as DD pointed out often (but not always) lead to Tears for their fans

There are, actually, 241 tiers of coaching in WCBB although some do over lap. The ones that suck are in the bottom71.27634 tiers, plus or minus a dozen or so.

 

[speedoo]

Assuming Geno and Shea are seeing DD and her folks today, I wonder if the name Kaela Davis will come up?

 

[Bestiarius]

The comment was "history." Of course I agree that UCONN's future is brighter at the moment. But based on "history," which was the comment, Tennessee has more titles. Time will tell if UT can turn it around but I wouldn't write them off yet. The new coach will use the "let's bring UT back to what Pat had built" angle in recruiting and it just may work. And I suspect that Pat will have an active role.

Lets compare historical apples to apples. In reality, at this point, the two programs aren’t TN and Uconn. It’s the Pat and Geno show.
It’s difficult to make comparisons because Pat has an eleven year head start on Geno. It might be more meaningful to compare each coach’s first eleven years. During that span, Pat had zero NC’s and Geno had one. Regarding total NCs, Pat has 8 and Geno has 7, but the 11 year head-start looms large in determining who will be judged the greater coach. Geno is winning the average NCs per year battle and has 11 more years to pass Pat’s record.
Once Pat and Geno are retired, and new coaches are in place, the focus will slowly shift to the program rather than the coach. Women’s BB is just too young to base assessments on “the program”.
So where are we right now re TN vs Uconn. I feel Uconn is in a good place. I’m not discounting TNs reputation for being able to recruit well in the past. But, Leno’s “Man on the street” routine is an example of what makes me pause when thinking about TNs future. When asked who performed the electricity experiment with the key on the kite string in a lightning storm, the answer opined was not Ben Franklin, it was “Bill Clinton!” Even more current - many youth know or care who was President before Obama. The focus is on the future folks, not the past. And that is TNs challenge.
Let’s face it, recruits want to play for Pat or Geno. Yes there is local loyalty for TN, but it doesn’t spread very far from Knoxville. Pat’s sphere of influence is much wider, but she won’t be there.
In my opinion, the hard reality is, Pat is a liability to the program. UT’s stated position is that Pat can stay as long as she wants. A laudable attitude but it will be a detriment to the program. At some point, her ability to make a rational decision will be impaired, and the UT will be in a difficult position.
The argument, “let’s bring UT back to what Pat had built” is a dubious strategy. What recruit living outside Tennessee would be swayed by that? I’d compare TN’s situation with UCLAs when Wooden retired. One NC in 35 years and the weather is better in LA. Recruits will choose their school based on what the school can do for them, and at least for the next 4 years at least, Uconn’s star is shining bright.

 

[Sonny44]

I'm thinking Kelly Jolly Harper, at NC State. (I'm sure BY-ers know who she is!) Maybe bring her in next year as an associate HC or co-HC for one year? That, I think, would resolve most of their recruiting issues as best they can be. (Side note: She would end up having replaced both Kay Yow and PHS.)

Associate to whom? Pat must leave IMO; they must turn the corner, start anew, not prolong the agony. She must know that.

 

[JonB]

Associate to whom? Pat must leave IMO; they must turn the corner, start anew, not prolong the agony. She must know that.

Even in a diminished role, she still has something to contribute, I think. I'm suggesting a transition year in which an associate HC takes an ever-increasing role under the guidance of PHS.

This has to be an incredibly difficult situation for all concerned, and anything that can be done to ease the transition should be.

 

[doggydaddy]

Even in a diminished role, she still has something to contribute, I think. I'm suggesting a transition year in which an associate HC takes an ever-increasing role under the guidance of PHS.

This has to be an incredibly difficult situation for all concerned, and anything that can be done to ease the transition should be.

Why would this be different than every other coaching change? This particular job is so tough you need a transition year? If that is the case, they hired the wrong replacement.

 

[MilfordHusky]

If my memory serves me right, this was taken Nov 2010... I'm also waiting on the completion of this excellent picture.

I think it was First Night, October 2010. The group of 6 look so good together.

 

[JonB]

Why would this be different than every other coaching change? This particular job is so tough you need a transition year? If that is the case, they hired the wrong replacement.

The track record of coaches following legends is pretty dismal. And the circumstances of this case are pretty unique. But the bottom line is that PHS has earned the right to go out on her own terms as long as it doesn't hurt the program. (Contrast to Joe Paterno. Setting the Sandusky situation aside, wouldn't PSU have been much better served by a transition year where a new coach, be it O'Brien or whomever, got to take control of the program while still benefiting from the aura of the legend and allowing the legend to take a victory lap through the conference?)