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Message: [QUOTE="iri10, post: 3101246, member: 1781"] Going straight for the 'ideal' coach is also problematic, though. Immediately after a legend retires, the shadow of their reputation and presence and [I]results [/I]still looms large over the program. A successor coach in that position isn't just being measured against his or her D1 opponents, but also the expectations of the program itself. I think that choosing Holly to be the immediate successor was the right call, both in respect for her long service and to serve as a gentle transition to the next era of the program. If she overperformed and Tennessee rocketed back to the top, keep her around. If not, gently ease her aside at the end of her contract in favor of the ideal coach you wanted all along. The problem was that she was there too long after her limitations as a head coach became apparent. Yes, she was still winning some conference and tournament games based on the great talent she was still getting...and it's not easy to let go of a coach of a top 10 or top 20 team. But someone should have made the hard choice years ago. [/QUOTE]