Harper new Tenn coach?! | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Harper new Tenn coach?!

I had no idea his only coaching jobs came from serving under Harper for her coaching career. That what's being said on VN.So it's safe to say that UT hired not one but two sub par coaches to run that mess of a program. Can you fire your significant other? How would that work?
 
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I am just glad we have a new coach to start a fresh chapter. It has been a brutal year for LV fans. Plus, all recruits confirmed today that they are staying in orange. Evina might even stay as well. We shall see..

I will say this to UCONN fans. Losing a legend like Pat makes for a really, really hard reality. You can't immediately replace the magic of a legend with another legend. Whenever Geno retires, it will be nearly impossible for anyone to ever do what he has done and is still doing at UCONN.

When he retires, would you prefer an assistant with no head coaching experience take over? A proven elite coach who wants a ton of money but has NO connection to UCONN? Would you want to take a risk on a UCONN legend who has been coaching for a few years and seems to be on the rise? Hard questions to answer.
 
LadyVols9 said:
I am just glad we have a new coach to start a fresh chapter. It has been a brutal year for LV fans. Plus, all recruits confirmed today that they are staying in orange. Evina might even stay as well. We shall see..

I will say this to UCONN fans. Losing a legend like Pat makes for a really, really hard reality. You can't immediately replace the magic of a legend with another legend. Whenever Geno retires, it will be nearly impossible for anyone to ever do what he has done and is still doing at UCONN.

When he retires, would you prefer an assistant with no head coaching experience take over? A proven elite coach who wants a ton of money but has NO connection to UCONN? Would you want to take a risk on a UCONN legend who has been coaching for a few years and seems to be on the rise? Hard questions to answer.
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We don't have to worry because UConn fans have decided that under no circumstances will we ever let Geno retire....:rolleyes:
 
EricLA said:
Congrats! As a UCONN fan Fargas was my first choice, but Harper was my 2nd choice. May they enjoy many more years of mediocrity!
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That really invites bad karma to wish poor outcomes for others. We'll see how UConn does when Geno retires and being stuck in the American conference.
The bad blood between the programs is ancient history.
 
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mtsuraider06 said:
We thought the same thing about Pat. It doesn’t always turn out how we think it will.
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Sadly, nothing is forever. Unlike some here on the BY, I truly miss those classic battles between Pat's LV's and Geno's Huskies. Games vs ND, Louisville, SC, Baylor or whomever just don't have quite the same feel.
 
Undercovervol said:
That really invites bad karma to wish poor outcomes for others. We'll see how UConn does when Geno retires and being stuck in the American conference. The bad blood between the programs is ancient history.
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No it's not. You are free spout your opinions on the board, but many UCONN fans will never root for anything good to happen to Tennessee. And you want to talk bad Karma, it's 10X worse on Vol nation so feel free to go over there lecture your own fans instead of ours.
 
I think most LV fans miss Pat the person more than the wins. I remember going to a game after she retired and had a very hard time walking. At halftime, my sister and her baby were in line right behind Pat. Pat saw them and absolutely insisted that they go ahead of her in line. Mind you, this is at the court that has her name on it and while she is ill. Such a good person and irreplaceable. I just wish the new coach good luck and will be there to support all of them.
 
oldude said:
Sadly, nothing is forever. Unlike some here on the BY, I truly miss those classic battles between Pat's LV's and Geno's Huskies. Games vs ND, Louisville, SC, Baylor or whomever just don't have quite the same feel.
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Amen Brother! BATTLES that truly elevated the game.
 
Harper will apparently keep the new recruits (at least for now). With Westbrook gone PG could be an issue... but Harper was a pretty good point guard herself.

Harper is a much better coach than Warlick and she should have a decent year. (Heck, if she beats UConn or even gives them a good game she'll be a hero). I'd predict a 20+ win season, third in the SEC, and NCAA Sweet 16. And that will be enough to keep the fans relatively happy. Over-performing those numbers would make them ecstatic!

Add 15 points over the season in a few key games and the LV's would have won 24 games. A coach that could motivate and make adjustments on the fly could easily have had that team challenging for the Elite Eight. If Westbrook should decide to stay (doubtful) this team might be an elite eight contender by next March.

If Harper develops this year's recruits (and polishes a couple of last year's) her second year should be decent as well. After that, the key will be how she is able to recruit the five stars -- new territory for her. But the Tennessee name still has a lot of weight, especially for players in the South.

Concerns among the most knowledgeable TN fans are recruiting and also the offense she'll install. But I'm not sure it's fair to judge Harper by the rather lackluster sets she used at Missouri State when you consider the level of talent she had. What TN fans are most looking forward to is the discipline they feel she'll bring, how she'll be able to develop players. and the whole new reset of the program that they feel is so badly needed.
 
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I think she'd be a fun personality to have on the SEC sidelines. She's the head coach version of Cunningham. Has energy and spunk, and always fiery on the sidelines.

I realize that doesn't win you games, but its all entertainment for my SEC viewing self. Personally speaking, Holly Warlick was just dull. Come on now. She's that woman with super big goggles to me. But not very interesting otherwise.

As for the merits of Harper's coaching....we wont really know until we have a legitimate sample size to evaluate , but its not like Tennessee had a lot of options, this was the best they could do. I guess they'll just have to wait and see. If she is just a slight upgrade to Holly, its not like she's coming in for a major rebuild job. Tennessee has a roster full of players that can immediately shake up the SEC in as little as a year. People think South Carolina will rise up next year. I happen to think Tennessee's ceiling is even larger provided all those resources and potential.

I also find it interesting she's so underpaid. I know people are gonna say that she can't have salary demands yet, but I saw her salary numbers and immediately raised by eyebrows at that measly change for a head coach in an elite women's basketball institution like Tennessee. Just my personal take on the matter.
 
SimpleDawg said:
I think she'd be a fun personality to have on the SEC sidelines. She's the head coach version of Cunningham. Has energy and spunk, and always fiery on the sidelines.

I realize that doesn't win you games, but its all entertainment for my SEC viewing self. Personally speaking, Holly Warlick was just dull. Come on now. She's that woman with super big goggles to me. But not very interesting otherwise.

As for the merits of Harper's coaching....we wont really know until we have a legitimate sample size to evaluate , but its not like Tennessee had a lot of options, this was the best they could do. I guess they'll just have to wait and see. If she is just a slight upgrade to Holly, its not like she's coming in for a major rebuild job. Tennessee has a roster full of players that can immediately shake up the SEC in as little as a year. People think South Carolina will rise up next year. I happen to think Tennessee's ceiling is even larger provided all those resources and potential.

I also find it interesting she's so underpaid. I know people are gonna say that she can't have salary demands yet, but I saw her salary numbers and immediately raised by eyebrows at that measly change for a head coach in an elite women's basketball institution like Tennessee. Just my personal take on the matter.
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She has to prove herself first before she can make salary demands. I also think that Tennessee kept Holly a little to long. She should have been fired two or three years ago.
 
Will Westbrook stay or will she go? (A slight paraphrase of a Clash song). I think that depends on what bites she gets from which programs now that she has placed herself in the transfer portal. It also depends on what her relationship is with the others on her team. If the coaching was the only issue and she otherwise got along with her team mates she may well stay if the new coach strikes the right note with her.
 
I actually hope TN gets better because it's good for the overall health of the SEC. But it's really hard to find an elite coach. The odds are definitely against a dynasty ever rising up again. Alabama football is that rare exception.
 
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MSUFan2003 said:
I actually hope TN gets better because it's good for the overall health of the SEC. But it's really hard to find an elite coach. The odds are definitely against a dynasty ever rising up again. Alabama football is that rare exception.
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Did you mean to say Clemson?
 
LadyVols9 said:
I am just glad we have a new coach to start a fresh chapter. It has been a brutal year for LV fans. Plus, all recruits confirmed today that they are staying in orange. Evina might even stay as well. We shall see..

I will say this to UCONN fans. Losing a legend like Pat makes for a really, really hard reality. You can't immediately replace the magic of a legend with another legend. Whenever Geno retires, it will be nearly impossible for anyone to ever do what he has done and is still doing at UCONN.

When he retires, would you prefer an assistant with no head coaching experience take over? A proven elite coach who wants a ton of money but has NO connection to UCONN? Would you want to take a risk on a UCONN legend who has been coaching for a few years and seems to be on the rise? Hard questions to answer.
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LV9 So happy for you that the CHW era is over.... it was bad bad really bad.... true... i am more hopeful and positive for you all than many are on Vol Nation..... If she can teach the game and garner respect amongst the players.... then good start....

Looks like Evina may stay.... if so good.... she and Holly apparently had issues.... but my interest is where will she play? what position... May be wrong but when recruited didsnt she have agreement that she would play one position or not play a certain position..... deeper you go into competition the more refined your basketball machine has to be....

Anyway good luck.... With the (my take) less than full commitment to Womens hoops at least financially.... i think Harper was good hire....
 
I have a hard time seeing her as a worse overall coach than Holly. What will be interesting is if she can continue to keep top recruits heading to Knoxville. Harper will have a lot to work with next year.
 
Holly was nice a person you could hope to ever meet....Perhaps she was too nice. But, it was obvious the woman did not know offensive basketball....

The fan base saw early her offensive limitations and her stubbornness to adapt to the modern game was a 7 year hindrance..........Other than throw the ball to the big girl, that was about it.
 
Sound like the 2 finalists were Harper and Fargas. Would either have been interviewed for the job were they not Tennessee grads?
 
UConnCat said:
Sound like the 2 finalists were Harper and Fargas. Would either have been interviewed for the job were they not Tennessee grads?
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Nope

if you had blind resumes and removed the Tennessee tag, none of them would be given the time of day IMO

Nikki must be in a rage right now that she didn't get the job over Harper. She has literally been pushing for years to get back as a coach at Tennessee. Add insult to injury, her star player Chloe just won Baylor a national title. What a week for her lol

DelectableMelodicFlyinglemur-size_restricted.gif
 
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When Geno retires, you guys will interview former players, and his assistants too...Just the way it is/was/will be...

Fargas is Holly's best friend...Although, if interviewed, I don't think she was ever a serious candidate...

Kellie is home now...The rest of the story will be determined on the basketball court....So let it be written, so let it be done.
 
SECbbfan24 said:
Nope

if you had blind resumes and removed the Tennessee tag, none of them would be given the time of day IMO

Nikki must be in a rage right now that she didn't get the job over Harper. She has literally been pushing for years to get back as a coach at Tennessee. Add insult to injury, her star player Chloe just won Baylor a national title. What a week for her lol

DelectableMelodicFlyinglemur-size_restricted.gif
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If Banghart from Princeton, FLJ from Buffalo, Smith from Elon, or Coach Abe from UCF were Tennessee grads, they would've have been seriously considered for the job. Harper will have more to work with and have more support than she had when she was at NC State.
 
Big Shoulders said:
When Geno retires, you guys will interview former players, and his assistants too...Just the way it is/was/will be...

Fargas is Holly's best friend...Although, if interviewed, I don't think she was ever a serious candidate...

Kellie is home now...The rest of the story will be determined on the basketball court....So let it be written, so let it be done.
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You are projecting what has happened at Tennessee twice onto UConn's future which makes it totally theoretical but you state it as an absolute.

Giving former players & assistants an interview is one thing. Seriously considering them and then hiring them is something else entirely.
 
LesMis89 said:
You are projecting what has happened at Tennessee twice onto UConn's future which makes it totally theoretical but you state it as an absolute.

Giving former players & assistants an interview is one thing. Seriously considering them and then hiring them is something else entirely.
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When any coach retires, or is fired, there is usually a search conducted for a replacement, is that not so? Is that not an absolute? The future of any sports program is never set in solid concrete, but often founded in the shifting sands of time, with it's many variables of chance ....

UConn may reinvent the wheel when Geno retires...So be it, if you guys do.
 
No reinventing the wheel at all.

I made a distinction between interviewing and hiring. Neither Harper nor Fargas have coaching resumes that merit àn interview for a program holding the distinction of Tennessee except as alumni. But it wouldn't be the first courtesy interview ever conducted.

But hiring either of them is a different matter. Harper may surprise. I'm sure she'll do her best.

However, as a UConn fan, the hiring pleases me.
 
LesMis89 said:
No reinventing the wheel at all.

I made a distinction between interviewing and hiring. Neither Harper nor Fargas have coaching resumes that merit àn interview for a program holding the distinction of Tennessee except as alumni. But it wouldn't be the first courtesy interview ever conducted.

But hiring either of them is a different matter. Harper may surprise. I'm sure she'll do her best.

However, as a UConn fan, the hiring pleases me.
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Then we agree on something, which is always a positive thing.
 
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