Holly Warlick press conference

[j66kicker]

The idea that TN could bring in 'anyone' to coach WCBB is pretty naive - the only program that has really gone out and bought a WCBB coach is Texas, tempting Gail away from Duke. And I would say that was a mistake for both parties! And Texas has more money than anyone else so they can afford a prestige gesture in WCBB - no other AD is going to throw money at WCBB. The other 'name' coaches out there at D1 powerhouses have built their programs and are being paid very well already - why would they want to leave the program they built to make a parallel move to a program someone else built. Maybe a coach like Cole at OK might consider a move based on recruiting issues? but Kim or Jeff or Mitchell at KY - I just don't see it.

It is much more likely to tempt a good mid-major coach to make a move up in class or attract a smart assistant - Dawn and Jeff being the ones that jump to mind in that category. And Texas seems to have gotten right the second time around.

Sherri makes $1 million/year base plus fringes & incentives at OU, so why would she leave a program SHE built? No one is going to be able to get TN back to the dominant position where Pat once had them. That IS the expectation of the fans, though, so it's a lose-lose coaching opportunity.

 

[UcMiami]

Sherri makes $1 million/year base plus fringes & incentives at OU, so why would she leave a program SHE built? No one is going to be able to get TN back to the dominant position where Pat once had them. That IS the expectation of the fans, though, so it's a lose-lose coaching opportunity.

I agree that it is unlikely, but ... she has had trouble recruiting lately and I wonder if part of that is not tied to the location and the school - Uconn isn't exactly the greatest location, but it is I think better than OK. TN is still at the top of a lot of recruits' lists. That was the only reason I 'excepted' her.
( I had at least some question about Kim post Griner as the sort of rolling controversy dragged out - but I don't see her leaving any more.)

 

[j66kicker]

I agree that it is unlikely, but ... she has had trouble recruiting lately and I wonder if part of that is not tied to the location and the school - Uconn isn't exactly the greatest location, but it is I think better than OK. TN is still at the top of a lot of recruits' lists. That was the only reason I 'excepted' her.
( I had at least some question about Kim post Griner as the sort of rolling controversy dragged out - but I don't see her leaving any more.)

I went to OU as an undergrad, and lived in CT 20 years, so I can vouch for UCONN location being better than OK - heh heh. But I've been to Knoxville too, and doubt that TN is on the top of recruit's list because of "location" (other than locals who don't want to go too far from home). In any case they would have to pay Sherri (or Kim, of Jeff, etc.) a lot more than they're paying the combination of Holly & Pat.

 

[Kibitzer]

I went to OU as an undergrad, and lived in CT 20 years, so I can vouch for UCONN location being better than OK - heh heh. But I've been to Knoxville too, and doubt that TN is on the top of recruit's list because of "location" (other than locals who don't want to go too far from home). In any case they would have to pay Sherri (or Kim, of Jeff, etc.) a lot more than they're paying the combination of Holly & Pat.

And that just ain't gonna happen.

 

[intlzncster]

I seem to recall a little fella from out UVa way who hasn't done too shabby as a Head Coach...unless you're talking about staying at the same school...Then, I agree with your point.

Good assistant coaches often are not good head coaches.

Kevin Ollie.

Unless it's different in the women's game (I don't think it is). If you can coach, you can coach. Though it's not an easy ask to follow a legend.

 

[Icebear]

Again I said often. Also, Ollie did not have a long career as an assistant.

 

[EricSD]

The interesting thing is that people (both UCONN and Tennessee fans) are talking like there's even a possibility that Holly will get the boot. 2 kids she recruited aren't playing at the moment (Tucker and Russell), Harrison is also out and Deshields transferred over, and Tennessee landed what they believe is the PG of the future in T'ea Cooper.

There is nothing wrong with the recruiting Holly has been doing. In fact, I think her recent recruiting has been better than Pat's towards the end of Pat's career. Holly actually landed top 3 recruit Russell, got Diamond to transfer, and landed T'ea Cooper. However, I am of the opinion that the other players she recruited, even if they were top 10 according to certain recruiting sites, are solid but not spectacular players.

Tenn fans want to point to Moore, Middleton, Dunbar, Jones, and Reynolds as "really really good" players, when in reality they are no better than Ekmark or Sadie Edwards. My point is not that these kids aren't "good", but that they are likely solid role players and if they end up being starters, it's either because they far exceeded early expectations, or something else went wrong.

Anyway i'm sort of rambling but bottom line I think Holly has been recruiting relatively well all things considered and given the quality of players she has coming in (DD and Cooper) I think her job is safe for the next few years at the very least. Now if she can't coach those players up when they get there, that's a different story.

 

[Bestiarius]

There is nothing wrong with the recruiting Holly has been doing. In fact, I think her recent recruiting has been better than Pat's towards the end of Pat's career. Holly actually landed top 3 recruit Russell, got Diamond to transfer, and landed T'ea Cooper. However, I am of the opinion that the other players she recruited, even if they were top 10 according to certain recruiting sites, are solid but not spectacular players.

I think her job is safe for the next few years at the very least. Now if she can't coach those players up when they get there, that's a different story.

I agree there is nothing wrong with Holly's recruiting if you just go by rating service opinions. If you go by her team's needs and her talent evaluation of the available recruits, I feel she is lacking. Combine that with her apparent inability to develop players, and you have a hot mess on your hands.

Landing Russell is a good example of inability to analyze a player. Did she take the foot problems into consideration? There is a good chance Russell will have a difficult future and that Holly should be preparing for that eventuality. Diamond is another question mark, that was a Holly miss. Yes, she got her on the rebound, but failed the first time around. The big question in my mind is how well Holly will do handling DD.

I have a feeling that Holly will retire soon on her own volition. What she's going through can't be fun. How much longer can she withstand the criticism of Tenn's own fan base? Besides, the failure of her successor will bring a belated support for Holly from the fickle fan base, making her a hero in the end.

 

[sivad40]

Again I said often. Also, Ollie did not have a long career as an assistant.

That's a good point. The only long time assistant I think of at the momnt that did a good was UNC's Bill Guthridge and recruiting slipped during his time at UNC.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I agree UT will hang onto Holly for a good while yet...... as long as she wins (which she will), she will be safe...... of course i am sure she will not win to the standards set by the LV faithful...... but that is a change the base will have to accept I think, unless the AD shows the LV program some love..... It seems he is singularly focused on football......

And yes, I agree that Holly has recruited fairly well...... but she is having trouble developing her people..... the classic example is her players will not listen to her when she is teaching them the defensive stance..... she says they don't want to do it..... well that is her responsibility..... to have them follow her on direction...... this is her 4th season...... including the year she was running the team Pat's last year...... and she should have garnered a certain amount of respect by now.... but I do not think she has.....

Yes, Guthridge following Dean.... I never thought he was a good coach..... but others may disagree..... I think back to when Gene Bartow followed Wooden..... now THAT was difficult..... he struggled, but eventually found his water level as a successful coach at UAB

By the way, I saw 60 minutes sports last night, and the story on Tyler Summit..... I thought it was impressive..... painted a very good picture of him... I am anxious to see him coach in a game.....