Russell down to 2

[Bestiarius]

I think what you're missing is that it was still Pat's team, no matter how you sliced it. The players were playing for Pat. The game plan belonged to Pat. The discipline came from Pat. The praise they were seeking was from Pat. Pat was the head coach, just not the one yelling out the in game instruction, but it was still her game plan. Going forward, the players will play for Holly. Holly will set the game plans and Holly will work to execute her own game plan. So no, Pat didn't question Holly, because Holly was there executing what Pat wanted done. Even in the huddles, Holly would gather with Pat first and then go over to the players with instructions. Sometimes, during time outs and half time, Pat was still the one delivering the message. Going forward, Holly will deliver her own message. I'm sure it will be similar, but I'm also betting some things will be unique.

The empirical evidence appears to show Holly’s coaching skills to be lacking. A lot of what you are talking about is intangible. I don’t blame you for being optimistic, but you’ve come to a place that administers reality not validation. If you want confirmation of your opinions, The Summitt is the place to be. But, since you’re here:

Perhaps Pat’s interference last year helped the team. Who knows for sure? Perhaps without Pat’s influence this year, it could be much worse. But, I wonder how much difference there will be in Holly’s demeanor. Pat is still around and at a pretty good salary for someone that is out of the picture. How confident are you that Pat will not continue to exert her influence? I can’t see Holly telling Pat to butt out.

The administration didn’t exhibit much confidence in Holly based on the relatively low salary of $485k which puts her way down on the list of best paid coaches. Money isn’t everything, but this does hurt her status. Also, the combining of the athletic departments is another question mark on the women’s program.

Thinking that the Yum Center does not affect UT isn’t realistic. Everything competitors do to improve their programs affects other programs, particularly those that are geographically close and similar in type. Existence of Yum degrades UTs program in the same way that lack of success, administrative turmoil, recruiting difficulty does - a slow degradation.

It appears that there has been a general loss of Lady Vol prestige. Most of what is written still revolves around Pat. Not much about Holly or the current team. Game attendance has been declining. With The Summit web site going pay, even less buzz is available to most – out of sight, out of mind. The volume of posting on The Summitt has shown a marked decline in volume. Even the free sites aren’t showing much activity. An indication of flagging interest?

Lots of bragging about the “tough” schedule for this year but still afraid to play Uconn. What’s up with that?

 

[UcMiami]

I have no inside info nor did I watch a lot of TN games last year, but ... I do not think the situation at TN last year is any kind of measure for Holly as a head coach - she may be good, she may be bad, she may be middle of the road, but we will not find out until she has a chance to perform as THE head coach.
Not only was Pat head coach last year, but it was also supposed to be a fairly equal distribution of responsibilities for the other three coaches, and to some degree I am sure they were jocking for position among themselves. No idea when the final decision was made on Holly taking over, but I do not believe it was made during the season. On top of the coaching by committee approach, everyone connected with that program had to going through incredible emotional upheaval - players, coaches, and all the support staff.
I am not trying to be an appologist for Holly - just stating that evaluating her performance on last year's product on the floor is probably not fair.

 

[Alydar]

Suddenly (to at least one LV fan) Pat goes from the premier coach and motivator in all of wcbb to a boss standing behind a long-time assistant second-guessing every decision? WOW! So Pat is no longer a solution to problems but a source of problems?

This is just what many outside of Knoxville predicted a year ago. But the orange hoard quickly attacked anyone suggesting exactly what this LV fan is describing as what happened last year on the LV bench. And now? According to the visitor it's business as usual again. Holly has complete control and the orange express is back on track. Pat is gone but those who remain along with a couple of new assistants have made up for her departure? Recruits who were fighting for the opportunity to play for Pat are now equally eager to play for Holly?

There have been many examples of coaching icons who have retired (or been fired) and what the aftermath was like. UCLA, Indiana, N Carolina are good examples. In each case the program slid under the new coach. And the new coach doesn't last very long. It's an almost impossible situation for them. Anything good that happens is credited to the legacy of the icon while any loss is the fault of the new coach. Every time Holly makes a move in a close game the fans and the media will be asking "what would Pat have done"? It's human nature. Pat being in the stands instead of on the bench will make little difference. Tenn will have another 20+ win season, but any thoughts of getting beyond the S16 is nothing bt irrational exuberance.

 

[doggydaddy]

doggydaddy, it is common knowledge that tenn is in the top two for russell and davis, and probably in the top 5 for scaife,williams,reimer. also pursuing cooper,dahlman,small,harper

Russell for sure. But Davis dropped TN. Now TN is in her top 2? Doubtful.

Reimer is going to ND. Williams has 10 schools listed.

Pursuing is one thing. Getting a verbal is a long way from that.

You could get 2. You could get zero additions.

 

[Bayareahusky]

UcMiami - I would take exception with your statement that duties last year were distributed fairly equally amongst the 3 asst coaches..... duties were passed on to Holly to be Chief Operating Officer of the LVs..... any indication or insinuation that the environment was replete with uncertainty relative to who was in charge would be largely false. Pat casts a big shadow yes, but she signed off last year on HW coaching the games as top dog over Dean and Micki.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Yeah, those on the Summitt who had inside knowledge of the team all pointed to Warlick as being the one who had the commanding HC responsibilities, and it was "Holly should do this ..." and "Holly should do that ..." type of game reviews. Having the authority and being able to use it are two very different things though.

But the situation was extraordinarily difficult for Warlick on so many levels, from having your revered mother-figure type coach getting ever deeper into that cruel disease, to the grandiose delusions of a fan base that thought they were due an NC with last year's group, to the PG issues, and that a big senior class was riding into a fading sunset and she had to ride with them. Following coaching legends is indeed a tough position, because Vol fans' memories of Ball State have already been expunged, so unless Warlick can quickly deliver the same result that Pat is remembered for always giving them, the potential for a pitchfork uprising there is huge. Trouble is, she just doesn't have the street cred to get the top recruits having basically been a shadow coach of a dominating figure for many years. That might be semi-impressive if she was stepping in at MTSU, but not UTenn.

 

[tennfanatic00]

Russell for sure. But Davis dropped TN. Now TN is in her top 2? Doubtful.

Reimer is going to ND. Williams has 10 schools listed.

Pursuing is one thing. Getting a verbal is a long way from that.

You could get 2. You could get zero additions.

DD, we do already have Tucker verballed.

I can also vouch from legit sources that Davis is seriously considering Tennessee and we are back on her list. I'd say we're in pretty good shape to land a couple more names in 2013.

 

[doggydaddy]

DD, we do already have Tucker verballed.

I can also vouch from legit sources that Davis is seriously considering Tennessee and we are back on her list. I'd say we're in pretty good shape to land a couple more names in 2013.

I am well aware of Tucker. I should have said additional recruits. Legit sources? Is that what Maria is? Until the ink is dry on the LOI.... Well you get my point.

 

[Wonkster]

... Jeff Walz is a year away from being certifiably overrated...

Devastating assessment.

 

[Bestiarius]

DD, we do already have Tucker verballed.

I can also vouch from legit sources that Davis is seriously considering Tennessee and we are back on her list. I'd say we're in pretty good shape to land a couple more names in 2013.

What do your legit sources say about the status of Tucker's ACL injury? Also, regarding the Davis list, is that the same list Diamond D is on? The big question is, is Davis on Tenn's list. Legit sources say she isn't.

 

[Coler]

Tyler Scaife(HG #9) just released her top 5 list with Kentucky, LSU, Ohio State, Rutgers and Tennessee. Go RU.

 

[tennfanatic00]

By sources, I mean those personally close to me, not hearsay over the internet.

Kaela and Tennessee have been talking recently. It is by no means a done deal, but the prospects of her landing in Knoxville are much higher than they were even a month back. Both sides are open to it.

And to mention Tucker's ACL injury is in very poor taste, IMO.

 

[tennfanatic00]

I will add that I am quite excited about Tennessee being on several recruits' short lists. 2013 is a big test for the new coaching staff.

If they can land a few big names, I think Tennessee will be just fine. If not, things will get tense.

By no means are we guaranteed any recruit and the process can change in the blink of an eye. we'll see how it all unfolds in the fall. Until the fax lady sings, I won't be counting any chickens.

 

[Bestiarius]

By sources, I mean those personally close to me, not hearsay over the internet.
And to mention Tucker's ACL injury is in very poor taste, IMO.

How is it in poor taste? I was hoping the news might be good, and you seem to be in the know.

 

[avolfan]

doggydaddy, it is common knowledge that davis is down to UT and UGA. fences are being mended and I like UT's chance. top 5 documented by recruiting services for 3 other top 20 players.

 

[tennfanatic00]

How is it in poor taste? I was hoping the news might be good, and you seem to be in the know.

Sorry Best...I thought it was a jab that she was hurt.

The only news I have heard is that she tore her ACL. No idea on how severe a tear it is or if there was any collateral damage.

 

[OneTrickPony]

Sorry Best...I thought it was a jab that she was hurt.

The only news I have heard is that she tore her ACL. No idea on how severe a tear it is or if there was any collateral damage.

Let's hope she mends quickly...

 

[UcMiami]

Sorry Best...I thought it was a jab that she was hurt.

The only news I have heard is that she tore her ACL. No idea on how severe a tear it is or if there was any collateral damage.

She stayed for the rest of the tournament so I doubt it has been checked out completely yet - not surprising as doctors typically want to wait for the swelling to subside before really figuring out what has happened.

 

[Bestiarius]

Sorry Best...I thought it was a jab that she was hurt.

The only news I have heard is that she tore her ACL. No idea on how severe a tear it is or if there was any collateral damage.

The play during which it happened didn't seem like anything at all. Just normal movement. I saw that she was on her feet with a cast the next day and was hoping it was a positive sign.

I've read that the bone structure of females predisposes them to ACL injuries. Something about the hips being wider than males so that the legs come down to the knee at an angle. I wonder if anyone is doing research to determine if some kind of simple brace could be developed that might improve a girl's chances to prevent that kind of injury, perhaps mandatory for girls whose geometry is such that they are at high risk.

In any case, wishing her a speedy recovery.

 

[Alydar]

doggydaddy, it is common knowledge that davis is down to UT and UGA. fences are being mended and I like UT's chance. top 5 documented by recruiting services for 3 other top 20 players.

Gee, I remember back when she "decommitted" the general feeling on the Summitt was that her mother was poison and that they pitied the coach who gets her. What changed?

 

[OneTrickPony]

Gee, I remember back when she "decommitted" the general feeling on the Summitt was that her mother was poison and that they pitied the coach who gets her. What changed?

Their prospects of getting her...