Tennessee 2025, part 2

[WBBTakeover]

What other coach is gonna take the job for less? Dawn/Geno/Kim won’t. Do Vic or Cori want to risk their careers for less than monster money? I would guess that the same goes for Jeff and Wes . There is a lot of risk at Tenn. Kim Barnes Arico though Michigan has big sacks of money and less expectation

For five million a year, you can at least get the elite coaches to listen. NONE of them are making 5 million a year currently.

Neither Vic nor Cori are making half of 5 million a year. You don't think they'd at least listen to the sales pitch? You do realize that 5 million a year in WBB is monster money, right?

Kim Barnes Arico isn't making anywhere near 5 million a year at Michigan. She would be someone to target, as she does at least have a track record of success at the P4 level unlike the two you mentioned.

Neither Jeff nor Wes are making 5 million a year at their respective institutions. You'd be doubling their salaries. You don't think they'd jump for that reason alone?

A wnba coach wanting to raise her income?

Yes. Becky Hammon (who currently makes 1 million a year and is younger and far more accomplished at a higher level than Dawn Plitzuweit) is an example. Once you start throwing figures like 5 million a year out there, you're going to improve the candidate pool.

 

[Vowelguy]

My idea for Tennessee is a bridge coach. Someone proven that can get the program back to where it needs to be. Run the program for about 10 years and then Tennessee can find their long term coach.

I think Jeff Walz would be a great hire. He might be ready for a new challenge. And Tennessee should be able to offer more money (salary, for assistant coaches, and NIL).

I think sticking with Caldwell is probably delaying the inevitable. She seems in over her head.

This board laments the state of college sports these days … but then advocates a coach should be fired after 2 years? Mind you these are not disastrous Tory Verdi or Coquese years .

 

[YKCornelius]

This board laments the state of college sports these days … but then advocates a coach should be fired after 2 years? Mind you these are not disastrous Tory Verdi or Coquese years .

Touché! Another Boneyard headscratcher!

But is it a fickle General Women's Basketball board or something else?

I'm chalking the cognitive dissonance up to the annual gap between regular season and post-season, where the days seem endless without anything to dissipate fans' anxiety before tourney tip-off.

When I observe two Gamecock fans jousting with each other on a Tennessee thread about how much money should be thrown at potential coaches in order to takeover a Tennessee program, something is off kilter. The current world events isn't enough to fill the void or scratch the itch.

Fortunately, help is on the way as P4 tournaments start today......

 

[visitingcock]

Touché! Another Boneyard headscratcher!

But is it a fickle General Women's Basketball board or something else?

I'm chalking the cognitive dissonance up to the annual gap between regular season and post-season, where the days seem endless without anything to dissipate fans' anxiety before tourney tip-off.

When I observe two Gamecock fans jousting with each other on a Tennessee thread about how much money should be thrown at potential coaches in order to takeover a Tennessee program, something is off kilter. The current world events isn't enough to fill the void or scratch the itch.

Fortunately, help is on the way as P4 tournaments start today......

As one of those jousters, I approve of this post. 😁

 

[Stagnant]

“Back where the program needs to be.”
What is that?
For about ten years? They haven’t had a coach last that long since Pat.

They need to throw about 5 mil per year at a Mark Campbell or Dawn Plitzuweit “rising star.” Someone who has shown they can build a team from scratch at the P-5 level but is probably not at a “destination job.”

To me, the NCAA is professional sports. The players get paid, they don’t necessarily attend classes; gambling is involved. If Tennessee fans want to win now; they have a right to feel that way. They have been patient enough. Frankly, if the AD or president is preaching patience… I think they have a lot of gall for doing that.

I have a quick hook. I would have fired Graves at Oregon already.

Campbell. It is interesting you mention him. I think if Tennessee doesn’t want a bridge coach; they should hire Campbell. But I think he is riskier than Walz.

 

[BRS24]

For five million a year, you can at least get the elite coaches to listen. NONE of them are making 5 million a year currently.

Neither Vic nor Cori are making half of 5 million a year. You don't think they'd at least listen to the sales pitch? You do realize that 5 million a year in WBB is monster money, right?

Kim Barnes Arico isn't making anywhere near 5 million a year at Michigan. She would be someone to target, as she does at least have a track record of success at the P4 level unlike the two you mentioned.

Neither Jeff nor Wes are making 5 million a year at their respective institutions. You'd be doubling their salaries. You don't think they'd jump for that reason alone?


Yes. Becky Hammon (who currently makes 1 million a year and is younger and far more accomplished at a higher level than Dawn Plitzuweit) is an example. Once you start throwing figures like 5 million a year out there, you're going to improve the candidate pool.

Re Hammon, not sure she'd want to venture into what's' now the wild wild west of portal, transfers, and NIL. At least there are contracts with the W players.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Re Hammon, not sure she'd want to venture into what's' now the wild wild west of portal, transfers, and NIL. At least there are contracts with the W players.

Maybe not, for two million a year.

For five million a year? She's definitely listening and probably designing a staff in her head.

 

[Vowelguy]

Re Hammon, not sure she'd want to venture into what's' now the wild wild west of portal, transfers, and NIL. At least there are contracts with the W players.

Also W on an upswing so she stands to get more $$

 

[Geew1992]

Also W on an upswing so she stands to get more $$

Is there going to be a W is the real question.

 

[mudcat]

“Back where the program needs to be.”
What is that?
For about ten years? They haven’t had a coach last that long since Pat.

They need to throw about 5 mil per year at a Mark Campbell or Dawn Plitzuweit “rising star.” Someone who has shown they can build a team from scratch at the P-5 level but is probably not at a “destination job.”

Dawn is NOT leaving MN (unless they fire her, which is extremely unlikely). It's her dream position and the reason she left West Virginia after one year. Campbell or the coaches at Fairfield or Rhode Island are good options.

 

[mudcat]

You can't be serious!

You don't throw that kind of money at two unproven HCs. Plitzuweit is going to make her FIRST NCAA tournament appearance at Minnesota in THREE seasons! If that's worth 5 million, then I can think of far better candidates than her. Hell, Kim Caldwell is more accomplished at P4 than Plitzuweit with a Sweet 16 appearance and a win over UConn.

You toss that kind of money at these candidates and you will be replacing an AD. 5 million a year is Dawn/Geno/Kim Mulkey money ONLY.

I think Dawn Plitzuweit is a VERY good coach: look what she's done at MN with a team that has limited athletic talent. She also took SD to the Sweet 16 with even less talent. You're displaying your ignorance of basketball with the highlighted statement.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I think Dawn Plitzuweit is a VERY good coach: look what she's done at MN with a team that has limited athletic talent. She also took SD to the Sweet 16 with even less talent. You're displaying your ignorance of basketball with the highlighted statement.

What do you think "P4" means?

And you say that I'm displaying ignorance of basketball?

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I saw a Reddit comment saying Wynn can’t physically move well enough to defend after her Achilles injury. Thats an indictment on TN’s medical IMO but if true it’s understandable given how badly TN needed a win.

The fumble is that she clearly went into the game with different expectations and from what we’ve seen of Caldwell it’s not difficult to imagine her disregarding a heads-up discussion.

I do not think it's an indictment on UT at all considering some players never recover fully from those injuries and it's a fact that recovery is dependent on the healing and effort of the patient as much as anything else.

Also :

 

[packwrap]

Wow nice comments from Tessa Darby!!!

Someone in Knoxville teaching the players about the lost art of graciously taking the high road.😇

 

[cancontent]

Wow nice comments from Tessa Darby!!!

Someone in Knoxville teaching the players about the lost art of graciously taking the high road.😇

While I'm impressed in how she's responded, I'm not a fan that people thought it was necessary to bring her name into the discussion. That's not fair to her.

 

[JeannoCT]

Freshman Deniya Prawl listed as out or inactive for today’s Tennessee game. Interesting.

 

[Magy Cannon]

Freshman Deniya Prawl listed as out or inactive for today’s Tennessee game. Interesting.

Read that just this week she (Prawl) started following Coach Yo on X.

 

[JeannoCT]

Read that just this week she (Prawl) started following Coach Yo on X.

Yes I read that too. It will be interesting to see what the twins do.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Yes I read that too. It will be interesting to see what the twins do.

Hope it’s not one of those package deal offers again because I would pass. Twins don’t mean twin skills and their destinations should reflect that. Reminds me of parents who keep dressing their twins alike, but they no longer look the same.

 

[JeannoCT]

Hope it’s not one of those package deal offers again because I would pass. Twins don’t mean twin skills and their destinations should reflect that. Reminds me of parents who keep dressing their twins alike, but they no longer look the same.

Mia has talent. Just needs a good coach. Mya is probably a mid major player. Who knows if papa will allow them to go in separate journeys. Or if they want to be separate. Who knows??

 

[Geew1992]

Yes I read that too. It will be interesting to see what the twins do.

Volnation believes they are staying. Civil on the other hand....

 

[Puppy Love]

Hope it’s not one of those package deal offers again because I would pass. Twins don’t mean twin skills and their destinations should reflect that. Reminds me of parents who keep dressing their twins alike, but they no longer look the same.

It wouldn’t be the first time a school took one sister just to get the other. I think as long as schools are up front about it while recruiting, it’s fine. It just feels a little different because they are twins.

Edit: by ‘up front’, I mean honest about the odds of significant playing time.

 

[GamecockFam]

Yes I read that too. It will be interesting to see what the twins do.

I have also heard rumors from a month ago that Cooper's family was seen at South Carolina trying to talk to the coaching staff. Supposedly the story is that her family is contacting a bunch of universities and trying to gauge the likelihood that they would extend commitable offers if she were to forego the draft and enter the portal.

 

[Geew1992]

I have also heard rumors from a month ago that Cooper's family was seen at South Carolina trying to talk to the coaching staff. Supposedly the story is that her family is contacting a bunch of universities and trying to gauge the likelihood that they would extend commitable offers if she were to forego the draft and enter the portal.

I’m thinking her stock took a dive. She best to hit the portal

 

[Phil]

Hmmmm

 

[cabbie191]

For five million a year, you can at least get the elite coaches to listen. NONE of them are making 5 million a year currently.

Neither Vic nor Cori are making half of 5 million a year. You don't think they'd at least listen to the sales pitch? You do realize that 5 million a year in WBB is monster money, right?

Kim Barnes Arico isn't making anywhere near 5 million a year at Michigan. She would be someone to target, as she does at least have a track record of success at the P4 level unlike the two you mentioned.

Neither Jeff nor Wes are making 5 million a year at their respective institutions. You'd be doubling their salaries. You don't think they'd jump for that reason alone?


Yes. Becky Hammon (who currently makes 1 million a year and is younger and far more accomplished at a higher level than Dawn Plitzuweit) is an example. Once you start throwing figures like 5 million a year out there, you're going to improve the candidate pool.

I think I am an odd duck here when it comes to coaching salaries. I think they are generally obscene.

I recognize that the offer of a massive salary increase has attached to it recognition of perceived professional excellence and that can be highly motivating.

And for some, there is the attraction and challenge of righting a sinking ship.

But for the life of me, what does a $2 million annual salary (plus add on perks and other earning opportunities) allow you to buy that you can’t afford on $1 million/year? Does it make that much of a difference that you would give up coaching at a place where you are loved and respected for the additional income?

Just my perspective from someone who worked public service his entire career and never earned more than $55K but has lived comfortably and feels financially blessed in retirement.

 

[cabbie191]

I am thinking about Caldwell’s decision to not start her seniors on senior day.

Does anyone know if Geno’s tradition of starting seniors extends back to his first years when a win on Senior Night wasn’t highly expected?

 

[Phil]

I haven't fully researched this but I did see some Vol Nation posters stating that this wasn't unprecedented for Tennessee, there are other examples of seniors who did not start on senior night.

You raise a fair question about whether this has always been Geno's practice.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I think I am an odd duck here when it comes to coaching salaries. I think they are generally obscene.

I recognize that the offer of a massive salary increase has attached to it recognition of perceived professional excellence and that can be highly motivating.

And for some, there is the attraction and challenge of righting a sinking ship.

But for the life of me, what does a $2 million annual salary (plus add on perks and other earning opportunities) allow you to buy that you can’t afford on $1 million/year? Does it make that much of a difference that you would give up coaching at a place where you are loved and respected for the additional income?

Just my perspective from someone who worked public service his entire career and never earned more than $55K but has lived comfortably and feels financially blessed in retirement.

You're not wrong.

 

[Stagnant]

I think Tennessee is a lock tonight. I think Alabama is one team they match up really well with.