Tennessee 2025, part 2

[Phil]

Well…. Some on Volnation believe Edward’s will come in and turn the program around. “Shes better than most post players in college right now”.

Early in the season, one of the Vol nation posters declared that Jaida Civil was the best freshman. They didn't mean on the Tennessee team, they didn't even mean in the SEC, they declared she was the best freshman the country, so I trust you understand that I don't take VolNation proclamations too seriously. (Don't get me wrong, Civil is a talent, and after a slow start she's been playing better lately, but I don't believe she's in any serious discussion for NFOY.)

 

[JstVisiting]

7 losses in last 9 games how is Tenessse ranked you cannot tell me there’s no SEC bias in these polls. Nova should be ranked as well as their men’s team.

If you think the voters are biased, you should see those hatin' computers.

Net has Tennessee 22, Nova 35
Massey Tennessee 20, Nova 40
SonnyMoore Tennessee 21, Nova 38

I would agree with anyone who drops Tennessee, but there isn't a conspiracy .
Nova ain't played nobody Pawllllll

 

[DefenseBB]

I will say VolNation is a "passionate fan base" and they have actually evolved-they now admit they are one of the TWO top programs in WCBB, which for them is quite an admission.

It's year 2 of this Caldwell experiment and while I don't she is the answer, she is not going to be fired this year. At least Danny White broke from the Pat coaching tree by hiring Kim Caldwell but would they ever consider hiring a man for the coach if/when the time comes?

Bottom line is very few schools will throw money at a non-revenue program. Texas and LSU did, and as Tennessee is in their conference, they may have to rethink their strategy. What "known" coach would want to take that program is anyone's guess as I just don't think it is really as great a job as VolNation asserts it is. Honestly, that last time Tennessee was relevant was 10 years ago when they made back to back Elite 8 appearances. The game has evolved significantly more since then with better coaching, more depth of talent and more schools putting money into their WCBB programs. It's tougher world out there. Heck, even within the SEC the top 6 Programs are SC, Texas, LSU, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Vanderbilt now. Ole Miss wants to think they are there but they aren't so Tennessee is already going to be fighting for scraps.

Holly was regularly able to get top recruits to Rocky Top, albeit they were a disjointed lot whereas Kellie Jolly-Harper was not able to lure any top HS recruits, only the transfer portal disenfranchised (Rikea Jackson/Talaysia Cooper). Kim has at least recruited well but whether she can get them to play as a team and achieve high level success is unknown. But as they say "you can't make chicken salad out of chicken sh_t" so having good players is better than not having good players.

Meanwhile, we here on the BY just sit back and watch...cue the popcorn eating meme...

 

[JstVisiting]

But but but they played UConn and SC lol. If a ranked BE team was in the top 25 and lost 7 of 9 do they even sniff the receiving votes category.

No. Neither would a Patriot League team that lost two. Opponents are not fungible.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Title or bust is a steep expectation for a program that hasn’t ever won a title, let alone made a Final Four in 20 years. The level of history and expectations is far different at a program like Tennessee compared to Duke, I don’t think it’s fair to equate the two. Tennessee has one of the strongest and most demanding fan bases in the country and the pressure is on quickly if you can’t get results from the get go. The level of expectation just isn’t the same in Durham and it makes the job a heck of a lot more desirable IMO.

Kara’s done a tremendous job at Duke and I’d be shocked if she left. Didn’t have a great experience applying for the Tennessee gig and I’m sure she sees firsthand how

She’s turned the program around and is recruiting extremely well. Lots of parallels between her and what Shea is doing at Vanderbilt. Duke won the ACC Tournament last year and came a bucket away from a Final Four. This year they’ve had a remarkable turnaround and will likely win the ACC regular season. Going forward they are positioned to be a top 5-10 team for years to come with lots of young talent in the pipeline, even without SEC level funding.

You're entitled to your opinions. As a longtime supporter/follower of Duke, I am entitled to my expectations. Building back a program is nice. Want to make waves in this sport? Start getting to Final 4s. Gail did. Joanne did not. We've been there and done that with a Joanne-caliber coach. It's time to see if Kara is more of a Gail-caliber coach.

I don't know why people (and yes this includes you, bballnut) like to bristle over what should be reasonable expectations of this program while we've seen programs like Notre Dame and Louisville come into the ACC and completely take over, a program like NC State be revived enough to reach a Final 4 (and could've reached another), and programs like Syracuse and Virginia Tech come out of left field to reach one--all within about a decade's time. Meanwhile, back in Durham...

I don't want to talk about what the program could be. I want to see results. Enough talk about the potential. Let's see fulfillment.

 

[Vowelguy]

I will say VolNation is a "passionate fan base" and they have actually evolved-they now admit they are one of the TWO top programs in WCBB, which for them is quite an admission.

It's year 2 of this Caldwell experiment and while I don't she is the answer, she is not going to be fired this year. At least Danny White broke from the Pat coaching tree by hiring Kim Caldwell but would they ever consider hiring a man for the coach if/when the time comes?

Highly doubtful. In part given legacy, but also the top conferences have shifted to almost all female coaches.

off top of my head so I may be off ...
SEC: 12/16 ? TX KY MSS AUB
B1G: 15/18? NW OSU NW
ACC: 14/18? PITT LOU NCS CLM

it's only when you get down the food chain that you get more men ...
B12: 8/16? BYU UT HOU TCU KAN KSS ISU WV
BgE: 5/11 ?

 

[DefenseBB]

My point is you limit your pool of candidates when you only consider legacy applicants or only Females. VolNation wants a "big name" coach but I am at a loss to whom they actually think they could get. It is not going to be Staley, Mulkey or Lawson.

I guess Walz would still be a possibility but is he the answer? They have touted Brenda Frese as well, which I am not sure she would leave her situation.

If I were to wear a "gawdy orange t-shirt" I guess I would put Scott Rueck of Oregon State, Jan Jensen from Iowa, Teri Moren from Indiana or the current recruiting Queen-Lindsay Gottlieb on the potential candidate list. For that matter, add Cori Close to check her interest.

 

[GamecockFam]

I will say VolNation is a "passionate fan base" and they have actually evolved-they now admit they are one of the TWO top programs in WCBB, which for them is quite an admission.

It's year 2 of this Caldwell experiment and while I don't she is the answer, she is not going to be fired this year. At least Danny White broke from the Pat coaching tree by hiring Kim Caldwell but would they ever consider hiring a man for the coach if/when the time comes?

Bottom line is very few schools will throw money at a non-revenue program. Texas and LSU did, and as Tennessee is in their conference, they may have to rethink their strategy. What "known" coach would want to take that program is anyone's guess as I just don't think it is really as great a job as VolNation asserts it is. Honestly, that last time Tennessee was relevant was 10 years ago when they made back to back Elite 8 appearances. The game has evolved significantly more since then with better coaching, more depth of talent and more schools putting money into their WCBB programs. It's tougher world out there. Heck, even within the SEC the top 6 Programs are SC, Texas, LSU, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Vanderbilt now. Ole Miss wants to think they are there but they aren't so Tennessee is already going to be fighting for scraps.

Holly was regularly able to get top recruits to Rocky Top, albeit they were a disjointed lot whereas Kellie Jolly-Harper was not able to lure any top HS recruits, only the transfer portal disenfranchised (Rikea Jackson/Talaysia Cooper). Kim has at least recruited well but whether she can get them to play as a team and achieve high level success is unknown. But as they say "you can't make chicken salad out of chicken sh_t" so having good players is better than not having good players.

Meanwhile, we here on the BY just sit back and watch...cue the popcorn eating meme...

What is with the Ole Miss shade? They've accomplished more than Vanderbilt this decade and are pretty much on par or better with what Kentucky has accomplished with exception to the lone SEC tournament championship. They had a good run of finishing around #4 in the SEC and are always sweet 16 threats since Coach Yo took over. Have we forgotten the Stanford upset in the NCAA tournament?

In reality only South Carolina (multiple national champs and SEC reg season/tournament champs), Texas (SEC regular season co. champ, final four, etc.) LSU (national champ) and Kentucky (SEC tournament champ) have done anything significant in the SEC this decade. If you want to add in Big 12 accomplishments then add Oklahoma too. You cannot call Ole Miss a pretender but not include Kentucky and Vanderbilt in that category.

 

[Vowelguy]

My point is you limit your pool of candidates when you only consider legacy applicants or only Females. VolNation wants a "big name" coach but I am at a loss to whom they actually think they could get. It is not going to be Staley, Mulkey or Lawson.

I guess Walz would still be a possibility but is he the answer? They have touted Brenda Frese as well, which I am not sure she would leave her situation.

If I were to wear a "gawdy orange t-shirt" I guess I would put Scott Rueck of Oregon State, Jan Jensen from Iowa, Teri Moren from Indiana or the current recruiting Queen-Lindsay Gottlieb on the potential candidate list. For that matter, add Cori Close to check her interest.

Tough to poach from the B1G. And a lot of the coaches you mentioned have personal ties to those areas/schools. Better chance to get someone from the B12, ACC, or lower.

 

[WBBTakeover]

What is with the Ole Miss shade? They've accomplished more than Vanderbilt this decade and are pretty much on par or better with what Kentucky has accomplished with exception to the lone SEC tournament championship. They had a good run of finishing around #4 in the SEC and are always sweet 16 threats since Coach Yo took over. Have we forgotten the Stanford upset in the NCAA tournament?

In reality only South Carolina (multiple national champs and SEC reg season/tournament champs), Texas (SEC regular season co. champ, final four, etc.) LSU (national champ) and Kentucky (SEC tournament champ) have done anything significant in the SEC this decade. If you want to add in Big 12 accomplishments then add Oklahoma too. You cannot call Ole Miss a pretender but not include Kentucky and Vanderbilt in that category.

UConn and Tennessee fans are always dumping on Ole Miss, which is strange considering that the program was in absolute ruins (thanks to the brilliance of Rick Insell's son) before Coach Yo arrived (and she had to beg for an interview, which I'm assuming she knocked out of the park). I'll give Tennessee fans credit for consistency in them not being impressed, as Kellie Harper yielded similar results but was still ousted. But UConn fans? Same fans who are constantly promoting Shea Ralph and Carla Berube? Zero Sweet 16 berths between those two as head coaches. Coach Yo has them both beat.

 

[Puppy Love]

UConn and Tennessee fans are always dumping on Ole Miss, which is strange considering that the program was in absolute ruins (thanks to the brilliance of Rick Insell's son) before Coach Yo arrived (and she had to beg for an interview, which I'm assuming she knocked out of the park). I'll give Tennessee fans credit for consistency in them not being impressed, as Kellie Harper yielded similar results but was still ousted. But UConn fans? Same fans who are constantly promoting Shea Ralph and Carla Berube? Zero Sweet 16 berths between those two as head coaches. Coach Yo has them both beat.

I’ve said this more than once and I’ll keep saying it every chance I get. I don’t care if the she is mother Theresa, Coach Yo lost every shred of credibility and respect when she added Quentin Hillsman to her staff. I can’t understand any athlete going to that program after what he did at Syracuse. I don’t care how much he’s rehabbed his image. As far as I know, Shea and Carla are decent caring human beings. I’ll take that any day of the week.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I’ve said this more than once and I’ll keep saying it every chance I get. I don’t care if the she is mother Theresa, Coach Yo lost every shred of credibility and respect when she added Quentin Hillsman to her staff. I can’t understand any athlete going to that program after what he did at Syracuse. I don’t care how much he’s rehabbed his image. As far as I know, Shea and Carla are decent caring human beings. I’ll take that any day of the week.

Okay, that I understand. I was referring to her basketball record.

 

[Vowelguy]

I believe she resigned from the UT Board of Trustees due to lack of diversity in the Athletic Department Leadership.

One funny comment I saw at some point: “Tenn won’t hire Kara because she’s a lesbian.”

Yeah, Tennessee has never had a lesbian as a WCBB coach. 😂

 

[cancontent]

Highly doubtful. In part given legacy, but also the top conferences have shifted to almost all female coaches.

off top of my head so I may be off ...
SEC: 12/16 ? TX KY MSS AUB
B1G: 15/18? NW OSU NW
ACC: 14/18? PITT LOU NCS CLM

it's only when you get down the food chain that you get more men ...
B12: 8/16? BYU UT HOU TCU KAN KSS ISU WV
BgE: 5/11 ?

Think you meant to include ORG for one of the NW's.

 

[JeannoCT]

One funny comment I saw at some point: “Tenn won’t hire Kara because she’s a lesbian.”

Yeah, Tennessee has never had a lesbian as a WCBB coach. 😂

Kara and her husband have been married since 2008.

 

[DefenseBB]

@GamecockFam and @WBBTakeover I find it curious you are supporting “underachieving Sam” as that is exactly who I am throwing shade at. For the uninitiated, Sam is in year 4 and has finished 9-7; 8-8; 7-9 and will most likely finish 6-10 this year, although he could lose at Texas A&M and finish 5-11 which is not exactly killing it. He lost numerous players to other SEC programs and his team is not peaking in late February, if anything, they are regressing. He is not the answer.

Not sure how my actual analysis to note that MSU is underachieving turned into a “Carla or Shea” discussion so maybe throttle back on that. This thread is about coaches on the “Hot Seat” and neither of those two are anywhere close. Additionally, neither I nor anyone else referenced them as an “heir apparent” to Geno so withhold your angst until a more appropriate thread.

 

[CockyMecha]

UConn and Tennessee fans are always dumping on Ole Miss, which is strange considering that the program was in absolute ruins (thanks to the brilliance of Rick Insell's son) before Coach Yo arrived (and she had to beg for an interview, which I'm assuming she knocked out of the park). I'll give Tennessee fans credit for consistency in them not being impressed, as Kellie Harper yielded similar results but was still ousted. But UConn fans? Same fans who are constantly promoting Shea Ralph and Carla Berube? Zero Sweet 16 berths between those two as head coaches. Coach Yo has them both beat.

And Harper didn't have the benefit of Danny White's open NIL wallet.

 

[EricSD]

I read on their board from several people that Kara apparently burned bridges on her way out of Tennessee. Someone here said somethingi about resigning from the board of trustees. Makes sense. But let's be honest - Duke is light years better than Tennessee as a school, much easier to recruit to, and Kara is enjoying nice success there. Other than Tennessee being her Alma Mater, why on earth would she leave Duke? It would be like leaving Stanford or Notre Dame for Tennessee. Just seems illogical to me.

Tennessee fans also seem to think that if the AD REALLY wants to put Tennessee back on top, then it's time to open the wallet because they COULD get Mukley, Staley, Walz, etc. if they wanted. A lower hanging fruit would be Baranczyk (Oklahoma) or one other (I forget who). Personally I think the fans are delusional, but they point to Tennessee's rich history (which really ended in 2012 - fully 14 years ago) as well as their conference - The SEC, which is fair. Great conference.

IMHO a coach even of Baranczyk's level would need to be supremely confident to go to Tennessee. Anything short of consistent sweet 16's / elite 8's will earn the ire of fans and put them on the short track for termination. Unless they were to almost double Jennie's salary, why would she leave the great situation she has in Oklahoma?

The sense of entitlement of some (many?) fans on their board is entertaining for sure. Tennessee has one of the most rabid fan bases in the nation. Maybe it will calm down over the next 20 years as some of the older fans who remember the glory days pass away, but 14 years ago isn't all that long and there will be lots of fans with long memories.

I think Tennessee did the right thing in hiring Caldwell - an outsider with a different style and perspective. BUT she's recruited a bunch of athletes with some hoops skills but precious little team first mentality (and they seem to have no problem playing overly physical - which fans have whined about non-stop when it finally gets called in games).

It looks like there are some serious chemistry issues, and given her demand that the team play HER STYLE, I would not be surprised to see some transfers. She's not really teaching offense, and their defense is poor after the initial full court trapping press. Also, I think adding Barker has done that team no favors. BUT I'm spouting a lot of speculation and guesses so it's highly possible I have it wrong.

 

[Vowelguy]

I read on their board from several people that Kara apparently burned bridges on her way out of Tennessee. Someone here said somethingi about resigning from the board of trustees. Makes sense. But let's be honest - Duke is light years better than Tennessee as a school, much easier to recruit to, and Kara is enjoying nice success there. Other than Tennessee being her Alma Mater, why on earth would she leave Duke? It would be like leaving Stanford or Notre Dame for Tennessee. Just seems illogical to me.

Tennessee fans also seem to think that if the AD REALLY wants to put Tennessee back on top, then it's time to open the wallet because they COULD get Mukley, Staley, Walz, etc. if they wanted. A lower hanging fruit would be Baranczyk (Oklahoma) or one other (I forget who). Personally I think the fans are delusional, but they point to Tennessee's rich history (which really ended in 2012 - fully 14 years ago) as well as their conference - The SEC, which is fair. Great conference.

IMHO a coach even of Baranczyk's level would need to be supremely confident to go to Tennessee. Anything short of consistent sweet 16's / elite 8's will earn the ire of fans and put them on the short track for termination. Unless they were to almost double Jennie's salary, why would she leave the great situation she has in Oklahoma?

The sense of entitlement of some (many?) fans on their board is entertaining for sure. Tennessee has one of the most rabid fan bases in the nation. Maybe it will calm down over the next 20 years as some of the older fans who remember the glory days pass away, but 14 years ago isn't all that long and there will be lots of fans with long memories.

I think Tennessee did the right thing in hiring Caldwell - an outsider with a different style and perspective. BUT she's recruited a bunch of athletes with some hoops skills but precious little team first mentality (and they seem to have no problem playing overly physical - which fans have whined about non-stop when it finally gets called in games).

It looks like there are some serious chemistry issues, and given her demand that the team play HER STYLE, I would not be surprised to see some transfers. She's not really teaching offense, and their defense is poor after the initial full court trapping press. Also, I think adding Barker has done that team no favors. BUT I'm spouting a lot of speculation and guesses so it's highly possible I have it wrong.

Illogical? Uhhhhh

So you think a coach at a
High academic school wouldn’t ever want
Employment at her
Alma mater??

 

[EricSD]

Illogical? Uhhhhh

So you think a coach at a
High academic school wouldn’t ever want
Employment at her
Alma mater??

Good grief. Please read what I posted. Hyperbole much? Come on man.

 

[cancontent]

@GamecockFam and @WBBTakeover I find it curious you are supporting “underachieving Sam” as that is exactly who I am throwing shade at. For the uninitiated, Sam is in year 4 and has finished 9-7; 8-8; 7-9 and will most likely finish 6-10 this year, although he could lose at Texas A&M and finish 5-11 which is not exactly killing it. He lost numerous players to other SEC programs and his team is not peaking in late February, if anything, they are regressing. He is not the answer.

Not sure how my actual analysis to note that MSU is underachieving turned into a “Carla or Shea” discussion so maybe throttle back on that. This thread is about coaches on the “Hot Seat” and neither of those two are anywhere close. Additionally, neither I nor anyone else referenced them as an “heir apparent” to Geno so withhold your angst until a more appropriate thread.

Is it? Last I checked this is the Tennessee 2025 thread.

 

[Vowelguy]

Kara and her husband have been married since 2008.

Has that been known? I feel like that was under the radar until recently?

 

[JeannoCT]

Has that been known? I feel like that was under the radar until recently?

I don’t think so. I’ve known it for a while.

 

[GamecockFam]

@GamecockFam and @WBBTakeover I find it curious you are supporting “underachieving Sam” as that is exactly who I am throwing shade at. For the uninitiated, Sam is in year 4 and has finished 9-7; 8-8; 7-9 and will most likely finish 6-10 this year, although he could lose at Texas A&M and finish 5-11 which is not exactly killing it. He lost numerous players to other SEC programs and his team is not peaking in late February, if anything, they are regressing. He is not the answer.

Not sure how my actual analysis to note that MSU is underachieving turned into a “Carla or Shea” discussion so maybe throttle back on that. This thread is about coaches on the “Hot Seat” and neither of those two are anywhere close. Additionally, neither I nor anyone else referenced them as an “heir apparent” to Geno so withhold your angst until a more appropriate thread.

This is a Tennessee thread.

Anyways, I was just challenging an off-handed comment in your post that basically threw Ole Miss under the bus and wasn't challenging your post as a whole.

 

[WBBTakeover]

@GamecockFam and @WBBTakeover I find it curious you are supporting “underachieving Sam” as that is exactly who I am throwing shade at. For the uninitiated, Sam is in year 4 and has finished 9-7; 8-8; 7-9 and will most likely finish 6-10 this year, although he could lose at Texas A&M and finish 5-11 which is not exactly killing it. He lost numerous players to other SEC programs and his team is not peaking in late February, if anything, they are regressing. He is not the answer.

Not sure how my actual analysis to note that MSU is underachieving turned into a “Carla or Shea” discussion so maybe throttle back on that. This thread is about coaches on the “Hot Seat” and neither of those two are anywhere close. Additionally, neither I nor anyone else referenced them as an “heir apparent” to Geno so withhold your angst until a more appropriate thread.

I don't support Sam Purcell at all. He's in way over his head.