Tennessee 2025, part 2

[Bigboote]

Clean slate?? She brought in her own coaching staff and pretty sure Cooper and Wynn were the only players on the team this year from the previous coaching staff. And Wynn left before post season stating senior day was the last straw. I’m not sure how much more clean slate she needs.
. . .

I wasn't familiar with the Kaiya Wynn situation so looked it up. I've been gradually losing respect for Caldwell through the season, and after reading about Senior Day, there may be no respect left to lose. Wynn had been on the UT squad for five years, missing last year with a torn Achilles, and not only did she not start the game, she was put in with 15 seconds left. Go ahead and start her, pull her at the first whistle. What's the point of having senior day if you don't honor (i. e., show a modicum of respect or affection) your seniors.

I'm primarily familiar with UConn, but I've seen all the seniors start on senior day at Maryland and Richmond. Is it not customary for seniors to start on Senior Day at other programs? Evidently Wynn was expecting it.

 

[DefenseBB]

I know it’s self inflicted and the AD did it to himself, but this is just plain pathetic and sad. As much is I loathe Tennessee and always will, I find myself feeling sorry for their fans.

You obviously do not venture onto VolNation or the Summitt as those posters are detestable. While I have some empathy that a once great program and beacon of women's basketball has had a brutal fall from grace, I mostly fear our program could suffer the same fate once Geno hangs up his whistle.

The Tennessee AD and the coach he chose have gotten exactly what they deserve. Have you seen her post game pressers? Or his complete lack of acknowledgement this program needs a lot of work?

She currently has 1 returning player and I think 2 recruits coming in. While @Vowelguy notes many a mid-major has been able to fill out a roster for the next year when they had this many players to replace, none of those programs were competing in an elite conference with a rabid fan base.

I understand it is only year two of her contract but sometimes the writing on the wall is so offensive, you need to start all over and admit a colossal mistake. The same can and should be said of Iowa State, whose coach and AD are also in denial. It is time for Fennelly to retire and save something of the program he built.

 

[Phil]

I wasn't familiar with the Kaiya Wynn situation so looked it up. I've been gradually losing respect for Caldwell through the season, and after reading about Senior Day, there may be no respect left to lose. Wynn had been on the UT squad for five years, missing last year with a torn Achilles, and not only did she not start the game, she was put in with 15 seconds left. Go ahead and start her, pull her at the first whistle.

My recollection is that she wasn't put in. They didn't let her start the game as has been tradition, and with 15 seconds left in the game virtually over, they asked her to go in and she declined. They may have meant well, but it came across as insulting and I agree with her decision.

 

[Phil]

I'm primarily familiar with UConn, but I've seen all the seniors start on senior day at Maryland and Richmond. Is it not customary for seniors to start on Senior Day at other programs? Evidently Wynn was expecting it.

I think someone cited an example and I can't recall exactly but it may have been not a guaranteed start. However, even if it's not an absolute guarantee, it's common enough that if the coach were to decide that it wouldn't happen in this instance, that should be Part of a conversation between a coach and the player well prior to the game. She had many relatives in the stands probably were told by her that she would start, so the decision not to start her and more importantly not to give her a heads up in advance was very embarrassing.

 

[Vowelguy]

She currently has 1 returning player and I think 2 recruits coming in. While @Vowelguy notes many a mid-major has been able to fill out a roster for the next year when they had this many players to replace, none of those programs were competing in an elite conference

Before Coach Yo arrived, almost the entire Ole Miss roster transferred out.

And we know the Caldwell system is built to work with mediocre players.

 

[ec33]

I don't follow the last sentence.

I guess I stated it poorly. Just because a player is highly rated does not mean Geno wants that player on his team. Their are plenty of highly-rated players he passed on. They have to have the right fit both with their skills and with their personalities.

In Tennessee's case, they have to be able to play in a high pressing, large player rotation, environment. Normally that style of play is not for star players because they do not have the temperament for such an environment.

It is going to take a strong team atmosphere that are willing to sacrifice for each other without me-first players.

 

[ec33]

Clean slate?? She brought in her own coaching staff and pretty sure Cooper and Wynn were the only players on the team this year from the previous coaching staff. And Wynn left before post season stating senior day was the last straw. I’m not sure how much more clean slate she needs.

This years team was/is her team. She brought in all the highly talented players, same type of player. Shes admitted she doesn’t know how to recruit but ultimately she has the final say.

You would be surprised by who geno and staff has recruited. Who they thought would be a good fit until the player decided it wasn’t the fit for them

Did you notice where the whole thing blew up at the end of this season?

 

[JellyBean]

The Lady Vols are going to be interesting to watch navigating the portal. So many players but will they fit? Will coach adjust her coaching style to accommodate the incoming players? This is going to be a fun off season!!

 

[Vowelguy]

Will coach adjust her coaching style to accommodate the incoming players?

That’s an easy one.
Everything that has happened in the past month is clearly that she is going all in on her system.

I won’t be surprised if she takes a bunch of lower players who will buy in 100%.

 

[Geew1992]

The Lady Vols are going to be interesting to watch navigating the portal. So many players but will they fit? Will coach adjust her coaching style to accommodate the incoming players? This is going to be a fun off season!!

Coach said she dropped the style off f play in January. It was a mistake. And next year she will be all in on her style.

I def agree with @Vowelguy, the roster will be similar to players from her previous schools

 

[YoDore]

 

[USMC(ret)]

Wow… just wow. Stunned.

 

[Geew1992]

My question is why would these players listen to the assistant coach? I still think there was so much more going on.

 

[cancontent]

My question is why would these players listen to the assistant coach? I still think there was so much more going on.

Fair question, but this is all speculation being shared through "verified sources" through a sports radio announcer. Not sure if it's worth discussing further based on previous posts that were removed from the thread.

 

[bballnut90]

Oliviyah Edwards has reportedly removed all Tennessee related info out of her Instagram.

 

[bballnut90]

On a positive note, Chamique Holdsclaw has been named to the 2026 HOF class! Her college career doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves as she’s one of the best players of all time and is incredibly deserving. A big congrats to her.

 

[triaddukefan]

Oliviyah Edwards has reportedly removed all Tennessee related info out of her Instagram.

Gonna be interesting to see if I can hear the wails and gnashing of teeth coming out of East Tennessee in my backyard in a few minutes. My lawnmower is kinda loud, but there are a lot of Lady Vol fans... So...

 

[cancontent]

Oliviyah Edwards has reportedly removed all Tennessee related info out of her Instagram.

Gonna be interesting to see if I can hear the wails and gnashing of teeth coming out of East Tennessee in my backyard in a few minutes. My lawnmower is kinda loud, but there are a lot of Lady Vol fans... So...

Let the bidding wars begin.

 

[Iluvacc2]

Let the bidding wars begin.

I’m sure Mulkey is salivating

 

[CONNCAN]

Where will UCONN be as far as looking into Edwards potentially coming to Storrs?