Tennessee parts ways with Kellie (Jolly) Harper [merged thread]

[cancontent]

Could Kenny Brooks take the Tennessee job and jilt Kentucky? Would be a lot easier to recruit at Tennessee.

That gives me flashbacks of Belichick and what happened when Parcells quit. That wasn't pretty. If Brooks could do that, which I highly doubt is possible, I don't want to imagine how nasty it could get between these two schools.

 

[Wildcatfan3]

Could Kenny Brooks take the Tennessee job and jilt Kentucky? Would be a lot easier to recruit at Tennessee.

lol no chance.

 

[ConnMotors]

If Tennessee wanted to stay with the Alumni theme isn’t Kyra Elzy available?

 

[UConnCat]

I’d hate to think the Tenn AD would do things without someone in mind for the job. Whoever the staff member is the AD wanted fired, he had to anticipate KJH would say no.

 

[Tonyc]

The problem for the LVs is Tenn boosters want their money going to Football and Mens BB and NOT Womens BB. To hire a coach without enough money looks like it could be a problem. For the LVs to try and get a big name coach while paying Kelly appro $550,000 a year for the next 4 years looks like it could be a problem too. Maybe an Asst Coach from a big named team like South Carolina, NC State, would be interested in the job or a good coach from a mid major.

 

[triaddukefan]

I hope they go that route but I see them gunning hard for Lawson. I hope Kara stays put though, she’s building such a good thing in Durham and it’d be a bummer to see that get disassembled.

I'll try to put this as delicately as I can. Lawson has a very promising core returning, and a great freshman class coming in. She needs a certain type of player to play for her... and that type of player isn't going to go to TN. She would have to change her whole recruiting strategy if she decided to leave Duke for TN.

 

[Vowelguy]

The problem for the LVs is Tenn boosters want their money going to Football and Mens BB and NOT Womens BB.

SEC schools have more than enough to spend on everything.

 

[DefenseBB]

I'll try to put this as delicately as I can. Lawson has a very promising core returning, and a great freshman class coming in. She needs a certain type of player to play for her... and that type of player isn't going to go to TN. She would have to change her whole recruiting strategy if she decided to leave Duke for TN.

What Strategy? Oh, you mean the one where 16 different players come and go via the portal to play for her in 4 years? That Strategy? Yeah, it's worked out great so far. Year 1, quite the season after 4 games, year 2-didn't qualify for any postseason play, Year 3 had a great regular season but lost in round 2 AT HOME to Colorado as a #3 seed, finally year 4, finished 7th in conference and made to the Sweet 16 with no signs of an offense or scheme. Keep in mind we don't know who will leave this year's team yet but my guess is at least 2.

So, keep whistling past the grave yard if you want to but I am full Ghostbusters gear!

 

[Vowelguy]

Whoever the staff member is the AD wanted fired, he had to anticipate KJH would say no.

If the story is true, and I have my doubts,
It HAD to be her husband. Nothing else makes sense.

 

[psconn]

maybe shea or carla will go to the vols rescue!

blasphemy.

 

[donalddoowop]

Dawn, Kim, and Vic are not available. Maybe Jeff is. Tenn hired KJH on the cheap. If they want someone good and experienced, they need to offer $2 million or so, not $700K.

With women's basketball blowing up now, it would be wise to look for the biggest name coach available.

 

[DefenseBB]

Megan Duffy is on a bunch of list. Miami is looking at her

Hmmm, I see Liza Karlen is in the portal. Is Coach Duffy leaving?

I just don't get all the "Meg Duffy" mania. She underachieved this year with a veteran squad where she was lucky to get a bid in the NCAAT despite placing 5th in a weak Big East conference this year. She should have easily vied with Creighton for 2nd but instead lost twice to St. John's and twice to Villanova. None of the 3 games with Connecticut were competitive losing by 31, 29, 29. She's lost in the 1st round each of three times she qualified for the NCAAT. One year was cancelled with COVID which she had a good squad, 2 years ago she won 2 games in the WNIT. She took over a good program at Marquette after Kieger left for PSU and she's done a decent job recruiting but the results the last 3 years of 13-7, 13-7, 11-7 in BE play don't scream "I am a P5 program lifting coach".

Color me highly suspect on her achieving anything of note at any program that hires her. I hope she stays, does really well to prove me wrong....

 

[huskeynut]

And the Tennessee women's basketball drama continues.

The AD needs to go outside the Tennessee family. This is a very difficult job to succeed in. Whoever takes the job will continually be compared to Pat Summitt. That is a no win situation.

 

[aceboon]

Kenny Brooks probably wishes he had waited a week

 

[donalddoowop]

I'll try to put this as delicately as I can. Lawson has a very promising core returning, and a great freshman class coming in. She needs a certain type of player to play for her... and that type of player isn't going to go to TN. She would have to change her whole recruiting strategy if she decided to leave Duke for TN.

I hope Lawson leaves just to see how you will react.

 

[triaddukefan]

Kenny Brooks probably wishes he had waited a week

For what? TN wouldn't make that kind of hire.

 

[cancontent]

What Strategy? Oh, you mean the one where 16 different players come and go via the portal to play for her in 4 years? That Strategy? Yeah, it's worked out great so far. Year 1, quite the season after 4 games, year 2-didn't qualify for any postseason play, Year 3 had a great regular season but lost in round 2 AT HOME to Colorado as a #3 seed, finally year 4, finished 7th in conference and made to the Sweet 16 with no signs of an offense or scheme. Keep in mind we don't know who will leave this year's team yet but my guess is at least 2.

So, keep whistling past the grave yard if you want to but I am full Ghostbusters gear!

In comparison to what's in place at TN, whatever she has going on, there's been progress every year. Fair to be skeptical, but highly doubt it's as dire as you lay it out here.

 

[FormerCTrez]

It's trending that if the AD throws money at Dawn, she'll leave SC.

I personally don’t think Dawn Staley will leave SCAR, unless she’s retiring. Why? Because the AD there has given her everything she needs, and will ask for, and her players are also very well taken care of. Also, she’s brought a winning culture to the school, plus, she’s loved by the folks in South Carolina, so there’s no way she’ll leave there for Tennessee.

 

[OviedoFLHusky]

Just waded through 25 pages of VolNation shock over this firing.

Most seemed to feel that though Kellie is a good person, it was time for a change in coach. Many also want to get away from hiring anyone that would be considered part of the "Summitt tree," and go after ("poach") a "big-time" hire.

This article has a suggested list of coaches that might consider the job:

Lady Vols basketball coaching candidates: 11 options to replace Kellie Harper

According to those 25 pages of VolNation, these are the people who should be considered for the job (a few of them are listed in the above article, which is why I listed it first). Reasons pro/con and availability will vary! In alphabetical order:

• Courtney Banghart
• Carla Berube
• Bart Brooks
• Kenny Brooks
• Kim Caldwell
• Cori Close
• Nicki Collen
• Megan Duffy
• Lisa Fortier
• Lindsay Gottlieb
• Niele Ivey
• Carolyn Kieger
• Tina Langley
• Lindy La Rocque
• Jolette Law
• Kara Lawson
• Kevin McGuff
• Yolett McPhee-McCuin
• Molly Miller
• Wes Moore
• Teri Moren
• Candace Parker
• JR Payne
• Tomeika Reed
• Lynne Roberts
• Scott Rueck
• Vic Schaeffer
• Karl Smesko
• Dawn Staley
• Kim Stephens
• Jeff Walz
• Brooke Wyckoff

For your discussion pleasure.....

 

[triaddukefan]

I hope Lawson leaves just to see how you will react.

You mean before or after I meet with my Primary Care physician?

 

[Vowelguy]

• Tina Langley

Hmm. I can imagine a few fans of this hire.

 

[Vowelguy]

Lady Vols basketball coaching candidates: 11 options to replace Kellie Harper

I'd put more faith in the TN reporter's 11 than the LV list (which was close to what I posted except I didnt have Reed, Close, or Yo).

• Niele Ivey
• Lindsay Gottlieb
• Jeff Walz
• Scott Rueck
• Cori Close
• JR Payne
• Coach Yo
• Kara Lawson
• Tomekia Reed
• Baranczyk
• Shea

 

[AzzisBraids]

I liked Kelly, thought she almost pulled off the upset of the year against South Carolina.

There's plenty of open jobs, she'll land on her feet. Kara Lawson is the top choice considering her Tennessee ties though I think Tomekia Reed from JSU is worth a few looks.

 

[darrell]

Just waded through 25 pages of VolNation shock over this firing.

Most seemed to feel that though Kellie is a good person, it was time for a change in coach. Many also want to get away from hiring anyone that would be considered part of the "Summitt tree," and go after ("poach") a "big-time" hire.

This article has a suggested list of coaches that might consider the job:

Lady Vols basketball coaching candidates: 11 options to replace Kellie Harper

According to those 25 pages of VolNation, these are the people who should be considered for the job (a few of them are listed in the above article, which is why I listed it first). Reasons pro/con and availability will vary! In alphabetical order:

• Courtney Banghart
• Carla Berube
• Bart Brooks
• Kenny Brooks
• Kim Caldwell
• Cori Close
• Nicki Collen
• Megan Duffy
• Lisa Fortier
• Lindsay Gottlieb
• Niele Ivey
• Carolyn Kieger
• Tina Langley
• Lindy La Rocque
• Jolette Law
• Kara Lawson
• Kevin McGuff
• Yolett McPhee-McCuin
• Molly Miller
• Wes Moore
• Teri Moren
• Candace Parker
• JR Payne
• Tomeika Reed
• Lynne Roberts
• Scott Rueck
• Vic Schaeffer
• Karl Smesko
• Dawn Staley
• Kim Stephens
• Jeff Walz
• Brooke Wyckoff

For your discussion pleasure.....

One name I haven’t seen that I’d be interested in is Carolyn Peck. I wonder if she’s ever thought about Coaching again or if she’s content with doing what she’s doing. She probably isn’t ideal because of her age, but her knowledge of the game is amazing.

 

[Vowelguy]

One name I haven’t seen that I’d be interested in is Carolyn Peck. I wonder if she’s ever thought about Coaching again or if she’s content with doing what she’s doing. She probably isn’t ideal because of her age, but her knowledge of the game is amazing.

lol
She failed at the Orlando WNBA team, and then failed at Florida.

SO BY ALL MEANS, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HIRE HER, VOLS.

 

[Centerstream]

I liked Kelly, thought she almost pulled off the upset of the year against South Carolina.

There's plenty of open jobs, she'll land on her feet. Kara Lawson is the top choice considering her Tennessee ties though I think Tomekia Reed from JSU is worth a few looks.

Wasn't it said in the JSU related post game threads that Coach Reed's contract would expire on March 31st. If true, I wonder if she has a new contract in front of her?
I did see where she was interviewed by Tulane recently, so that might mean she's available.

 

[darrell]

lol
She failed at the Orlando WNBA team, and then failed at Florida.

SO BY ALL MEANS, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HIRE HER, VOLS.

That was almost 20 years ago, to be fair.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

I figured Harper would get one more season, even though I didn't think it would change the overall situation for UT.

 

[AzzisBraids]

Wasn't it said in the JSU related post game threads that Coach Reed's contract would expire on March 31st. If true, I wonder if she has a new contract in front of her?
I did see where she was interviewed by Tulane recently, so that might mean she's available.

Yes, I believe it expired Sunday and with Geno's endorsement in the post presser, she's getting traction for a number of positions

 

[asuwish]

maybe shea or carla will go to the vols rescue!

It's Kara's if she wants it. She can coach and recruit. If she does that take out Duke for Sarah Strong. If she loves Kara I doubt she follows Kara to the rebuild project that TN is. They are also not the academic school her final 3 are and that is important to her.