The end of an era?

[alexrgct]

Mods, feel free to merge into another thread, but I thought it made sense to have a thread devoted strictly to the future of the Tennessee program.

Yes, this topic is worth talking about. Tennessee has been relevent in WCBB for more than 30 years. The LVs were one of the three or so best programs in the 1980s, THE program of the 1990s, and the clear #2 program of the '00s. But after tonight, one has to wonder where the LVs go from here. Yes, they can get healthier, but their performance relative to their talent simply isn't there. I'm not seeing the intensity I'm used to from a Pat Summitt-coached team. As competitive and driven as Pat is, I have to assume that, if she could be more involved than she is, she would be. Given this, I don't see how the current coaching configuration keeps the LVs in that top three or four program tier in the '10s.

So this leads to a very interesting question: when Pat steps down (and I hope to God it's on her terms and that she's at peace with the process that drives her doing so), who replaces her? It's as cherry a job as there is in WCBB, but replacing a legend is difficult to say the least. And who could do it? Who would want to?

This isn't just about Tennessee basketball. Geno isn't going to coach forever either. What happens at Tennessee with the search for a replacement will be very instructive for UConn. Do you stay within the extended LV family, or do you go for a completely fresh perspective? How supportive and patient are the fans if things don't immediately go well? How well can a new coach recruit and sell the program? If you go outside the LV family, who else is interested? These are very much the kinds of questions we'll be asking about UConn, hopefully later rather than sooner.

What are your thoughts? If you were the AD at Tennessee, this is the one job on campus you haven't had to think about until recently. What would be your next steps?

 

[easttexastrash]

This is a very good and thought provoking post. I have a feeling that UT will go with DeMoss or Warlick and who knows what kind of dynamics that would create between those two. I am sure that they both would love to head that program and I suspect that one of the two would move on if not chosen to take over.

I do think that UCONN would choose Rizzotti to take over, assuming that she wants the job. To me, she seems like the logical choice and I think that Geno would recommend her, but I do not know the UCONN family as well as you guys do. Maybe there is a more logical choice? Would Dailey be a viable candidate?

 

[speedoo]

Well, if I'm the TN AD, I've got a huge problem on my hands. I need to replace a legend, now more or less, and there has been no transitional planning. It's probably really worse than that, because the legend may not want to let go. And the replacement does not appear to be on the current staff. A couple of candidates that have been mentioned, Caldwell and Jolly, make little sense to me because they have not really achieved a track record that is very promising. So they will probably have to go outside the TN family, which carries its own set of problems in terms of fan acceptance etc. Jeff Walz and Matt Mitchell should be strong candidates.

If I'm the UConn AD and Herbst, I sit down with Geno at some point and start the transitional planning, well before Geno is done. Geno basically should be able to name his own replacement. Geno may not want to do that, but he will probably realize it might be the best way. Replacing the UConn legend will be very difficult even with such planning, but not to have that planning is an invitation to disaster.

 

[easttexastrash]

Well, if I'm the TN AD, I've got a huge problem on my hands. I need to replace a legend, now more or less, and there has been no transitional planning. It's probably really worse than that, because the legend may not want to let go. And the replacement does not appear to be on the current staff. A couple of candidates that have been mentioned, Caldwell and Jolly, make little sense to me because they have not really achieved a track record that is very promising. So they will probably have to go outside the TN family, which carries its own set of problems in terms of fan acceptance etc. Jeff Walz and Matt Mitchell should be strong candidates.

If I'm the UConn AD and Herbst, I sit down with Geno at some point and start the transitional planning, well before Geno is done. Geno basically should be able to name his own replacement. Geno may not want to do that, but he will probably realize it might be the best way. Replacing the UConn legend will be very difficult even with such planning, but not to have that planning is an invitation to disaster.

Goestenkors may be available soon.

 

[easttexastrash]

Has UCONN ever offered Rizzotti an assistant position? Is that something that she would consider to try to transition back to UCONN? Or am I barking up the wrong tree on this one?

 

[speedoo]

This is a very good and thought provoking post. I have a feeling that UT will go with DeMoss or Warlick and who knows what kind of dynamics that would create between those two. I am sure that they both would love to head that program and I suspect that one of the two would move on if not chosen to take over.

I do think that UCONN would choose Rizzotti to take over, assuming that she wants the job. To me, she seems like the logical choice and I think that Geno would recommend her, but I do not know the UCONN family as well as you guys do. Maybe there is a more logical choice? Would Dailey be a viable candidate?

DeMoss and Warlick are not the answer. DeMoss had little success as Kentucky HC and both she and Warlick are not exactly demonstrating great ability in the current situation.

As for Chris Dailey, she would be terrific, but she is basically the same age as Geno, so her tenure would not be very long, most likely. Rizzotti might be the leading "UConn family" candidate. Also Shea Ralph and Jamelle Elliott.

 

[easttexastrash]

DeMoss and Warlick are not the answer. DeMoss had little success as Kentucky HC and both she and Warlick are not exactly demonstrating great ability in the current situation.

As for Chris Dailey, she would be terrific, but she is basically the same age as Geno, so her tenure would not be very long, most likely. Rizzotti might be the leading "UConn family" candidate. Also Shea Ralph and Jamelle Elliott.

Good points. I had not thought about Ralph and Elliott.

 

[speedoo]

Goestenkors may be available soon.

Available, yes. Viable? Not unless she gets things turned around in Austin pretty quickly. Like this year.

 

[easttexastrash]

Available, yes. Viable? Not unless she gets things turned around in Austin pretty quickly. Like this year.

That was completely tongue in cheek. GG couldn't get elected dog catcher in Austin right now.

 

[speedoo]

That was completely tongue in cheek. GG couldn't get elected dog catcher in Austin right now.

Gotcha.

 

[alexrgct]

Has UCONN ever offered Rizzotti an assistant position? Is that something that she would consider to try to transition back to UCONN? Or am I barking up the wrong tree on this one?

Jen has made comments publicly that, without coming right out and saying it, seemed to indicate pretty clearly that she would be very, very interested in the UConn job down the road and that part of the reason she's stayed close is for that very reason. So no, you're not barking up the wrong tree. She's a beloved figure among UConn faithful, which would help her keep the fans on her side. She's not Geno, but no one is. I really don't know how she'd do, but it's possible that we're going to find out.

One other factor: with these legendary women coaches like Pat and Jody Conradt before her, are ADs going to feel pressure to hire a woman? I feel like Texas does. Personally, if I had a job I wanted to fill, one of my first calls is to Matt Bollant, but would there be any outcry?

 

[dtbtbtb]

If you are a top rated player and you saw this game, why will you even consider going to TN?

 

[itsasport]

Either Jen or Shea would be great replacements for Geno. But, since both can't be chosen- what if one went to Tenn? Crazy idea, perhaps. The Tenn fans would be crazed and there would not much time allowed for either to prove themselves. But, either one would be the type of coach that all that wasted talent needs.

 

[Bestiarius]

How about Tyler Summitt? He probably picked up a few coaching pointers around the house and knows what the TN fans want. For anyone else, the job is a suicide mission.

 

[Rob Signor]

Geno, is not going to tip his hand on how long he coaches. But if I had to bet it will probably be about 6 more years. I think he is very excited to work with the group he has coming in next year and he will figure it out from there. Just my opinion. I have no inside scoop. But Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck, Lewis and Deshields would be hard to walk away from.

 

[EricLA]

First, Nikki just took over LSU this year so i'm not sure if Tennessee needs a new HC next year, that she'd even be available. Second, she didn't recruit any great shakes at UCLA. i don't have the time or energy to go back and see just who she got, but a program with the history of UCLA (even tho it's all on the men's side) ought to be able to recruit better kids to that program.

she took two UCLA teams to the NCAA's, but that was largely with another coach's recruits. this is the first year she's been gone (3 years of coaching and recruiting there) and the kids SHE recruited and left are 8-10 so far. perhaps she saw the writing on the walls which is why she skedaddled to LSU...

the Tennessee assistants have been there for over 20 years (maybe 30?), but Micki didn't really do anything great while at Kentucky, and after going to Texas as an asst, came back to Tennessee. not sure if Holly or Dean are HC material. or if they'd even want it. and if this season is any indication of the head coaching ability of Holly Warlick, i'm not sure i'd want her as the HC.

then there's Kelly Harper, at NC State - hard to recruit kids there, but it's got to be easier than recruiting kids to, say, Hartford. still, i'm not sure you can look at her record, successes, or recruiting and say she's going to continue to take Tennessee to great heights should she end up there. this is her 3rd year as their head coach so i'm not sure you can really draw any conclusions from her struggles there so far.

i almost think they'd be better off looking outside their program and try to find someone at a mid major who hash done great things. Look at what Mitchell and Walz have accomplished at Kentucky and L'ville. maybe look at the HC's of Wisc Green Bay, Gonzaga, BYU, Marist, or other mid major type of programs that have really achieved success "in spite" of not being at a major school.

Tennessee fans probably think they could "have" Walz or Mitchell if they wanted, but those coaches have a great thing being built at Kentucky and L'ville. would they really want to leave?

do Tennessee fans really think Gail G, or Sherri Coale, or Joanne Boyle or Charlie Turner Thorne or ___ (insert other big name coach here) would have great success at tennessee? i'm not so sure. and i'm not sure any of those coaches would even want to coach at Tennessee. Maybe an asst coach like Leon Barmore would be interested in taking the program over, but he might end up being about as successful as Van Chancellor was at LSU. or maybe another asst coach might be a good fit - Walz (Maryland) came to L'ville as a former asst coach, and Mitchell was only the HC at Moorehead State for 2 years before taking over for Demoss at Kentucky.

i'd say their best bet will ultimately be what UCONN's best bet is - a young, up and coming, dynamic and intelligent coach. UCONN has proven that it's format is the most successful in WCBB bar none. there's no team who's won more NC's in such a short period of time. i think there is no "older" coach who has done a better job of adjusting with the times as far as the dynamics of these teenagers has changed. that's why i'm not so sure i'd want an "established" coach to take over at UCONN...

frankly i'd much rather see UCONN go after one of those young, up and coming, dynamic and potentially brilliant coaches as opposed to simply keeping it in the family, or going after some other big name. it will be hard for the AD to make a decision as to who replaces these 2 legends.

 

[jdubct]

I imagine when Coach Summitt decides to step down, she will have an important say on who succeeds her. Usually, the successor will have a strong connection to the program. It's similar to questioning who might succeed Geno. As others have posted above, somebody like Rizzotti or Ralph would be the favorites.

 

[Icebear]

I expect none of the present staff will become the head coach at TN. I expect that staying within the TN family it will be either Caldwell or Jolly. Or we could hope and pray they hire Carolyn Peck.

 

[wes33]

Available, yes. Viable? Not unless she gets things turned around in Austin pretty quickly. Like this year.

She will be around a few more years. http://ninernation.net/index.php?topic=16211.0

 

[pppggg]

Sad to say but Pat's illness has to impact the program. If you are a top notch recruit, you have to wonder how long she will be coaching or at least coaching effectively.

As for a replacment to Geno, Shea would be my pick. She is sitting on the bench soaking in everything Geno has to offer and he is doing recruiting and knows which girls will be a UNON fit.

 

[Icebear]

There is no joy whatsoever in seeing Pat on the sidelines as she was last night. That was simply painful and disheartening. One of the things that was always part of the Pat Summitt way was that she brought as much fire to the sidelines and commitment to the win as she expected from her team on the court. It was that fire and passion that made her easy to love and inspiring and easy to hate and inspiring. That no longer exists and that is sad for every fan of WCBB.

UConn would not be the iconic team we love if it had not been for the iconic person Pat was and the Lady Volunteers as her on court expression. She and the Lady Vols became the mountain Geno and the Huskies had to climb and they made the journey a monumental challenge.

Geno captured the moment perfectly when he referred to Tennessee and the Lady Vols as the "Evil Empire." Stars Wars was an iconic movie, the Yankees are an iconic franchise (and that is why they stir the passions of those who hate them) and Tennessee has been that same iconic presence in WCBB. What we saw last night, however, is like the last days of JoePA simply stirring sadness because of how things are drawing to a close and the recognition of what is being lost. It is like a last scene of Darth Vader's life focusing in from a huge field of cosmic battle of good and evil onto the single black ship under Vader's flag and zooming through to the helm of the ship and then the command center only to find Vader's cape and helmut cast aside no Vader in sight and no one in control. Like Steinbrenner, like JoePA, in the end Pat's life is a single human life with all the strengths and weaknesses, all the joys and sorrows. What is important and what is important in our remembering what she did along the way and how and why she became the icon she is. The light is fading but the icon can endure whenever we shine light on it.

In the thread last night I noted noting the reality of Pat's situation is not wrong but no joy can be found in how she is diminished by this horrible disease. As in Casey at the bat, there was no joy in K-ville last night.

 

[JoePgh]

With respect to the Tennessee coaching situation, my only observation is that a new head coach needs to be named at the end of the season. I don't see how it is possible for them to recruit anyone as long as the "head coach by committee" approach seems to be a part of the future. No top recruit would want to become involved in that.

With respect to Geno's successor, I would say that Tonya Cardoza has to be considered -- she has a more distinguished head coaching record (against better competition) than either Jen or Jamelle. I don't quite understand why Jen can't recruit better players than any other coach in the America East conference. I wouldn't expect her to recruit Top-10 players to the University of Hartford, but I would expect her to get the best of the crop that would consider playing in America East. It doesn't appear to me that she has done that.

But I have another name to throw in the hopper as Geno's successor: Sue Bird. At this point, she probably has a better knowledge of the game than anyone mentioned (maybe even better than Geno) as a result of having played internationally, in the Olympics, and the WNBA for so long. She is totally committed to the UConn program and tradition, and is young enough (and well-known enough) to relate to today's high school players. She is the floor leader of every team that she plays on.

 

[Wbbfan1]

When Geno decides to retire most likely CD retires at the same time. If that does happen and Shea Ralph is still on the staff, she would be in the running to replace Geno. It would insure continuity with the players on the team and with the players that UConn is recruiting. The question is does Shea have the personality to be the face of the program.

Sue Bird would have to get coaching and recruiting experience before she would be a serious candidate to replace Geno. If you're going to consider Sue, then I would consider DT. She's more like Geno in his earlier days then Sue is and the media would both love and hate her. Never mind what the fans of the opposing teams would think.

 

[choochoo]

My vote is for Peck, she was an assistant at tenn. has won a NC (with another coaches recruits) and lord knows she speaks their language. Then I will not have to hear her mindless dribble on TV ,unless she is miked up at the half like Pat was prone to doing. She is also a really big homer for UT.

 

[Icebear]

My vote is for Peck, she was an assistant at tenn. has won a NC (with another coaches recruits) and lord knows she speaks their language. Then I will not have to hear her mindless dribble on TV ,unless she is miked up at the half like Pat was prone to doing. She is also a really big homer for UT.

And as you say it will improve ESPN coverage.