Ah yes, the old Peter Principle.I am guilty of schadenfreude and thoroughly enjoying the plight of Lady Vols Basketball!
I don't think there's any measurable harm done to the advancement of wcbb because of it. In fact, I don't think there's ever been more parity in the #2 thru #10 ranked teams these days. There's a lot of really entertaining games being played in wcbb by the likes of DePaul, South Florida, Oregon State, Florida State, Ohio State, Maryland, et al. I was even impressed by Kansas State, Nebraska and Chattanooga when we played them. Things are looking up for wcbb. Of course when looking up, everyone's necks still get cramped looking up at UConn!
That said, I have empathy for Holly (the individual) as I watch her pacing the sidelines bewildered and overwhelmed - demonstrating that she's reached her "level of incompetence" as HC of Lady Vols Bball. Not her fault - she was a loyal assistant to Pat and loyal employee to the University for decades, so she took the position to help preserve Pat's legacy and advance her own career - both honorable, sensible reasons. And the University went with her for the same reasons; continuity and loyalty. Time for Rocky Top to go in a different direction!
OK, point taken....but what I was really trying to suggest in my original post has little to do with Tenn fans and followers in particular, and more to do, at least potentially (alas), with us. Sports history teaches us how rarely the truly legendary coaches come along, and how dismal is the record in attempts to perpetuate their success when the time for replacement ultimately, and inevitably, comes. To resort to the vernacular, the slide from the penthouse to the outhouse is a pretty slippery slope...and few are invulnerable. A very few institutions, I think, just because of who they are and what they represent, have at least some modest level of built-in immunity to this kind of fate (Notre Dame springs to mind) (I "hate" Notre Dame!)...a bit of immunity that does not necessarily apply to places like Ruston, or Knoxville, or, probably, and I hate to say it, Storrs. So, for me, the LV situation serves as kind of an object lesson in a reality I hate to admit exists. Some here aver that this "catastrophic" slide, thanks to Geno's genius, cannot and will not happen here. I applaud their optimism, but respectfully demur. Now, I know that many say, with justification, "why even post this stuff, why worry about that now...just enjoy the ride while we can." I do, I do, as much as anyone. But that's also like saying don't worry or speculate on where our favorite team will be next year after Stewie and Mo go, or don't pay close attention to recruiting for 2017...these "looking ahead" things are just what fans do!
In Geno I trust.
Yes. You've identified a key point in all of this. And this is aggravated by Pat's continued presence and her title as coach emeritus. Holly's loyalty will contribute greatly to her downfall.
After Geno moves on, we have no idea what will happen to UConn women's basketball. The conference thing may rear its ugly side for them too. Depending on who replaces him, it could be a small step or a large step, but almost certainly a step backward. Enjoy the present.
If there was a sudden crisis and Geno had to step down immediately, I am sure that Chris would step in for a limited time, but I doubt she would stay on beyond a few years. She obviously would feel loyalty to both the program and the players already on the team.