Was Geno praises Jeff Walz, now merged LV thread :-(

[HuskyNan]

Nice words from Geno

 

[earl the pearl]

Walz is definitely one of the best coaches in WBB. He gets his girls to play hard and has had more than his share of injuries over the last 5 years. Also a very good recruiter. Wonder if he would actually leave Louisville if offered the Tenn job?

 

[psconn]

Maybe I've been unaware of other public statements made, but it seems a little ummmm... insensitive(?) to be making statements about a new Tennessee coach before Coach Summitt has made an announcement about stepping down.

 

[EricLA]

Maybe I've been unaware of other public statements made, but it seems a little ummmm... insensitive(?) to be making statements about a new Tennessee coach before Coach Summitt has made an announcement about stepping down.

not at all. WCBB fans have been discussing it since she publicly admitted her diagnosis.

Auriemma made several mentions of Walz in relation to Tennessee when Pat Summitt eventually retires, noting that “every time I hear somebody talk about the Tennessee job, Jeff Walz’s name comes up.”

We've even speculated on the BY who would take over for Geno if/when he leaves. there are numerous threads on the men's board, given Calhoun's history of medical issues, as to who will be the next HC. it's just a matter of time before Pat steps down, and her staying has already affected recruiting (see Kaela Davis). i'm sure some Tennessee fans are losing sleep over it. but i don't see it as insensitive.

 

[Wonkster]

.
Pretty clever of Geno - think he wants Walz out of the Big East before Jeff "fixes" the Big East Tournament?
.

 

[UConnCat]

The public discussion/speculation is out there, including in Knoxville. Summitt herself put her retirement out there when she said before the season and after her diagnosis that she wants to coach 3 more years. Whether she fulfills that goal or not, speculation of her successor is being discussed publicly. During LSU's recent visit to Knoxville, the question of Summitt's successor was put to a potential candidate, Nikki Caldwell and addressed in a column by a Knoxville Sentinel writer. Caldwell didn't avoid the question by saying it was insensitive; she answered the question. Here's what Caldwell said:

She [Caldwell] knows about the UT coaching speculation and acknowledges it could be used against her in negative recruiting. But she's adamant about wanting to be at LSU a long time, and just as adamant that UT won't have to look beyond its campus for Summitt's successor.

"People need to understand there are people on (Summitt's) staff more qualified," Caldwell said. "( Holly Warlick's) résumé matches Coach Summitt's. Her résumé is tremendous.

"She has carried the responsibilities of a head coach. She has recruited
and scouted. She bleeds orange and white. To me, Holly has really stepped up in a big way (this season), along with the rest of the (assistant) coaches."

Caldwell insists she isn't interested in job-hopping. She was happy at UCLA, where she won 72 games in three seasons and might have stayed if the Bruins had come close to matching LSU's offer, which more than doubled her salary, for Caldwell and her staff.

"I'm very appreciative of everything Tennessee has given me," she said. "But at the same time, I have a job to do at LSU. I'm very committed to this program and these young ladies."

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2012/jan/18/john-adams-caldwell-committed-to-lsu-points-to/

As Eric pointed out, Kaela Davis and her family mentioned questions surrounding Summitt and her coaching future as the reason behind Kaela's decision to rescind her verbal to Tenn.

 

[HuskyNan]

Geno may have been asked his opinion on the topic, too. I'm sure the press would love a juicy quote from Geno on Tennessee so he must get asked a lot of questions about the LV program.

 

[jennyo70]

Walz is definitely one of the best coaches in WBB. He gets his girls to play hard and has had more than his share of injuries over the last 5 years. Also a very good recruiter. Wonder if he would actually leave Louisville if offered the Tenn job?

I can not imagine Coach Walz leaving U of L. I am of the opinion that our AD, Tom Jurich, is one of the best in the business. He has rebuilt everyone of our programs and brought the women's athletic programs to the forefront of his agenda. He has raised funds to build state of the art facilities in almost every sport. He is highly invested in our women's programs. From my perspective, Jeff Walz can write whatever ticket he wants here. If there is anything the University could do to keep him, I expect that they would. Money, facilities, fan support, administrative support are not going to be the reason he leaves, from my perspective.

All of that being said, there are plenty more things that go into reasons that people leave jobs. I can not speak to Coach Walz's career goals, family life, health etc. He hails from N. KY, so Louisville is close to "home". Should one of these things influence his decision to leave then so be it. Otherwise, I can not imagine.

Personally, I would be devastated if he left. That being said, I do not see it happening. I also do not see TN going outside of their "family tree" for their new Coach, whenever that may happen. But truly, what the hell do I know. I just have an opinion.

 

[pap49cba]

John A. must have read this thread....

 

[Tonyc]

IMO the next TN coach has to have a great resume which should include , and be a great recruiter and have a big name in BB. As many coaches as Pat has helped to develop none have the resume IMO required to take on a big name program such as TN, at least not yet. TN is looking to get back to where they were and high credenitals are a must for their next head coach.

LVille has spent alot of money on their new arena, as well as a statue of Angel, and have made a commitment to their womens program, so I dont think they will let Jeff go anywhere.

 

[Huskymaniac]

If you are Italian you recognize what just happened. Geno kissed Jeff on both cheeks. The next game against Louisville will be ugly for UL.

 

[vtcwbuff]

John A. must have read this thread....

No, I think John A likely read a thread on the Summitt where Geno was taken to task for even discussing Summitt's replacement. Even more horrifying was that Auriemma had the audacity to mention someone outside the UTenn family and a man to boot!

 

[Tonyc]

vtc I read that too. As I said in a thread above LVille has made a commitment to WBB at Lville and Im sure they will do what it takes to keep Jeff. To bad some TN fans havent opened their minds to landing the best coach to get them to the FF again. I really dont think Waltz will end up at TN. My thoughts are TN needs a big name, elite coach who has been to the FF and who can recruit and build a championship team.

 

[ucbart]

I hope he doesn't get the Tennessee job, I very much want Jeff to be the next UCONN coach.

 

[vtcwbuff]

I think Walz would be a great choice. His last second technical Tuesday night was kinda' old school Geno.

 

[Wonkster]

I hope he doesn't get the Tennessee job, I very much want Jeff to be the next UCONN coach.

.
Back from the dead? Where have you been hiding? I thought we were going to be flooded with Breanna game reviews this season under your byline up there in the Great White North!
.

 

[JoePgh]

While Pat Summitt has apparently expressed a desire to coach for 3 more years including this year, it seems clear that the recruiting situation (if nothing else) will force the University of Tennessee to make a change during the upcoming off-season.

John A recently stated that there is a "hot rumor" that Tennessee will look to the Big East, but possibly not to Jeff Walz, for Pat's successor.

To me, the suggests an obvious possibility (even a likelihood): ANNE DONOVAN!

Think about it -- she was the head coach of a WNBA championship team and an Olympic championship team. She has seen every style of basketball, and every basketball play, that exists on the planet. She is mature enough to re-assure parents and young enough (barely) to relate to players. She has plenty of experience coaching highly talented athletes successfully. It's true that she has no collegiate recruiting experience, but that is certainly one area where the existing Tennessee staff can provide adequate backup and support. You could say that her record at Seton Hall is unenviable, but to judge her by her first year in that situation, coming in to repair a disaster, is hardly a fair basis on which to make a judgment.

Not insignificantly, she is female, which seems important to many people looking for a worthy successor to Pat.

If I were Tennessee, she would receive very serious consideration.

 

[Kevin G]

Tennessee who???

 

[psconn]

not at all. WCBB fans have been discussing it since she publicly admitted her diagnosis.

Auriemma made several mentions of Walz in relation to Tennessee when Pat Summitt eventually retires, noting that “every time I hear somebody talk about the Tennessee job, Jeff Walz’s name comes up.”

We've even speculated on the BY who would take over for Geno if/when he leaves. there are numerous threads on the men's board, given Calhoun's history of medical issues, as to who will be the next HC. it's just a matter of time before Pat steps down, and her staying has already affected recruiting (see Kaela Davis). i'm sure some Tennessee fans are losing sleep over it. but i don't see it as insensitive.

Big difference between fans and Boneyarders tossing this around and a high profile coach in a media event.

 

[Kevin G]

No, I think John A likely read a thread on the Summitt where Geno was taken to task for even discussing Summitt's replacement. Even more horrifying was that Auriemma had the audacity to mention someone outside the UTenn family and a man to boot!

The Summitt??? Those delusional fans (not all but most are)

 

[UConnCat]

Big difference between fans and Boneyarders tossing this around and a high profile coach in a media event.

Was it insensitive of Nikki Caldwell to address the issue at a media event in Knoxville?

 

[justML]

Was it insensitive of Nikki Caldwell to address the issue at a media event in Knoxville?

No, because she's like family to them. Geno is Satan.

 

[Sonny44]

If you are Italian you recognize what just happened. Geno kissed Jeff on both cheeks. The next game against Louisville will be ugly for UL.

No mercy, period.

 

[Sonny44]

While Pat Summitt has apparently expressed a desire to coach for 3 more years including this year, it seems clear that the recruiting situation (if nothing else) will force the University of Tennessee to make a change during the upcoming off-season.

John A recently stated that there is a "hot rumor" that Tennessee will look to the Big East, but possibly not to Jeff Walz, for Pat's successor.

To me, the suggests an obvious possibility (even a likelihood): ANNE DONOVAN!

Think about it -- she was the head coach of a WNBA championship team and an Olympic championship team. She has seen every style of basketball, and every basketball play, that exists on the planet. She is mature enough to re-assure parents and young enough (barely) to relate to players. She has plenty of experience coaching highly talented athletes successfully. It's true that she has no collegiate recruiting experience, but that is certainly one area where the existing Tennessee staff can provide adequate backup and support. You could say that her record at Seton Hall is unenviable, but to judge her by her first year in that situation, coming in to repair a disaster, is hardly a fair basis on which to make a judgment.

Not insignificantly, she is female, which seems important to many people looking for a worthy successor to Pat.

If I were Tennessee, she would receive very serious consideration.

I didn't see her do much coaching last night, very passive. I think she will realize she needs to step down after the season so they can formally begin a new era.

 

[Bestiarius]

No, because she's like family to them. Geno is Satan.

Well, as a BB coach, he is hot as hell.