When is a Head Coach not a Head Coach?

[Bestiarius]

I’m confused by the coaching situation at Tennessee. It is clear that Pat Summitt is the official Head Coach, as she is the person the refs consult. But, during games, Holly Warlick is performing Head Coach duties. So, who is officially the Assistant Coach?
According to the rules, Assistant Coaches and Bench Personnel. All bench personnel, with the exception of the head coach, are required to be seated on the bench while the ball is live except to react spontaneously to an outstanding play and then to immediately return to sitting on the bench. Violations by players,and especially assistant coaches, should not be tolerated by officials.

During one recent game, I believe it was the Tenn/Kansas game, there was a discussion involving the Officials’ tolerance of Pat’s involvement, thereby allowing TN to have 2 coaches on the floor. The answer was no official has dared to broach the topic with Pat.

Given the rule, book it appears that Holly should remain seated. One would think there would be a rule for determining who is actually the Head Coach during any given game, but there doesn’t appear to be, (unless I missed it in looking over the rules). Can anyone shed more light on this, because it appears that TN has broken the rules for every game this year. Given Pat’s demand for honest and ethical behavior, I’m surprised that she would allow this situation to exist.

This brings up another issue - Holly Warlick’s dilemma. It appears that she now exists to accept the blame for any team shortcomings that might crop up and receives none of the benefits of her efforts. This year’s wins accrue to Pat’s record on the quest for 1,100 wins. Very unfair to Holly, as she does not get credit for the statistics that accrue while she acting as head coach. What if Pat decides to keep her job for another 10 years? Would Holly be expected to perform the Head Coach duties while Pat accumulates the stats onto her record?

I recognize that the situation is a delicate one given Pat’s illness, but it makes a mockery of the rules. I hope the existing situation is resolved before next season.

 

[Wonkster]

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When she's a Pat Head Coach?
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[HuskyNan]

I recognize that the situation is a delicate one given Pat’s illness, but it makes a mockery of the rules. I hope the existing situation is resolved before next season.

IIRC, it is best for Pat's health to remain as calm as possible. I would hope that in this case the NCAA would make an exception to whatever dumb rule it dreamed up about seated vs standing coaches.

I think we UConn fans have other things to worry about.

 

[Phil]

I thought, but can't recall where I heard it, that TN has designated Holly as the head coach during the game for this very reason - to identify who can stand, and whatever other duties a head coach might have.

I'm fine with that rule or if not a rule, that sensible decision.

I did note, after the non-fight, that the refs called the coaches over and both Pat and Holly showed up. I trust that no ref in their right mind was going to raise the issue then, and I'm fine with that.

Plus, I'm not sure I want anyone deciding now to enforce the rule that no one can stand other than the head coach. I see CD standing on occasion, and not just per the identified exception.

I hope refs will use good sense, and if they decide they are going to enforce it, start with a warning or two.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

You can designate who is the "standing" coach. During Freese's tough pregnancy, it was designated to one of her assistants, I believe, and at times was delegated to the Associate during Kay Yow's later seasons.

Of course, Pat does at times stand, as did Kay (to call a time out) in one game I saw. Pat has rarely stood in the games I've seen on TV, don't think it has been a major issue. I did think she was more active in the game where the announcers discussed it, however.

 

[McHuskyFan]

Really?!

IMO, I don't think Pat's condition makes a mockery of the rules. She's Pat freakin' Summitt, fer cryin' out loud .... and if she stood up during a game, so what? Given the rate that her disease effected her this season, I don't think she'll be coaching anymore. As much as I dislike the UT program and miss the rivalry, I have too much respect for Pat and empathize so much with her situation that I cannot fathom anyone really getting worked up over this .......

But, if it continued, I agree wholeheartedly with the Philster

 

[Icebear]

Personally, I hope that accommodation would be made for any coach having a health issue affecting their ability to perform certain duties. Pregnancy, cancer, dementia, whatever and if whatever the issue is, such as, dementia that commonsense would be used by officials in extending any rulings or penalties.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Jeeezus, a little slack cutting is in order here. She's earned it.

 

[alexrgct]

Rules do not exist in a vacuum. And when they are applied to the letter in every situation, the original spirit of the rule is often violated.