2025 Recruiting

[brittannica]

A big motivator might also be to stay together. Strip, Wynn and Puckett have been very close and I can see them leaning toward wherever they can stay togeher their final year.

Strip and Wynn are also very engaged with CKC content, so I could see both staying. This system likely favors Kaiya, and Strip might be our starting post next season

 

[CoryDallasLV]

Nah, UTAD has made that style the headline of the hire. All their social media output has featured it and it was the first thing AD talked about in the presser yesterday. Basically hanging their hat on it, which is why several of the reporters asked about it.

As far as minutes, if anyone thinks that's not high on any recruit's google list regarding this coach I don't know what to tells you.

I know that because it's a flashy style that looks good when it works. What I'm saying is I guarantee you it won't be the only way the team play especially if they don't have the personnel to make it work. I also guarantee if we have elite recruits they are not going to be limited. I think of posters are obsessing over this "style" a little too much. Maybe wait until we actually see some games first.

 

[Volfan2012]

Looks like Brenda Frese jumped in on Nyla like a fox in a henhouse. Hopefully Nyla still decides on Tennessee just like Candace did so many years ago.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Strip and Wynn are also very engaged with CKC content, so I could see both staying. This system likely favors Kaiya, and Strip might be our starting post next season

Lord

 

[VolBall09]

Eh. Given our lack of elite recruits, I would fall all over myself trying to land them, particularly with how eager Nyla is to recruit her peers. Kids are needy, perhaps even more so now, and this is likely why you’re seeing some coaches retire. They don’t want to deal with it, but coaches like Brenda Frese realize it’s the new reality. Money, attention, and playing time.

I wouldn’t. We are starting from ground 0 with high school recruiting anyway. Unfortunately just wasn’t much happening there.

 

[spojo13]

I know that because it's a flashy style that looks good when it works. What I'm saying is I guarantee you it won't be the only way the team play especially if they don't have the personnel to make it work. I also guarantee if we have elite recruits they are not going to be limited. I think of posters are obsessing over this "style" a little too much. Maybe wait until we actually see some games first.

Oh I agree for us, but I think glv98 was referring to recruits/transfers? If everything the UTAD is putting out there is this style, then that is what they are going to see. If it is adjusted this season, then 2026 recruits will take note, but for what we need now, what they are hearing and seeing for the time being is this style of play.

 

[glv98]

I know that because it's a flashy style that looks good when it works. What I'm saying is I guarantee you it won't be the only way the team play especially if they don't have the personnel to make it work. I also guarantee if we have elite recruits they are not going to be limited. I think of posters are obsessing over this "style" a little too much. Maybe wait until we actually see some games first.

I very much agree that SEC reality will temper the "style" quickly. But I was responding to you saying it was only message board posters emphasizing the style and that's not true. The AD pretty much said that's why he hired her and the style is being pushing hard by them. Local Knox sports outlets are leading with it as well. It's the AD's chosen message, not just posters.

 

[glv98]

I wouldn’t. We are starting from ground 0 with high school recruiting anyway. Unfortunately just wasn’t much happening there.

That encapslates my whole question about this hire. Why start at ground zero if you don't have to? Why blow off Nyla? Why not build on the existing foundation instead of burning it all down? Most esp when you're an unproven recruiter on this level. Of course you aren't going to let Nyla drive the bus but why throw the baby out with the bathwater?

 

[VolBall09]

That encapslates my whole question about this hire. Why start at ground zero if you don't have to? Why blow off Nyla? Why not build on the existing foundation instead of burning it all down? Most esp when you're an unproven recruiter on this level. Of course you aren't going to let Nyla drive the bus but why throw the baby out with the bathwater?

Nyla was ground 0 sure she can play but we literally have had one legit Hs commit in 5 years.

Maybe we should be more frustrated with the previous coach missing on about 35 high school kids. Not CKC potentially missing on ONE.

 

[brittannica]

I wouldn’t. We are starting from ground 0 with high school recruiting anyway. Unfortunately just wasn’t much happening there.

You can also call someone and say, “Hey, Nyla and Finley. We are so appreciative of your support and desire to be a Lady Vol. There is no denying your basketball talent, and you would have been a great addition to the program. However, at this time, we don’t think it’s a great fit. Please know that we will be eagerly watching your games and rooting for your future success.” It’s relationship building 101. Radio silence is the worst possible outcome.

 

[VolBall09]

You can also call someone and say, “Hey, Nyla and Finley. We are so appreciative of your support and desire to be a Lady Vol. There is no denying your basketball talent, and you would have been a great addition to the program. However, at this time, we don’t think it’s a great fit. Please know that we will be eagerly watching your games and rooting for your future success.” It’s relationship building 101. Radio silence is the worst possible outcome.

Right and what’s wrong with doing that on day three that she’s hired? I fail to view this as an emergency.

It’s always a long shot that recruits will stay committed with a coaching change anyway.

Nyla decommitted in 5 seconds, doesn’t exactly send good vibes to the new coach.

Maybe a “still committed but weighing my options” would have been a better choice there if she TRULY wants to be a lady vol.

 

[Scotty4lvs]

That encapslates my whole question about this hire. Why start at ground zero if you don't have to? Why blow off Nyla? Why not build on the existing foundation instead of burning it all down? Most esp when you're an unproven recruiter on this level. Of course you aren't going to let Nyla drive the bus but why throw the baby out with the bathwater?

The recruiting thing also has me just not knowing what to think and giving me real problems getting excited about this hire. I guess maybe I was overemphasizing recruiting as the reason KH was fired and under emphasizing style of play. Bc this hire is apparently all about style and it seems irrelevant that she seems to have no track record of recruiting or recruiting connections and I'm left going

 

[glv98]

Nyla was ground 0 sure she can play but we literally have had one legit Hs commit in 5 years.

Maybe we should be more frustrated with the previous coach missing on about 35 high school kids. Not CKC potentially missing on ONE.

Exactly your first sentence. The only one in 5 yrs. It's why the previous coach is gone and we can stop being frustrated about her. The new coach needs to about the business, and quickly. Understanding the pace recruiting moves on her new level is really important. For God sake if you have one elite recruit already in hand, try to keep her.

 

[37620VOL]

You can also call someone and say, “Hey, Nyla and Finley. We are so appreciative of your support and desire to be a Lady Vol. There is no denying your basketball talent, and you would have been a great addition to the program. However, at this time, we don’t think it’s a great fit. Please know that we will be eagerly watching your games and rooting for your future success.” It’s relationship building 101. Radio silence is the worst possible outcome.

If she has been texting recruits, which she has by her own words, I highly doubt she has yet to text Brooks or Chastain.

 

[Lucy]

Wow they jumping on real quick, oh well our loss.

If she liked Kellie she won’t like Brenda. Kellie is class Brenda anything but.

 

[Volfan2012]

Are we sure Nyla is finished being recruited. She didn't exclude the Lady Vols just opened up her recruitment and said Lady Vols were still one of the teams. I guess she will give the new coach a chance and both can see how she fits in here now. For me she fits in better then ever can run the floor and would be awesome in a press. Great trransition player perfect for Kim's system.

 

[glv98]

If she has been texting recruits, which she has by her own words, I highly doubt she has yet to text Brooks or Chastain.

I believe Nyla's family said they hadn't been contacted. That's what started this discussion.

LOL another fliparoo. We want to teach the Brooks a lesson about waiting for our terms, but were fine when 14 yr old Chastain demanded (and got) a meeting w the AD.

 

[brittannica]

Right and what’s wrong with doing that on day three that she’s hired? I fail to view this as an emergency.

It’s always a long shot that recruits will stay committed with a coaching change anyway.

Nyla decommitted in 5 seconds, doesn’t exactly send good vibes to the new coach.

Maybe a “still committed but weighing my options” would have been a better choice there if she TRULY wants to be a lady vol.

Because it’s all relationships. We hadn’t won anything meaningful under Kellie, so our recruits were coming here because they either liked the staff or the university. Firing Kellie made them question that, and these kids want to be wooed. It may be the only time in their life they are. I did a similar thing on the job market We can agree to disagree, but I think Nyla’s behavior is going to be far more common among the elite recruits so filling that position on CKC’s staff with someone who gets it is of critical importance.

 

[37620VOL]

I believe Nyla's family said they hadn't been contacted. That's what started this discussion.

And that, I find hard to believe

 

[37620VOL]

LOL another fliparoo. We want to teach the Brooks a lesson about waiting for our terms, but were fine when 14 yr old Chastain demanded (and got) a meeting w the AD.

fliparoo, please explain?

 

[glv98]

And that, I find hard to believe

Me too. Maybe Unc lied. But if true, it concerns me for the new staff's understanding of how big league recruiting works.

 

[creekdipper]

Lets go! Coach Caldwell hit a home-run with her introductory press-conference. “Every recruit that she texts has responded!”

It’s time.. GBO!

That was a funny line, but I wouldn't get overly excited.

"Thanks for your interest" is a response. Her point was that inquiries from the University of Tennessee will always get more attention than those from smaller schools. I'm sure that she noticed a big difference in responses from Marshall recruits vs. players contacted when she was at Glenville State.

Even a polite rejection letter is better than no response. But not too many highly-skilled players are going to be posting "Blessed to receive an offer from Glenville State" on their Instagram accounts (although they probably will add them into the overall numbers of offers just for bragging rights). Top recruits receive dozens of not hundreds of offers...doesn't mean that they actually seriously consider most of them.

 

[glv98]

fliparoo, please explain?

We all do message board agenda driven fliparoos. Like being mad at Kellie for excessive subbing and subbing on a preset pattern. But being all in on the new coach's 5 for 5 every 3 min subbing. Or the example I gave about recruits. Keeps fan forums fun.

 

[Volfan2012]

I just hate that I get the feeling with the new coach that any nine players will do. I hope it goes away, but just keep thinking she isn't that concerned about who they are just if they play her way. Maybe I'll see something in the next two weeks that changes my mind, but her saying at the press that they are just players a little taller maybe when asked about difference between Marshall and SEC players.
I can tell her that being taller is far from the only difference.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

You could still recruit elite players and play this system. It doesn’t have to be 5 in 5 out every time. You could sub in 4,3,2 and move the pieces around to give the “stars” more minutes. A good coach will adjust.