Coach Kellie Harper fired

[VolBall09]

she should drop the skincare regimen though because she is radiant.

Agree, she is stunning and has a beautiful complexion. Healthy lifestyle gets a lot of credit. Joni really got herself in shape maybe 5-7 years ago and she has been glowing since. Amazing what treating your body right does for it.

 

[TimR]

And I think that's just nepotism in general. Some people can't stand it, and in some cases rightfully so. This falls somewhere between "my child is carrying on the family business" (perfectly ok) to "we're getting rare contracts and hiring my wife too" (usually very inappropriate).

To continue the thought, it seems counterproductive too. You have a salary pool for assistants, but unless your spouse is a great coach, it's not going to contribute to your success nearly as much as hiring a great coach with the same money.

 

[glv98]

To continue the thought, it seems counterproductive too. You have a salary pool for assistants, but unless your spouse is a great coach, it's not going to contribute to your success nearly as much as hiring a great coach with the same money.

definitely some legit concerns. But I still don't think it should automatically keep us away from the 'right' hire. we've been down that road before.

 

[spojo13]

Much as I've defended Jon, and I really do think he's been an unfair target for a bunch of men who can't stand Daddy working for Mama, the problems with a family package deal are obvious. Espec at departure time.

But my question is can we use no families as a hard and fast restriction when it's a growing thing across WBB? Can't hire Vic bc of Blair? I've always thought if the AD can work thru it so can I.

I didn’t really ever have a problem with the nepotism; however, having a spouse on staff when you have two younger kids at home seems like it could put you at a disadvantage in recruiting. You can’t both be on the road at the same time because someone has to stay home and watch the kids. Grandparents or a sitter can step in some, but these days it seems like recruiting is an all the time thing. With Vic and Blair, they could both hypothetically be on the road to recruit at the same time. I don’t think Curry has young kids at home, and I honestly don’t know about the Fortier family. Just an interesting hurdle that popped in my mind.

 

[Majors]

Curious, have Coach Sam and Joy been terminated as well? Their online handles still have UT and their titles, was just wondering if the entire staff was terminated.

Employees until new staff hired. They are expected to still work, recruit etc. Hard to do under the circumstances, but still getting paid.

 

[Majors]

Much as I've defended Jon, and I really do think he's been an unfair target for a bunch of men who can't stand Daddy working for Mama, the problems with a family package deal are obvious. Espec at departure time.

But my question is can we use no families as a hard and fast restriction when it's a growing thing across WBB? Can't hire Vic bc of Blair? I've always thought if the AD can work thru it so can I.

That’s not true, many here wanted to know what he brings to the staff to make us better. Duplicate position coach who doesn’t recruit. Was he over game prep, film…what does he do great?

 

[glv98]

I didn’t really ever have a problem with the nepotism; however, having a spouse on staff when you have two younger kids at home seems like it could put you at a disadvantage in recruiting. You can’t both be on the road at the same time because someone has to stay home and watch the kids. Grandparents or a sitter can step in some, but these days it seems like recruiting is an all the time thing. With Vic and Blair, they could both hypothetically be on the road to recruit at the same time. I don’t think Curry has young kids at home, and I honestly don’t know about the Fortier family. Just an interesting hurdle that popped in my mind.

Nannies and Grannys. These folks make lots of money, can afford full time nannys. Pat's nanny was very much a family member,

 

[VolBall09]

To continue the thought, it seems counterproductive too. You have a salary pool for assistants, but unless your spouse is a great coach, it's not going to contribute to your success nearly as much as hiring a great coach with the same money.

This has been most our arguments against this system on the board.

It has less to do with nepotism and more to do with being a thought vacuum for me. No reason to pay double for the price of one opinion, set of connections, experience and perspective.

So much of this game is about connections and experience. You need the most diverse coaching staff you can find. Kellie and Jon have the same resume. Copy, paste, print.

I am NOT A fan of any husband wife duo (since I have to be explicit for glv_98).

But if you look at Adia Barnes and her husband they both bring something. He has tons of international coaching and playing experience and that has gotten them some seriously good players like Helena Pueyo. You could make an argument he’s qualified even without Barnes. Meanwhile she had a fab career at AZ, in the pros and for team USA and has her own set of basketball connections.

You could not make that same argument for Jon. Without Kellie he has no qualifications on his own. Our resident sensitive Sally’s will have their feeling hurt over that statement, but it’s the Gods honest truth. If you want to find a difference in their resume you have to go all the way back to their playing days.

 

[Amb3096]

And Miles was asked to leave...

Yeah, after finishing out her freshman year and then playing her entire sophomore year. But the pearl clutching contingent here seemed to overlook her alcohol fueled escapades, but acting like Kamila and Angel are the devil incarnate for their on-court infractions.

I don't know if she was asked to leave or not, but if Kellie ran as tight of a no-nonsense ship as most claim, she should have been sent packing way sooner than that.

 

[spojo13]

Nannies and Grannys. These folks make lots of money, can afford full time nannys. Pat's nanny was very much a family member,

Yeah, I mentioned sitters and grandparents. I can’t remember when the divorce occurred with Pat exactly, but Tyler did have at least one parent home. It’s got to be tough as parents to feel like your kids don’t have either parent at home for months.

 

[Amb3096]

Much as I've defended Jon, and I really do think he's been an unfair target for a bunch of men who can't stand Daddy working for Mama, the problems with a family package deal are obvious. Espec at departure time.

But my question is can we use no families as a hard and fast restriction when it's a growing thing across WBB? Can't hire Vic bc of Blair? I've always thought if the AD can work thru it so can I.

If he had more concrete qualifications besides "CHO", then he probably wouldn't have gotten as much heat (example would be Shea Ralph's husband). I don't mind nepotism if the family hire actually meets the qualifications.

 

[VolCalls]

Until he misses on everyone until he settles on the mid major coach where he came from (Heupel).

I don’t think DW makes a move like this a week after the season ends unless he has someone else already lined up. I expect an announcement by the end of the week.

 

[glv98]

Yeah, I mentioned sitters and grandparents. I can’t remember when the divorce occurred with Pat exactly, but Tyler did have at least one parent home. It’s got to be tough as parents to feel like your kids don’t have either parent at home for months.

LOL, pretty sure some would argue whether RB was actually "at home" or not.

The counterargument, and the one most wife/hubby duos make, is that it actually keeps young families together if both spouses want to coach. If they coached different places, one would literally never see their kids.

All water under the bridge, the Harpers are gone.

 

[glv98]

I don’t think DW makes a move like this a week after the season ends unless he has someone else already lined up. I expect an announcement by the end of the week.

from your keyboard to the bball gods ears. I'm holding on to the hope too.

 

[VolBall09]

Yeah, I mentioned sitters and grandparents. I can’t remember when the divorce occurred with Pat exactly, but Tyler did have at least one parent home. It’s got to be tough as parents to feel like your kids don’t have either parent at home for months.

RB worked in banking. I think Tyler was with Pat most all the time.

I believe the Harper’s were similar in that the kids were generally included and not excluded in things like that.

Some players and families love that and are looking for that “family feel.” Then you have players like some of her former Mo State players who indicated they felt more like babysitters than college basketball players.

 

[spojo13]

LOL, pretty sure some would argue whether RB was actually "at home" or not.

The counterargument, and the one most wife/hubby duos make, is that it actually keeps young families together if both spouses want to coach. If they coached different places, one would literally never see their kids.

All water under the bridge, the Harpers are gone.

Yeah, I’m not gonna get anywhere near RB…

I think the counterargument is true for in season, but not sure it would be for offseason recruiting. If both were on the road during this time, it would be the same principle of never seeing their kids.

 

[creekdipper]

Are you a preacher/pastor?

Sadly, no.

 

[spojo13]

RB worked in banking. I think Tyler was with Pat most all the time.

I believe the Harper’s were similar in that the kids were generally included and not excluded in things like that.

Some players and families love that and are looking for that “family feel.” Then you have players like some of her former Mo State players who indicated they felt more like babysitters than college basketball players.

For sure when they were both in Knoxville in season and could have the kids with them always. I wonder if they had the kids tag along in recruiting visits and tournament circuits? I think Tyler tagged along some. If they were constantly with them during recruiting season then no issue at all. If the kids had sports or activities in the summer, it gets harder. In any case as glv said “water under the bridge”

 

[aRmo]

I don’t think DW makes a move like this a week after the season ends unless he has someone else already lined up. I expect an announcement by the end of the week.

Correct, i think he sent feelers out after the tournament and got a good positive feedback from who he wants. This shouldnt take long imo.

 

[mudcat1973]

You've been hanging around glv's support group too much.

John Adams was in the bunch of people That believe Kellie was not going to get it done.
He said he would think if Tennessee was worse next year they make a change.

By his off the hook commits he said his sources and people he knew said Danny White wasn't even close to firing Kellie.
Something change South Carolina Was way worst than North Carolina state

They was not a reason coming to get Tennessee out of the buyout
So Tennessee waited for a discount

 

[Memvol44]

RB worked in banking. I think Tyler was with Pat most all the time.

I believe the Harper’s were similar in that the kids were generally included and not excluded in things like that.

Some players and families love that and are looking for that “family feel.” Then you have players like some of her former Mo State players who indicated they felt more like babysitters than college basketball players.

I've never read that from a former player.Can you pull up that quote please?

 

[glv98]

Yeah, I’m not gonna get anywhere near RB…

I think the counterargument is true for in season, but not sure it would be for offseason recruiting. If both were on the road during this time, it would be the same principle of never seeing their kids.

True, and probably why Jon didn't on road recruit.

Bottom line, IMO making the head coaching job less family friendly would hurt us going forward.

 

[creekdipper]

RB worked in banking. I think Tyler was with Pat most all the time.

I believe the Harper’s were similar in that the kids were generally included and not excluded in things like that.

Some players and families love that and are looking for that “family feel.” Then you have players like some of her former Mo State players who indicated they felt more like babysitters than college basketball players.

It's been my experience that young females generally tend to relish the taking care of, playing with, and doting upon children far more than males do. I doubt that the Harpers required players to skip drills in order to change diapers or that the parents called in the players to sit Jackson and Kylie while the parents went out for the night. I could see how the kids could be a distraction for some during road trips or pregame.

I've heard that "babysitter" thing here before but never saw any official sources mentioning it.

 

[VolBall09]

I've never read that from a former player.Can you pull up that quote please?

It was posted on here and on Twitter when she was hired. She wasn’t exactly popular with some of the players on her team. Long since deleted.

 

[spojo13]

True, and probably why Jon didn't on road recruit.

Bottom line, IMO making the head coaching job less family friendly would hurt us going forward.

Oh for sure. Just hoping for the best like I think most of us are here