Coach Kellie Harper fired

[glv98]

I really don’t think Kenny would bail on Kentucky after a week, but that would be a baller move lol

That's one of the things that just puzzles the hell out of me about all this. I've been hearing whispers since fall that Brooks wanted to come to the SEC and preferably come here. When he went to KY, that made me think this job definitely wouldn't be open.

I'm confused about all of it. But I do think DW has been a good AD so far and can't imagine him actually making this move without something big in line. He wouldn't. Would he?

 

[VolBall09]

I wonder how much Hammon is getting paid by Las Vegas. Whatever it is, just double it and get her in Knoxville on the next plane please.

$1 million per season. Less than Harper was making. And yes, we can afford to double that.

 

[Ladyvol777]

Wow, I really hope this is not a mastake. I really like her. It’s a hard word out there. I hope this doesn’t come back to bit Tennessee. As always go Lady Vol’s.

 

[SGMVols]

I love coach Sam. I know it's unlikely she stays but I wish she would/could

She blocked me on X and I’ve never even interacted with her.

For that reason she can git too LMAO.

 

[Deebowbear]

Not to anyone paying attention.

We’ve been trying to them

 

[knoxvol52]

That's one of the things that just puzzles the hell out of me about all this. I've been hearing whispers since fall that Brooks wanted to come to the SEC and preferably come here. When he went to KY, that made me think this job definitely wouldn't be open.

I'm confused about all of it. But I do think DW has been a good AD so far and can't imagine him actually making this move without something big in line. He wouldn't. Would he?

He has someone. Not going just wing it.

 

[Majors]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Finley doesn’t keep her commitment. When she committed she asked for a meeting with White to make sure the staff had his support

White is not going to let a freshman in HS dictate his program. Best of luck to the young lady.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Well I was wrong about this just a couple of minutes ago. I truly thought she had one more season to right the ship, despite my thoughts it wouldn't change anything in the big picture.

My GUESS is that in their recent meetings, she could not define solutions being LINED UP through the HS and portal ranks. I trust that DW already has a short list of candidates that have winked back when our people talked to their people. I also bet they will have a demonstrated record AND CPHS worthy integrity levels. The right combination can right the ship pretty fast if they inspire NIL participation to get in the mix. Regardless of coach, our two most recent bigtime transfers combined with our historical position and continued fan support can maximize the curve. For sure it is time for the continuously vocal crowd to step up their donations to the AD and the NIL folks to help in the transition.

 

[Majors]

We’ve been trying to them

And it wasn’t hard…believe what you see and not what you’re told.

 

[arkyvol]

I feel about Kellie the same I felt about Dave Serrano. I wanted badly for them to win, but it became apparent it wasn't going to happen and it was time to move on. I hope that we have the same kind of luck with Kellie's successor that we had with Serrano's.

 

[madtownvol]

“After seeking input from our student athletes.” INTERESTING!

Please don' t further fuel the crap hot takes. The entire statement reads as:

"After seeking input from our student-athletes, I will begin an aggressive search process to find the next leader for our iconic women’s basketball program. To protect the integrity of this process, you will not hear from me until we are ready to announce our new head coach."

That does NOT mean, "oh I talked to the players and then decided to fire Kellie based on their recommendations."

Rather, it is PR speak to suggest that that DW sought the current players input on what they would like to see in a new coach. It is a standard PR box to check in these kinds of transitions.

The players clearly loved Kellie and let's not rub in made-up, gossippy salt in the wound.

 

[lfvol]

Darn! We missed out on Brooks….

Maybe he can do better with a rising star. But Brooks was a very high floor guy that could have brought an elite PG to get things jump started.

 

[Amb3096]

Well, I disappear for a few meetings and come back to this. I must say that while I'm surprised, I'm certainly not disappointed. If not this year, it was all but written in the stars that it was going to happen next year. I do hope that they don't settle for an up and comer or unproven in the big leagues coach, and really swing for the fences for a big name. I also would not be opposed to Jeff Walz, but don't see it happening even if he was interested.

Definitely interesting, I wonder who he talked to and what was said. We’ll never know, but that stood out to me as well.

Maybe he talked to Evina? I do wonder if any players pulled a Mimi Collins when given a heads up (meaning that they were going to transfer immediately, not that they were going to play college ball until they were 30)

Tough decision, but I think the lack of awareness at the end against South Carolina sealed the deal.

Her lack of awareness during the last 1.1 seconds cost them the game. When you think about it, it really did seal the deal. If she had won, then I don't think she would have been let go. The irony is that even though she tried her hardest to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, if Kamilla missed her lucky shot, then she would probably still have a job right now. But giving SC that glimmer of hope was the final nail in the coffin, I suppose.

 

[Volfan2012]

That's one of the things that just puzzles the hell out of me about all this. I've been hearing whispers since fall that Brooks wanted to come to the SEC and preferably come here. When he went to KY, that made me think this job definitely wouldn't be open.

I'm confused about all of it. But I do think DW has been a good AD so far and can't imagine him actually making this move without something big in line. He wouldn't. Would he?

I hope we have the answer by Friday need to get some portal players. See who is staying or leaving. I think were looking to pay at least 2 million maybe more for the right person. Throwing up a lot of names on twitter and Lawson is winning all the polls. I don't think she will be the one, but sure getting a lot of play on twitter. Also Wes Moore, Vic Schaeffer, and someone named Tomeika Reed.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Which makes me throw up in my mouth a bit if true. If we're beginning an aggressive search now,only to end up w the next up and comer, we're in big, big trouble.

Not sure what to believe at this point, but I sure hope he's got a couple of true home run possibilities at least lined up. And not the usual suspects who aren't coming in a million years.

I'd guess he has a short list already and will quickly get input from the players (as he did with Heupel hire) and then start interviewing the best candidates.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

I'd guess he has a short list already and will quickly get input from the players (as he did with Heupel hire) and then start interviewing the best candidates.

I don’t think he needs input from the current players, most will be gone anyway.

 

[River67]

White is going to let a freshman in HS dictate his program. Best of luck to the young lady.

I’m just saying, don’t be surprised if doesn’t stay committed

 

[Bighairlol]

Nope. No more Pat Summit ties.

Yeah, because they are all so absolutely awful. SMDH

 

[glv98]

I'd guess he has a short list already and will quickly get input from the players (as he did with Heupel hire) and then start interviewing the best candidates.

If he's not at least that far along, we're in deep trouble. But I do have a certain trust level with what DW has done so far.

The absolute importance of this hire cannot be overstated. And has to happen within the next week or so

 

[Volfan2012]

If we don't have a hire by Friday their team is still playing in the NCAA Tourney.

 

[Ratvol]

Coaching searches are great. Thousands of individuals guessing and speculating.

Almost as entertaining as watching a monkey throw poop at the wall trying to make it stick.

That's funny. I almost blew my Dasani water out my nose.

 

[VolFuture]

I used to want Walz but again, not anymore. Though I do think there is a 70/30 chance he would keep Sam on staff if he was hired. He tried to lure her back to Louisville a couple times. They were a better team when she was there so they must have made a good combo.


Right now the candidates I’d like to see us entertain are Becky Hammon, Dawn Staley, Scott Rueck and maybe one quality up and comer deserves an interview.

Realistically I think we get someone the caliber of a Rueck. But it’s my pipe dream to have Becky or Dawn in Knoxville.

When we fired Holly my pipe dream was Mulkey and everyone said I was nuts and she would never leave Baylor due to her success there. I kept saying she would jump for the right amount because she didn’t get on with the admin there. Sure enough…

Dawn won’t… no way. I would love Hammond.

I think many are gonna be disappointed by the hire

There aren’t many Candidates

 

[VolFuture]

If we don't have a hire by Friday their team is still playing in the NCAA Tourney.

Yeah who… I don’t see it in those coaches

 

[madtownvol]

That's one of the things that just puzzles the hell out of me about all this. I've been hearing whispers since fall that Brooks wanted to come to the SEC and preferably come here. When he went to KY, that made me think this job definitely wouldn't be open.

I'm confused about all of it. But I do think DW has been a good AD so far and can't imagine him actually making this move without something big in line. He wouldn't. Would he?

BREAKING NEWS: Kenny Brooks announcement!

It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to be Kentucky's women's basketball head coach for nearly a week. The community has welcomed me and my family and touched out hearts forever. I will never forget my time here and all that the Kentucky women's basketball community has meant to me.

But, I just got offered the LV head coaching job. What do you think I am stupid? This was the easiest decision of my life. See ya' later suckers....

 

[cardvolfan]

When a true legend such as Pat Summitt has to be replaced, from a time perspective, you’ve got a certain amount of time to keep the program in the upper echelon of college women’s basketball. There is a timeline which I feel like the Lady Vols have almost exhausted. The firing was the right thing to do, IMO, but White needs to hit a home run here because the impressionable kids growing up now will not remember Pat’s dynasty.