Coach Kellie Harper

[VolFuture]

...add Dave Hooker to the list of internet trolls looking for clicks for his blog. He's been stirring that pot for weeks.

Do they even watch our games… probably only espn main channel ones if that

 

[VolFuture]

Do they even watch our games… probably only espn main channel ones if that

Never hear them actually cover any of the big setbacks we had… just LVs suck this isn’t Pat your ruining her legacy womp womps

 

[Ghost of A Melon]

That's not what the PR suggests (and I say that not as a NEGA Kellie, but as someone who is well studied in this area in my Ph.D. and my line of work). Danny White has congratulated every other Lady Vol sport this year within 24 hours of the conclusion of the season on X (twitter). Donde Plowman has issued similiar statements of support for teams throughout the season. NEITHER have made a statement of support since the season concluded yesterday.

So now we have to ask why? When organizations are going to make changes they withhold that season ending statement of support to avoid it contradicting the later message that "they will be moving in a new direction." This is why Athletic Directors come out with statements of support of embattled coaches quickly when they don't intend to go in a new direction. They are getting ahead of the PR and publicly stating they believe in and support the current coach. This is why I said yesterday, "Watch the social media of Danny and Donde in the next 24 hours." A statement of support of the team would have indicated she's safe. Both accounts going cold is not by accident. It's by design.

Now, one can argue she isn't embattled, but trust me, Danny White has seen and heard the criticism all season long. His tweet earlier today about the Lady Vol rowing program had anti-Kellie statements in the comments. We know from the historical record, that Danny White does in fact read tweets and comments because he often replies directly to fan requests/ ideas, etc. Given that, there would be no reason for him not to come out and issue a "Congrats on the season" type of tweet if he intended to keep her. Why let speculation grow?

They may very well keep her, but I am more convinced today than I was yesterday, that there are important conversations being had behind closed doors surrounding the future of this program. I have a Masters in Organizational and Strategic Communication. In public relations, every action or inaction sends a close message. You just have to know where to look. The lack of messaging by the AD suggests there is smoke here.. and you know the saying, where there's smoke... there's

More of a general response rather than personally directed:

Oh honeys, Kellie doesn't need the support it's Danny White. He's made to look like he's from some fake creepy catholic cabal with Hollywood ties that's trying to take over the south, but he's not. If people looked more closely, maybe they'd see. I hope they do. Scared the poop outta me for a while.

While we're at it. Barnes is made to look like a fake deacon preachin' pastor, From Texas, yikes. He's just Rick Barnes. He's annoying, but I bet he knows his assistants could take over all the coaching just fine, and he's holding on to see things through. Karen - made out like a former ist or phobe. Well, hats off for showing personal growth in a public lens. Not many people do, and not many get the chance - thank you TN. Remember how the softball girlies always wore ribbons? A lot of non-athlete girls did too, out of fear of being called names otherwise. Maybe it's too shaming, or maybe it feels too inconsequential for people to mention, though. Anyway, no doubt that more than a few coaches have PTSD-like symptoms from the things they have seen student athletes and fellow coaches endure over the years within athletic departments.

Kellie - either some poor helpless woman, a mid midmajor who's totally and forever really awesomely mid (but so so nice isn't she), or some golden child destined to inherit a throne. None of it's true. She's East Tennessee Sparta for f*ks sake. Crowns are for the plebes, for us. Too heavy for a single person to bear, the weight crushes.

As for Hype - I just like him, he's from the Dakotas. A diamond in the rough who will dress a little better eventually.

 

[DeerPark12]

Again, removing what I personally hope for, and looking solely at what their actions are telling us. This a well-calculated Athletic Department. This is an intentional decision... so again, why not come out and support her/ team? Danny White isn't afraid of mean comments in his replies. I'm telling you, this is PR 101. They have had 24+ hours to issue any semblance of support and they haven't.

You're overthinking this. By a lot.

 

[DeerPark12]

Danny is listening to the LV Mafia, meaning the old guard donors. The LV Mafia wants to give Kellie another season. What a bunch of average Joe’s say on X isn’t going to drive his decision.

Look no further than UK’s men’s program for an example of this. If Mitch Barnhardt based his decision on what fans post on X, Calipari would have been gone the second the clock hit 0:00 in UK’s loss to Oakland. As it is, Cal is coming back for another season.

All of that to say, AD’s don’t base their decisions on social media responses. They listen to what the $$$ people want because they need the $$$ people. This is especially true in a non revenue sport.

Dude, those people are dead. The "Lady Vol Mafia" hasn't existed in more than a decade. If those people still existed and had any pull, we never would have gone through the branding disaster in 2014-16 under Dave Hart. They didn't have power then and don't now.

When they moved on from Holly, there were four people on the search committe that Fulmer put together and they were the only four people that he listened to throughoiut the process. None of them were "Lady Vol mafia," they were UTAD administrators, two of whom joined the department after Pat's passing.

People don't understand just how much turnover there has been in both the UTAD staff and the Lady Vol Basketball donor base in the last 10 years. The idea that there are old-guard people that are pulling the strings is total nonsense at this point.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Dude, those people are dead. The "Lady Vol Mafia" hasn't existed in more than a decade. If those people still existed and had any pull, we never would have gone through the branding disaster in 2014-16 under Dave Hart. They didn't have power then and don't now.

When they moved on from Holly, there were four people on the search committe that Fulmer put together and they were the only four people that he listened to throughoiut the process. None of them were "Lady Vol mafia," they were UTAD administrators, two of whom joined the department after Pat's passing.

People don't understand just how much turnover there has been in both the UTAD staff and the Lady Vol Basketball donor base in the last 10 years. The idea that there are old-guard people that are pulling the strings is total nonsense at this point.

I think we obviously are on different pages when we say “old guard”. Im not taking about people who hired Pat. Those people are long gone obviously.

 

[Voltopia]

Dude, those people are dead. The "Lady Vol Mafia" hasn't existed in more than a decade. If those people still existed and had any pull, we never would have gone through the branding disaster in 2014-16 under Dave Hart. They didn't have power then and don't now.

When they moved on from Holly, there were four people on the search committe that Fulmer put together and they were the only four people that he listened to throughoiut the process. None of them were "Lady Vol mafia," they were UTAD administrators, two of whom joined the department after Pat's passing.

People don't understand just how much turnover there has been in both the UTAD staff and the Lady Vol Basketball donor base in the last 10 years. The idea that there are old-guard people that are pulling the strings is total nonsense at this point.

It's far, far easier to blame an invisible boogieman like the "Lady Vol Mafia" than to accept that managing athletics programs is an inexact science, with mostly well intentioned people making a lot of - at best - educated guesses as to what will work.

 

[DeerPark12]

I think we obviously are on different pages when we say “old guard”. Im not taking about people who hired Pat. Those people are long gone obviously.

No, we're on the same page, I wasn't talking about the people that hired Pat.

What I'm telling you is that the people that made the Kellie Harper hire weren't even on staff when Pat was alive. Why that metric is important is that the idea that they were somehow swayed by some boogeyman collective of old-guard donors is nonsense. Now, we've had another entire turnover in athletics department leadership. We're three AD staffs removed from the "old guard" from an employee standpoint.

There aren't even "old-guard" donors in WBB anymore, they've all been dead for years. If you look at the top 100 donor list for the Lady Vols from the last year before donors to men's and women's athletics were consolidated in 2009, you would see what I'm talking about. They're gone. Maybe 10 of the top 100 are still alive.

 

[Lucy]

If this message was coming from anyone other than me, I get that it would carry more weight. Many here don't like what I have to say about Kelli, but I have twenty years of experience in this industry and I have published academic research on organizational communication in some well known scholarly journals. That doesn't mean anything to you - I get it, but I'm telling you, this is a textbook case study in public relations. It is never a good thing when the AD goes silent and you're an embattled coach.

Well VXX got one thing right. He has no credibility.

 

[turbovol]

Dude, those people are dead. The "Lady Vol Mafia" hasn't existed in more than a decade. If those people still existed and had any pull, we never would have gone through the branding disaster in 2014-16 under Dave Hart. They didn't have power then and don't now.

When they moved on from Holly, there were four people on the search committe that Fulmer put together and they were the only four people that he listened to throughoiut the process. None of them were "Lady Vol mafia," they were UTAD administrators, two of whom joined the department after Pat's passing.

People don't understand just how much turnover there has been in both the UTAD staff and the Lady Vol Basketball donor base in the last 10 years. The idea that there are old-guard people that are pulling the strings is total nonsense at this point.

The old guard were responsible for the branding disaster, were they not, as they howled when Hart wanted to get rid of "Lady Vol" name/logo--which we should drop. It's like some vestige of the 1980s.

 

[turbovol]

If I were grading Harper on everything--recruiting (high school + portal, player development and coaching)--I'd give her a C.

 

[turbovol]

More of a general response rather than personally directed:

Oh honeys, Kellie doesn't need the support it's Danny White. He's made to look like he's from some fake creepy catholic cabal with Hollywood ties that's trying to take over the south, but he's not. If people looked more closely, maybe they'd see. I hope they do. Scared the poop outta me for a while.

While we're at it. Barnes is made to look like a fake deacon preachin' pastor, From Texas, yikes. He's just Rick Barnes. He's annoying, but I bet he knows his assistants could take over all the coaching just fine, and he's holding on to see things through. Karen - made out like a former ist or phobe. Well, hats off for showing personal growth in a public lens. Not many people do, and not many get the chance - thank you TN. Remember how the softball girlies always wore ribbons? A lot of non-athlete girls did too, out of fear of being called names otherwise. Maybe it's too shaming, or maybe it feels too inconsequential for people to mention, though. Anyway, no doubt that more than a few coaches have PTSD-like symptoms from the things they have seen student athletes and fellow coaches endure over the years within athletic departments.

Kellie - either some poor helpless woman, a mid midmajor who's totally and forever really awesomely mid (but so so nice isn't she), or some golden child destined to inherit a throne. None of it's true. She's East Tennessee Sparta for f*ks sake. Crowns are for the plebes, for us. Too heavy for a single person to bear, the weight crushes.

As for Hype - I just like him, he's from the Dakotas. A diamond in the rough who will dress a little better eventually.

The winner of our wacky post of the week award.

 

[woodpusher]

Well VXX got one thing right. He has no credibility.

She'd be more worried if he said he were behind her 1000%.

 

[Ghost of A Melon]

The winner of our wacky post of the week award.

Have you seen the rest of this site??? I plead my case, your honor.

WC - people called him wack, but tbh at times I liked the ring announcer voice he was using. It's just that ring announcers aren't there to argue with the crowd!

 

[VOLPAT]

Just a quick poll to see how this board stands on whether Coach Harper should return as coach or we should go in a different direction. On facebook looks like the support is more for her to return than to be fired. I would say there about 70 to 30 for return. Will be informative to know how this board feels about her staying or leaving.

My own personal view is return based on the potential for a top ten 2025 class which may or may not develop. I know were in one players top two and Brooks who to me is a top ten in the 2025 class is already a commit. I also base my vote on the expectations that there will be some upgrades of the roster through the portal mainly post players and an elite point guard. If none of this happens then my vote would change, but this is about right now. You only get one vote so consider your choice carefully. Thanks for participating.

Kellie played on 3 of our National Championship and she knows what to needs to be done. If you think LSU and SC didn’t t buy those teams, think again. The NIL needs to to be provided to keep up in the SEC. She needs to be tougher and her team needs to play tougher.

 

[volfever007]

ok just would not be my move

I respect that.

 

[Memvol44]

EXACTLY. That's why the "give her another year" "let's see how she does" approach just baffles me. We KNOW exactly who she is as a coach. 20 years of experience, ONE conference title and three sweet 16's in TWENTY years. There's no "next year" that will ever change the equation on who she is as a coach.

You keep banging the same subject every post. Aren't you tired of it. Give it a rest, let things play out as they may.

 

[Majors]

I dunno man. They're well represented here in this thread.

Honest observation

 

[glv98]

Dude, those people are dead. The "Lady Vol Mafia" hasn't existed in more than a decade. If those people still existed and had any pull, we never would have gone through the branding disaster in 2014-16 under Dave Hart. They didn't have power then and don't now.

The old guard were responsible for the branding disaster, were they not, as they howled when Hart wanted to get rid of "Lady Vol" name/logo--which we should drop. It's like some vestige of the 1980s.

I saw a group of about 4 or 5 of the classic "old guard" at the SEC tourney and realized how far out of power they actually are. They are old, about my age since I had classes w Debbie Jennings as an undergrad, but these remaining ones were actually the youngest of the "blue hairs" back when they were in power. That's how few are left. And I can promise you from where they sat and from their interactions they are definitely not among the influential. You can tell alot by going to away games where the LV crowd is much smaller and more concentrated in one area.

I think the objection to dropping the branding was much more widespread than the usual suspects. Of course many people hate to see the Lady Vol brand go. I'm very torn on it myself. In general, the use of Lady is very dated and the update is needed. On the other hand, when I hear players like JP and RJ in their recent interviews talk about how much the brand means to the players, I'm unsure again. Right now I don't think it's a major concern at all. More rearranging deck chairs. There are much bigger problems.

 

[Majors]

LOL! If you think that Danny White reads social media posts and threads on 'fan' boards like this...

He seems more analytical. Reads records, banners, attendance (concession sales) and projections. He interacts on Twitter from time to time with fans…so yes he reads social media.

 

[Majors]

Do they even watch our games… probably only espn main channel ones if that

Wondering if those with the fabricated excuses do as well.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

Kellie will be retained as it is cheaper to keep her than hire new coach. Women's sports are just a drag on the ath budget.

Most sports are a drain on the men’s football and men’s basketball budgets. At almost all schools. Just a fact of life.

 

[knoxvol52]

No way In hell school like Kansas or Virginia Tech has more funds in NIL for Women's basketball than Tennessee. Don't believe it never will believe it.

 

[glv98]

No way In hell school like Kansas or Virginia Tech has more funds in NIL for Women's basketball than Tennessee. Don't believe it never will believe it.

Not impossible. All it takes is one or two interested donors with deep pockets. Remember, right now the schools themselves are not involved.

That said, I can't understand how the LVs can't find their own one or two Haslem type donors.

 

[Scotty4lvs]

I doubt it, like Coach Yo said, that’s something u can’t teach u are born with that, show me when we have a player like that and Kelly coaches it out of her.

I agree with this and our need for more of it. You can't teach that true "dawg" mentality and toughness, if a player has it, she has it, and you couldn't coach it out of her if you tried.