Coach Kellie Harper

[DarkPhoenix]

I think anyone that isn’t dug in one way or another on Kellie can see that multiple things cam be true. NIL might be less than desirable, and Kellie hasn’t proven herself as a consistent high level winner against ranked teams. I don’t see how improving one without improving the other will change things. Even if they do throw more money at recruits, other coaches can say you can get your coins and win here, not at UT.

I would say she’s not a high level winner because she doesn’t put the right roster together, I’m pretty confident is she had a stacked roster she would win.

 

[glv98]

I would say she not a high level winner because she doesn’t put the right roster together, I’m pretty confident is she had a stacked roster she would win.

Sure like to find out.

 

[ttharp]

Not a hard thread to follow. Since she can't win with less, if we're going to keep her let's give her money to buy more and see if she can win with more.

I'm not sure why ya'll act like someone wants to rob you're personal piggy bank to get NIL money for the LVs. Why begrudge it? If NIL $ wasn't "it", then ok, fire her and we have a nice bag to start the next guy off well. I'm happy if we're getting more $ whether we ever had any or not. Why is that a big deal?


One theory would be the already winning coaches with already big time programs were able to easily attract NIL funds when that became necessary to get the best recruits. I think what gets recruits is $$ plus the chance to win big. When someone can offer both of those, they're hard to beat out in recruiting. The rich always get richer.

So the already winning coaches were able to easily attract NIL funds. Got it.

Well we clearly don’t have that in Kellie. And with the way things are currently looking heading into next season, we definitely won’t be winning big. Or any more than we did last season.

 

[Majors]

Not a hard thread to follow. Since she can't win with less, if we're going to keep her let's give her money to buy more and see if she can win with more.

That last line needs to be said out loud.

You don’t hope for “see if she can win with more” years. People value their money more than hoping.

 

[glv98]

So the already winning coaches were able to easily attract NIL funds. Got it.

Well we clearly don’t have that in Kellie. And with the way things are currently looking heading into next season, we definitely won’t be winning big. Or any more than we did last season.

I mean, it feels logical to me that NIL money would flow to successful programs and not ones like our current one who is more of an unsure bet.

 

[glv98]

That last line needs to be said out loud.

You don’t hope for “see if she can win with more” years. People value their money more than hoping.

But almost any other coach, espec the ones we're likely to get at this point, would be "see if she/he can win with more". Apparently someone has already invested in that hope. So if AD thinks the money will change things, it's his call whether to keep what he's got and not upset the whole apple cart or give the bag to someone new. I think that's exactly the decision. Half of us will be unhappy.

 

[House|RockyTop]

Every recruit is different...Apparently Coach Sam has found some that $$$$ wasn't the first factor in their recruitment.

At this point, this is the only NIL agenda argument that makes sense. The women’s program recruiting coordinator has finally been given the green light to negotiate with prospects. Not being able to do so in the past does not mean money was not available. It means that negotiations with high school prospects of NIL deals was restricted.
I would also expect this to mean that an announcement of a collective for current players is soon to be in place since if now they are offering HS prospects a NIL deal then all the current players on the roster including a current projected lottery pick and multiple others with past accolades that came here for free will likely demand or deserve to be compensated. A win - win for all. No school.. LSU(which is at a ten million + deficit in their athletics program), Texas, South Carolina, Oklahoma or any other team has more money than Tennessee. Let’s watch it play out. Tennessee is about to dominate the portal.

 

[River67]

Are you saying NIL isn’t the ONLY factor elite recruits weight when choosing a school? Are you saying they also consider the coach and the program? I ask because we’re being told NIL is the MAIN reason elite HS recruits aren’t coming to Knoxville. Apparently they’re not also factoring in the coach and program.

If you have your top 2 schools and really like both coaching staffs, the culture, academics and everything else, but one can only afford say $25k signing bonus and the other $75k, where are you going? I wish they would move women’s basketball under the Vol Club and let Terri take care of the rest. Swimming, golf, rowing and tennis is taking away from basketball and it’s beyond ridiculous, especially since Terri isn’t transparent in how much they’ve raised vs The Vol Club being totally transparent

 

[ttharp]

I mean, it feels logical to me that NIL money would flow to successful programs and not ones like our current one who is more of an unsure bet.

And yet fans are being urged to donate funds to help with NIL.

Some on here have said in response to those that critique Kellie’s recruiting, “if you’re not donating, you’re part of the problem.” As if we’re just supposed to shut up and donate, after losing in 2nd round, losing our best player since Candace, our starting PG and possibly more.

Absolutely not.

 

[Amb3096]

Any chance at all they know a heck of a lot more about this situation than you? But you keep guessing.

Not unless they personally spoke to the players themselves, who then confirmed that they chose not to go to Tenn because a different school offered more money. And we all know that didn't happen, so they are speculating just like the rest of us are.

This is true. And while the majority of players out of high school are looking for $$$, not all of them are. Nyla and Finley are two that committed based on the program and the coach. I'm not sure about Kaniya; I just know she was on her visit when she made her commitment. To this point, none waivered once they said yes to Tennessee.

And now we are back to the narrative of all of the pure angels who aren't tainted by the almighty dollar coming down from the heavens to play for St. Kellie of Mediocrity. Not like those greedy b!tches Ashlynn Shade and Madison Booker who clearly went to the highest bidder. The fact that they chose to play for successful coaches (instead of a journeyman coach) who consistently make it out of the S16 is irrelevant. It's all about the NIL (except for the Tennessee commits who are above it, of course!).

 

[Amb3096]

Every recruit is different...Apparently Coach Sam has found some that $$$$ wasn't the first factor in their recruitment.

It's wonderful how only Tennessee commits are so morally above everyone else, isn't it? #blessed

 

[glv98]

And yet fans are being urged to donate funds to help with NIL.

Some on here have said in response to those that critique Kellie’s recruiting, “if you’re not donating, you’re part of the problem.” As if we’re just supposed to shut up and donate, after losing in 2nd round, losing our best player since Candace, our starting PG and possibly more.

Absolutely not.

Donating to the LVBHC is a good thing and I do it. Very small scale. It allows the "lesser athletes" some true NIL opportunities, and has been great for me to be able to let my game buddy interact w her fave players several times. Well worth it.

But not in the league with the kind of money the program needs apparently to stay competitive. That's a few very big bucks donors.

 

[Majors]

But almost any other coach, espec the ones we're likely to get at this point, would be "see if she/he can win with more". Apparently someone has already invested in that hope. So if AD thinks the money will change things, it's his call whether to keep what he's got and not upset the whole apple cart or give the bag to someone new. I think that's exactly the decision. Half of us will be unhappy.

As I said yesterday, good time to start new. More money doesn’t overcome coaching deficiencies. See using RJ with 1.1 left.

 

[AllVols3]

Does this truly carry merit? I mean, lets look at the 2024 HS commit Kaniya Boyd and verbals of later classes in Nyla Brooks and Finley Chastain. Focusing solely on Boyd, she is rated in the range of multiple prospects that are said to have picked other schools over Tennessee due to the lack of a signing bonus. Do we know the deciding factor was a signing bonus? Could it be perhaps no commitment to a primary role in year one? A year ago, Tennessee had a former McD All-American that was unable to break the rotation. The coach was not at fault. Yet, to kids and their support system at times they only see one side. Other schools would and have used that to recruit against the program.

Back to Boyd, she had several other Power 5 offers including Texas A&M and Florida State. Are we saying that Boyd did not seek a signing bonus? I am certain that she could have secured a NIL deal from another school. Before responding think about the discussion around multiple prospects rated close to and behind Boyd that people are saying went elsewhere for a signing bonus. As for Chastain and Brooks, both had options prior to giving a verbal commit to Tennessee. Still today they would have options. Both will be ranked as Top 10 prospects in their respective classes. Did neither seek a signing bonus?

If you had a girl and school A offered 100K signing bonus and UT offered 0 signing bonus, tells them you'll have NIL opportunities. Which school does your girl play for?

 

[Deebowbear]

But almost any other coach, espec the ones we're likely to get at this point, would be "see if she/he can win with more". Apparently someone has already invested in that hope. So if AD thinks the money will change things, it's his call whether to keep what he's got and not upset the whole apple cart or give the bag to someone new. I think that's exactly the decision. Half of us will be unhappy.

The main ingredient is the coach and she is not the one to take us where we need to be. For one don’t even have a clue who DW would get only him, so far what he’s done has worked out pretty well.

 

[Amb3096]

I think most of we can't recruit because of NIL started with four players Del Rosario, Velez, Shade, and Booker. All four visited a lot, but never committed and the reason was suspected NIL deals at their present schools. Booker came here six times. Makes you think she was waiting for the right deal which never developed.

"Suspected", not known. Perhaps the pedigree of the coaches they chose to play for mattered more than the NIL boogeyman?

 

[glv98]

Not unless they personally spoke to the players themselves, who then confirmed that they chose not to go to Tenn because a different school offered more money. And we all know that didn't happen, so they are speculating just like the rest of us are.

And now we are back to the narrative of all of the pure angels who aren't tainted by the almighty dollar coming down from the heavens to play for St. Kellie of Mediocrity. Not like those greedy b!tches Ashlynn Shade and Madison Booker who clearly went to the highest bidder. The fact that they chose to play for successful coaches (instead of a journeyman coach) who consistently make it out of the S16 is irrelevant. It's all about the NIL (except for the Tennessee commits who are above it, of course!).

It's wonderful how only Tennessee commits are so morally above everyone else, isn't it? #blessed

I think you're way over your skis on this one. I don't think morally superior is it at all. There are so many different factors. Don't think we're equipped to make those judgements. Some have family factors that make upfront money more important than others. No way for us to know.

 

[Deebowbear]

That last line needs to be said out loud.

You don’t hope for “see if she can win with more” years. People value their money more than hoping.

Why is it so dang hard for people to let her go. Be different if she had show she could do she would have already done it. I want to win now not later have waited way too long now

 

[AllVols3]

I think you're way over your skis on this one. I don't think morally superior is it at all. There are so many different factors. Don't think we're equipped to make those judgements. Some have family factors that make upfront money more important than others. No way for us to know.

It's all about the money. How much do most of these girls make in comparison to the men. So a signing bonus is key for the Top 25 girls.

 

[Deebowbear]

So the already winning coaches were able to easily attract NIL funds. Got it.

Well we clearly don’t have that in Kellie. And with the way things are currently looking heading into next season, we definitely won’t be winning big. Or any more than we did last season.

We have got way to many unknowns for the roster next year to say that she can get done

 

[ttharp]

We have got way to many unknowns for the roster next year to say that she can get done

This makes sense.

 

[ABV]

Are you saying NIL isn’t the ONLY factor elite recruits weight when choosing a school? Are you saying they also consider the coach and the program? I ask because we’re being told NIL is the MAIN reason elite HS recruits aren’t coming to Knoxville. Apparently they’re not also factoring in the coach and program.

The majority want a high dollar NIL deal. Five have rejected Tennessee for this reason in the last year. But that doesn't mean every single one is motivated by a top dollar financial incentive. Kellie connected with these 3 who were not. But look at where would we stand if we could have offered those 5 the highest NIL offer. We'd have 8 elite recruits, not 3.... and that's how you create a championship caliber program. Until something changes it, NIL is the main incentive to get those players.

 

[Amb3096]

I think you're way over your skis on this one. I don't think morally superior is it at all. There are so many different factors. Don't think we're equipped to make those judgements. Some have family factors that make upfront money more important than others. No way for us to know.

Exactly, no way for us to know. 100% agree that it's different factors at play, including reputation of the coach. So why is it inferred that Shade, Booker and ADR were bought vs. affording them the same benefit of doubt? I don't ski anyway, so I'm not slipping down the slippery self-righteous slope that many others here are doing.

 

[spojo13]

I would say she’s not a high level winner because she doesn’t put the right roster together, I’m pretty confident is she had a stacked roster she would win.

Maybe. I can see losing to SC or LSU or UConn and those top teams bc the roster is stacked, but what about the other top 25 teams that we’ve lost to or the unranked teams. I don’t think they all have stacked rosters and certainly haven’t had 4 first round WNBA draft picks over the last few years but still beat us? How many more Elite recruits does she need to have a stacked roster?

 

[Deebowbear]

I believe coach Kellie will be terminated tomorrow and Matthew Mitchell will be named new coach. That's the reason he didn't take the KY Job this week even though everybody said he would be their new coach. He went to 3 elite eights at KY and his medical problems are over.

Let’s hope she is tomorrow, but don’t know about Mitchell being the coach he did pretty good at Kentucky.