Yeah proof is in the pudding. I also love Kara but I’m not making an assessment on her coaching abilities until we see them in action.
We’ve all seen star players over the years that just didn’t translate as coaches. I suspect she’ll do well but I think Kellie will prove to be the better coach long term. Kellie lives and breathes coaching, for Kara I feel like it’s a foray rather than a calling. Wouldn’t be shocked to see her coach 5 years then go back to broadcasting.
I think they’ll be middle of the pack in the ACC. Guard heavy but no rebounders, their big girls just don’t have that aggressive mentality they need.
My opinion of Kara is that she is one if the most brilliant basketball minds -- at ANY level -- in the game today ... but that the jury is still out on whether she'll be able to continue to land the level of talent top contenders need to sign to take them to Natty Land.
Everyone knows Kara is brilliant and skilled and competitive and honest and driven and experienced in everything it takes for a young woman to succeed both on the basketball court and beyond it. But what remains to be seen is whether or not Kara's uber-sincere, perhaps not-the-most-conventionally-fun-personality-type will resonate with today's young people over the long haul. Anyone with eyes and ears has observed that she comes off as so hella serious -- almost Yoda-like -- in a way that could, to some, be a turnoff.
All that said, Lawson is, in my opinion, entirely capable of succeeding as a head coach sooner rather than later -- IF she can continue to sign top-notch players.
As many of us know, Pat Summitt often came off as humorless, too. But those who knew the private Pat knew she had a fantastic sense of humor and a humility that made her lovably approachable. At this point, I don't think Kara Lawson would be described by anyone as "lovably approachable," and whether or not she trains herself how to become that type of person could mean the difference between winning championships and coming close.
IMO, the ultimate Lady Vols coach would be a combination of Kellie and Kara. They are both brilliant, but Kara is focused in a way that is unusually intense, and Kellie's personality is so vibrant and loyalty-inspiring that even mere team supporters are ready to run through fire for her. I have no doubt that mind/personality combo would win multiple championships,
