Holly Warlick should step down after this season

[governmentmule]

Depends. Dave is looking for a contract extension right now. Who are the voices of support at UT for that extension? Who are the voices of opposition at UT regarding his tenure? Are Lady Vol basketball supporters voicing their opinions? Are they in opposition?

Those are important questions to ask because I think its pretty obvious Dave Hart has a history of paybacks a mile long. If he survives with less than universal support in the athletic department and the LV supporters are loudly on record against him I can definitely see him exacting some revenge as his last act--with Holly Warlick as collateral damage.

that does sound about right for Bama Dave

 

[Voldon18]

First, I hope JJones will be okay. It breaks my heart to see a Lady Vol on the floor in pain, and concussion-related injuries still are so baffling. It harkens back to Ariel. God's speed.

I've voiced my disapproval of Holly as head coach (was perfect as Coach Summitt's assistant because she was a great buffer for the players), but the piling on when someone is down doesn't sit well. So I'll go for the positives first and will be as diplomatic as possible with the negatives, I promise.

Positives:

Diamond of old is coming around as the rust dissolves. She's a joy to watch, and we as LV fans are lucky to have her. Continue to shine bright Ms. DeShields! Take over this team and put them on your back as all legendary players do.

This team fights hard. That's one admirable trait they get from their head coach.

Bash is having a great year, but she needs to be more confident in her mid-range shot, especially since our point guards are not taking the pressure off the post by shooting horribly.

Negatives:

Talking about our point guards. This is Holly's point (pun intended) of expertise, yet it's our weakest link on the floor. Cooper's best game was her first as a LV, but as she receives more hands-on coaching, she's digressing. This is a major concern, and should be for even the most staunch and stubborn Holly supporters. Please set some dribble-drive plays for this young talent, Holly. She has the God-given ability to dazzle. Now, and please don't get me wrong because I love every lady who dons the LV uniform, but Jordan Reynolds has regressed so much since arriving on campus. She's a total liability on the floor who can't hit the short jumper to save her life. I don't understand Holly's infatuation with her.

Mercedes needs to get physically stronger. I so admire her talent and spirit, but she must hit the weight room. Bulkier centers are going to give her fits this year. This is why teams like Texas and SC scare me.

Injuries. Is this program cursed? Last year was unbelievable, yet Nared, Dunbar, Jackson and Jones have gone down this year already, and Diamond and Mercedes are still working through prior issues. Eternal powers or Lords of Luck, enough already. Please.

Folks, Holly is here to stay for at least two more years, to serve Hart's over-inflated ego if nothing else. He took a lot of criticism for the way he forced Pat out (no matter what you may hear or read to the contrary), so he has much invested in the hire of Warlick. And he actually likes Holly.

No matter who our AD is at the time, Tyler Summitt will be the next head coach! Fact. Give him a couple more years to get some HC experience, then he'll be ready to lead us back to glory, and he'll be home and more able to watch over his mother's situation. It's meant to be. And it will be deserved not just for his birth rights, but his ability, drive and charisma. Don't underestimate the latter. It's vital in a sport which needs all the help it can get to draw attention. Tyler already has more national news attention and media interest in the last two years than Holly has had in a 30+ year career.

Let's see if this loss will propel us to a long winning streak last last year. I wanted to depart with a positive thought.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend. God bless!

 

[the_great_pumpkin]

They will beat Stanford. They may lose to Oregon State and Notre Dame, but I think they will beat South Carolina and likely all other SEC opponents. Of course, the team staying healthy is key. Nared and Dunbar will be fine in short order, and DeShields is just getting better and better. I fear for Jones, though.

Have you been watching the same Lady Vol basketball team I have been watching? At this point with all the poor shooting, redonkulous turnovers, no boxing out, silly fouls, untimely substitutions, and soft defense-- how can one say that we will beat Stanford, South Carolina, and all the other SEC teams out there? I sure hope you're right but unless at least a few of these things are corrected, I don't see us prospering against the good teams we can't out talent.

 

[the_great_pumpkin]

This is her 4th season. She's terrible. Been saying it for awhile now. Geno A would destroy this team with HW at the helm. Muffet McGraw would do the same. LVols BB is dying slowly.

Geno would destroy HIS team with OURS.

 

[Vfl2407]

First off:
She is a great person with a charming personality.
She has shown great loyalty to UT. True VFL.
Local girl at Bearden that grew into great player at UT then wonderful recruiter and assistant to Pat.
I really, really have wanted her to succeed now as head coach.
But, when I take off my orange colored glasses and put my personal feelings for Holly aside, I have big concerns.

Seems we have missed out in some big recruiting battles and we just aren't developing and gelling what we have.
I really thought going into this year that we finally had Final Four type talent again.
If we do, we certainly haven't looked like it yet this year.
I know we are still experimenting with rotations and maybe that's the biggest problem . I hope so.
Frustrated LVfan. :ermm:

 

[gule]

nah, you're the only one..... lol

 

[madtownvol]

[

 

[dillyo51]

Question for anyone that knows. Who were the potential coaches interviewed after CPS stepped down?

 

[dillyo51]

Jesus Christ. Maybe he can perform miracle and shut some of you up.

Why are you so angry?

 

[orangeluvr]

Nega bait thread.

 

[teacherdean]

This team is barely a top ten team. I know Holly is a good person but that does not always help you in coaching and bringing in top talent, especially in your areas of need. When the Lady Vol team was one of the top programs in America it recruited itself and Pat could easily close the deal. There is a reason top post players have turned us down.

I want to be upbeat but this program, in my estimation, is not a top five team, and sad to say but maybe not a top ten program. Do I think Holly is trying, yes indeed, it is just not together.

We have players like Russell, that are not where they need to be. Excuses like this is only her second year does not hold water because she is not doing the simple things, blocking out, being aggressive, and being accretive at all times. This young lady has great talent.

 

[dillyo51]

Pat used to spank him, no matter where he went. I think some coaches have other coaches numbers. Jim is not the right coach for the Lady Vols. Holly is the right coach. The product on the court has to get better tho. lol

What is on the bench has to get better...coaches. Who is the stud recruiter for the Tennessee?

 

[photovol]

Holly Warlick is only a shadow of Pat Summit and needs to be replaced with someone that will continue the Lady Vols tradition of winning National Championships

 

[madtownvol]

Holly Warlick is only a shadow of Pat Summit and needs to be replaced with someone that will continue the Lady Vols tradition of winning National Championships

YES! We must find someone who lead the LVs to 9 more NCs and let's get it done now. No time to waste. Should we check on Monster.Com? or post an ad on craig's list. I mean there are so many coaches who can lead teams to NCs just hanging around with nothing to do.

 

[TNRitz]

Geno would destroy HIS team with OURS.

This the truth!! We have talented players, but can't figure out how to utilitize that talent. I will say that the players missing point-blank shots is not on Holly; however, the lack of an offensive game plan is solely on her shoulders!!

 

[LVJeff]

...Dunbar didn't play any,I'm not sure if that is injury related or not...

Mule, she was in a walking boot on the sidelines.

 

[Ace]

So?

Great response

 

[Sandvol]

Great response

She wouldn't understand your sarcasm.

 

[Benionsopinion]

piss on Geno and I hope some splatters on Muffys shoes while it is happening, that is what I think of hearing about them all the time

CHWs record and Tournament play would be a lot different with some healthy teams,my one big hope for this year is that they can stay fairly healthy for a change,but that doesn't seem to be in the cards this year either

DeShields looks gimpy at times

Dunbar didn't play any,I'm not sure if that is injury related or not

Nared has been out with a broke bone in her hand and is missing valuable early playing time

Jones went down hard again and had to leave the game,hopefully not another concussion

this is one of the reasons that I wished CHW would carry a couple of project players,you never know when somebody will need to step up and play some minutes in a game

Hey,Mule,it's always good to hear your points. As for me,it looks like our Lady Vols,with the exception of Diamond and Bash,have a ton of project players. They fit in with seemingly project coaches on the sideline. Much has been made in this thread about developing team chemistry. That,of course,comes from playing together. The substitution pattern so far has kept cohesion from manifesting itself. In one game,the first sub went in with one minute and fifty one seconds gone in game time. Another went in about thirty seconds later. I know that coaches want to see how players mesh,but this is done in practice,not in the heat of game action. All our Ladies are on a learning curve,but some progress should be seen from players who have been in the program longer. Freshmen have a longer curve,but we have one(Cooper) who plays a lot and one(Jackson) who plays sparingly. Coaches decisions. Yesterday Jordan Reynolds played 32 minutes,Andraya Carter played 23 minutes. Coaches decision. On a team with a coaching staff that stresses defense,we never stopped the runout by Texas guards,we never guarded three point shooters because we were sagging into the paint to help post defense which effectively reduced Russell's effectiveness on defense because she had no room to move,and we could not contain a freshman in her fifth game who looked like an All American.Once again,injuries have reared up to slow progress for the team. I'm afraid Jones will be out for some time,judging from her reaction yesterday. Dunbar has an ankle sprain which is always a big question.And Nared with the broken hand is said to have missed no practice time,yet it will take time to work her into playing condition. So,all in all, players must need to step up,but so do the coaches. Posters have legitimate complaints about both. As a final note,did our Lady Vols not just play five games in eleven days? Maybe tired legs were a factor yesterday. We will continue to cheer on our Ladies and push them to keep improving.

 

[Smallvol#1]

Jesus Christ. Maybe he can perform miracle and shut some of you up.

He can, but He won't...it's that free will stuff stepping in.

Course we can wish He would.

 

[Smallvol#1]

Mark Richt... sorry wrong thread.

Mark Richt has lost control of the UT Athletics Department.

 

[Smallvol#1]

Serious question. Attendance has been gradually declining, and I don't see that changing with the product on the court. Aside from that, how do we let the "powers that be" know how dissatisfied fans are with the direction of the program?

Or does administration have such little regard for women's basketball, IS there anything else that can be done? With the level of underachievement, and NO help on the way, this is the worst shape the program has been in since.... ever? The longer it takes before action is taken, the deeper I fear the hole will get....

Nailed it, Darth.

 

[EZE]

I think you have to wait to see where things shake out at the end of the season,

There is a lot of basketball left to be played. Teams are judged by what they do in March and not Novemer-December. AND, I doubt an interim coach is a better alternative.

One thing about our fan base is troubling. Nothing ever seems good enough. From Cuonzo and the Sweet Sixteen, Butch resurrecting a rotting football program, and Holly with the toughest task of all-replacing a legend. Anything less than an undefeated, National Championship season is always met with such ridiculous vitriol.

 

[ivyleague]

I think you have to wait to see where things shake out at the end of the season,

There is a lot of basketball left to be played. Teams are judged by what they do in March and not Novemer-December. AND, I doubt an interim coach is a better alternative.

One thing about our fan base is troubling. Nothing ever seems good enough. From Cuonzo and the Sweet Sixteen, Butch resurrecting a rotting football program, and Holly with the toughest task of all-replacing a legend. Anything less than an undefeated, National Championship season is always met with such ridiculous vitriol.

This. Too many Tennessee fans are entitled, and the enraged rhetoric that follows a loss (or a win that wasn't a total blow-out) is beyond ridiculous.

 

[Unimane]

I think you have to wait to see where things shake out at the end of the season,

There is a lot of basketball left to be played. Teams are judged by what they do in March and not Novemer-December. AND, I doubt an interim coach is a better alternative.

One thing about our fan base is troubling. Nothing ever seems good enough. From Cuonzo and the Sweet Sixteen, Butch resurrecting a rotting football program, and Holly with the toughest task of all-replacing a legend. Anything less than an undefeated, National Championship season is always met with such ridiculous vitriol.

Baloney. Tennessee fans expect, or should, as some are being conditioned to accept less now more and more often, to reach their potential as a program in the respective sports. Each of the three coaches you have listed aren't panned because of some ridiculous notion that they haven't won national championships, it's because they haven't won anything of note or are chronic underachievers relative to the potential of the program. To your examples:

- Jones has won nothing of consequence ever in his career and regularly choked away big leads against good teams. His saving grace thus far is that he is recruiting well and not Derek Dooley. Otherwise, he is a poor game manager who spouts nonsense cliches and gimmicky notions by the bushel.

- Martin is the definition of a mediocre coach, who has made the NCAA tournament exactly one time in his career and, the one time he did, lucked into an easy draw with three NBA players on his roster. His team was saved from another underachieving season by players rallying around a petulant petition by fans. He is already on his way to another dud of a season at Cal, similar to these ones he had here at UT.

- Warlick has perpetually looked overmatched coaching against the better teams in the country and hasn't made a Final Four in a top heavy sport in which she coaches at one of the two, by far, most prominent programs.

So, this hyperbole that Tennessee fans have unrealistic expectations of national championships every year is utterly ridiculous and avoid any sort of rational reflection of the true status of the the program at hand. The reality of the situation is that Tennessee fans have entirely reasonable expectations and the coaches haven't been able to meet these expectations. Anyone who thinks the program is doing fine hasn't been paying attention to the clear underachieving varsity sports have been doing at UT for about a decade now.