Kim Caldwell (Rookie Coach of the Year-WBCA) is named Head Coach of Iconic Lady Vols WBB

[River67]

What about Kelly Graves at Oregon? He's the one that put Gonzaga on the map and made deep runs (you could argue Fortier has only maintained what he built).

Oregon in the B1G has more travel and only a partial media share for the next few years, don't think Nike money will be supporting them to the same degree as their football team through that.

Kelly has went down since Sabrina and Co graduated. Great recruiter, but for some reason they all transfer out after a season or 2. He was one who I thought would lose his job after the season. Three of his best players just hit the portal too

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

We have our coach. I’m not close enough to know who and I’m not getting answers, but it’s done. As I said two days ago, we’ll hear next week.

So I’ve been interacting with you since the MIT Beaver days, and you’ve always been a class act and pretty on point with your recent insider knowledge. But I’m also a cynic at times, so forgive me on that point when I ask: if we have our coach, as you say, why would we not announce? I don’t see it being anyone currently in the tournament, and to me, that’s the only reason to not announce. So can you enlighten us on the why we’re waiting?

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

I SAW something very different...

That’s your story. I heard something different. Players love Kellie the person, not the coach.

 

[TrippieRedd]

.

 

[Smallvol#1]

Does Bugs know basketball ?

But he could bring MJ in as an assistant. That would pull in the players! Bugs could just sit back and eat a carrot.

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

I'm going to guess that an interview was never offered...

Sorry if already posted, but I'm hearing Lawson has declined an interview at UT

 

[pasadenavol]

At this point, I don't care if it's a mid major or not as long as:
1. They are a great X's and O's coach
2. Understand how to build team chemistry
3. Are a proven winner at whatever level they coach
4. Can hire the best recruiter and staff money can buy
5. Has a big old bag of NIL money to attract some SEC level talent

Oh, and understand how to substitute and when to call timeouts!

 

[turbovol]

So we're told we have a coach. What's the betting line on who's got the job?

As anybody heard or seen anything reported by the press or fans at the various schools about their coach getting
interviewed or considered for this job? I've seen/heard nothing, which is quite unusual. I scanned yesterday's sports news pertaining to Gonzaga,
Colorado, Baylor, Oregon State, Louisville, Maryland board...and nothing.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

So I’ve been interacting with you since the MIT Beaver days, and you’ve always been a class act and pretty on point with your recent insider knowledge. But I’m also a cynic at times, so forgive me on that point when I ask: if we have our coach, as you say, why would we not announce? I don’t see it being anyone currently in the tournament, and to me, that’s the only reason to not announce. So can you enlighten us on the why we’re waiting?

That’s fair. Message I got was “back and forth on a term sheet”, and close enough for me to think it’s done, but probably not close enough to announce. If they don’t get caught on any key terms, I assume we’re within a day or two (Monday/Tuesday).

 

[Vfl2407]

We have our coach. I’m not close enough to know who and I’m not getting answers, but it’s done. As I said two days ago, we’ll hear next week.

If it’s a home run hire, I’d love to see it leaked right before or at halftime of Sundays title game for maximum impact.

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

That’s fair. Message I got was “back and forth on a term sheet”, and close enough for me to think it’s done, but probably not close enough to announce. If they don’t get caught on any key terms, I assume we’re within a day or two (Monday/Tuesday).

I don’t know anything about contract law, but that does make sense. If that’s the case, I’m hoping that means it’s someone big enough to have a legit agent.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Does Bugs know basketball ?

Bugs can ball

 

[Volstylexx]

This group is not capable of nuance, and doesn’t understand how this works. She is in the family. She is succeeding at a reputable program, but not a top choice for this one now. She has supporters in the family. When White saw that the search would not drop to get to her, they let her know. She maintained her pride, and probably got a raise by saying “I’m staying at Duke”. We maintained peace in the family and a good relationship with her for the future. We may want and need her later. You treat w person of her stature and position with respect and keep doors open. I hope we all wish her well.

interesting that Kim Stephens was so high on the list. She was number 1, and Lawson probably 5th or 6th

 

[mtsuraider06]

I'm going to guess that an interview was never offered...

Correct and neither was Walz.

 

[Volstylexx]

The more I think about it, the more I think we've had our big fish for a few days now.

"In the realm where Lady Vols reign, a new commander ascends, veiled in mystery yet crowned in glory. From the land of Terrapins, she journeys, bearing the torch of triumph, her path lit by victories unseen. Seek ye the oracle of courts, where the round orb bounces and the nets whisper secrets of conquest. Here, amidst the echoes of legends past, the phoenix rises, cloaked in orange, her identity shrouded in enigma. Let the astute ponder and the keen-eyed unravel the tapestry of leadership anew. The dawn of an era beckons, where the legacy of Summitt reaches across time, intertwining with the destiny of one chosen to forge the future. Decode this, ye faithful, for in the shadows of greatness, a new architect builds upon hallowed foundations."

 

[mudcat1973]

We have our coach. I’m not close enough to know who and I’m not getting answers, but it’s done. As I said two days ago, we’ll hear next week.

Cora Hall said Tennessee would sigN paperwork this weekend
Announcement first OF next week
Don't know if that happens or not
But your on the same page as Cora Hall

 

[VolCalls]

Kelly has went down since Sabrina and Co graduated. Great recruiter, but for some reason they all transfer out after a season or 2. He was one who I thought would lose his job after the season. Three of his best players just hit the portal too

“Has gone” down.

 

[LUVMESUMVOL]

Well, it wouldn't be wise to alienate Parker, but enough prattling about the "Lady Vol culture." After 15 years of heavy mediocrity, I think
we can all agree it's time to start winning more basketball games. How was the "Lady Vol culture" during the Warlick years? Freese seems a tough cookie, and I doubt we'll hire her, but she's a top-tier coach and would be a massive improvement over our last two coaches. It's this obsession with "Lady Vol culture" that is responsible for the program's slide. If any program needs more of a brass tacks coach, it's ours.

I totally agree with your statement that the so called Lady Vol culture is the reason for the slide it doesn’t appeal to the majority of the young women athletes of today. Like someone posted a day or so ago it’s some reasons that a lot of people don’t want to hear but these young ladies have a different mindset than the back in the day women athletes

 

[Volstylexx]

Any chance they announce tomorrow before the championship game for publicity?

If it's a big fish, that's exactly when you announce it. You will have more eyes on the sport tomorrow than at any point in women's basketball history. If it's a "win the headline" type splash, trust me it will be in the headlines TOMORROW.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Man folks on Twitter are eating up Richard G West stuff like it’s the gospel.

 

[midtnvol2]

That’s fair. Message I got was “back and forth on a term sheet”, and close enough for me to think it’s done, but probably not close enough to announce. If they don’t get caught on any key terms, I assume we’re within a day or two (Monday/Tuesday).

Thank you for the update.

 

[turbovol]

interesting that Kim Stephens was so high on the list. She was number 1, and Lawson probably 5th or 6th

Why the blue font? I've been strongly opposed to hiring Lawson on the premise that we've had two former players as coaches, and they've both floundered, and you just can't go to the well a third time with the tiresome "Lady Vol" thing. But that opinion was also premised on the idea that we'd hire a proven winner--someone with more experience than Lawson. But if White said, "it's not the right time for Lawson, I'm leaning to Stephens," then I'd say that he was crazy.

 

[Raebo]

So I’ve been interacting with you since the MIT Beaver days, and you’ve always been a class act and pretty on point with your recent insider knowledge. But I’m also a cynic at times, so forgive me on that point when I ask: if we have our coach, as you say, why would we not announce? I don’t see it being anyone currently in the tournament, and to me, that’s the only reason to not announce. So can you enlighten us on the why we’re waiting?

Just a guess on my part
They probably have an agreement in principle.
Now the contract is being drawn up. Signatures of certain school employees.
Sent to new coach. Agent and maybe lawyer reviews. Any questions resolved and maybe new contract written. And finally when all the Ts are crossed and the Is dotted then make announcement. And maybe wait until the new coach is there for the announcement.

 

[Volstylexx]

Why the blue font? I've been strongly opposed to hiring Lawson on the premise that we've had two former players as coaches, and they've both floundered, and you just can't go to the well a third time with the tiresome "Lady Vol" thing. But that opinion was also premised on the idea that we'd hire a proven winner--someone with more experience than Lawson. But if White said, "it's not the right time for Lawson, I'm leaning to Stephens," then I'd say that he was crazy.

That's the reason for the blue font. A few days ago, all the insiders said Danny White was on his P5 A+ number one candidate.. last night it was back-peddling so hard with "Kim Stephens would be a great hire. That's the buzz within the program and players." Today, we get that Danny told Kara she wouldn't be considered because it became obvious quickly that he would not need to go that far down the list. Those statements aren't congruent. That would imply that Kim Stephens was above Kara Lawson on the list to begin with. Does anyone really believe that?

 

[LadyVol1908]