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

[WVU05UT09]

I was talking it through with one of my friends last night. The word is he is going to make Dawn say no first. After that, it's likely Gottlieb.

I feel like Brenda is one that is showing an interest. If that's the case, it would be a tremendous hire. You're bringing a coach that has been winning at an elite level and bringing her into a environment built for more success. We would be back as a Top 5 program.

If they hire Brenda Friese I'll take off work and drive 5+ hours to setup a popcorn stand outside TBA because there will be folks fit to be tied. Could be entertaining TBH.

 

[VolNash17]

Frese is a perennial choker in the tournament. So many great teams to take a L in the sweet 16

 

[brittannica]

If they hire Brenda Friese I'll take off work and drive 5+ hours to setup a popcorn stand outside TBA because there will be folks fit to be tied. Could be entertaining TBH.

We have a list of folks who would make us regret renewing our season tickets, and she’s on it so you could see us causing absolute scenes

 

[VolCalls]

Really? He was on everybody's list and the local sports talk shows all considered him the coach we hire if we could not get an A list coach

We all knew he was on the list. Nobody thought he would be the actual hire until it was announced.

 

[Ratvol]

If they hire Brenda Friese I'll take off work and drive 5+ hours to setup a popcorn stand outside TBA because there will be folks fit to be tied. Could be entertaining TBH.

I love this board.. So much drama... So many laughs. I truly believe this is a sitcom. Now we have some popcorn to go with it. I was starting to get a tad hungry.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Frese would be a great hire. She is very competitive, tough-minded, successful. I recall some of the Maryland teams in her first several years as being national-title contenders---and she beat us in an Elite Eight game in Warlick's second or third year, when we collapsed in the 2nd half. A strong program. I haven't heard as much from Maryland in recent years and my vague impression is that the program had fallen off. Wrong. The Terps weren't great this year--but the previous four years were all very strong, with a dominant conference record. She got beat by SC in the NCAA year before last, then the year before that lost to Stanford in the NCAA, and the year before that to Texas. So she's had the Terps in title contention.

She's 53 and might like a change of pace. She'd be an outstanding hire. She's got the personality that we need--meaning pretty tough.

I do like her pregame speeches, she knows how to motivate and we haven’t had that since Pat.

 

[LadyVol1908]

Where is Coach Jumper?

Interviewing

 

[creekdipper]

Interviewing

He was there yesterday.

 

[krichunaka]

I expect that the "searching" part is over, that there's a relatively short list being whittled and vetted, and it's good to hear that interest by applicants and agents is high. And I wouldn't be at all surprised if at least one of the "unattainables" zooms, or drops by.

But, here's where the contrarian in me kicks in: I do not want any of the Fab Five. Six. Whatever. The intrigue with Becky Hammon is certainly understandable - and I think she could succeed here, or anywhere, so she could be the lone top-tier exception, albeit with the apparent question marks. Of course, in the unlikely event she's truly interested, the biggest potential hurdle becomes the inevitable, fifteen-to-twenty-million dollar buyout clause. Because, if she's the "item" we appear to think she is, there's simply no reason to ever let her off easy. And, this process would
be applicable for any of the BIGS. I simply don't think any of them would be amenable to such a stipulation, unless he or she would truly consider this job that last big thing.

I agree with glv98, and perhaps several others, that we should not exclude any candidate for the supposed legal concern of nepotism. I say "legal" somewhat facetiously because to date no one has given a rational explanation for how an employee can work for a different boss, than, well, for the actual boss he's working for. Which is to say that if we were to take this hands-off approach, we would lose out on at least one very-capable hubby-wifey tandem. Which is to admit that, I would have the Conzaga coach very high on my list. Because, she has this awful habit of winning. And, because her teams play efficient and organized offense. Players are almost always moving, and with purpose. Which is to point out the two, all-too-conspicuous characteristic of our last five seasons: lack of movement, and erratic guard play; and more-specifically, point guard play. We've seen all too many bad examples to ignore that elephant. Because, if an offense is to be consistently successful, your Point Guard simply cannot be ...an Independent Contractor.

But, back to the future. I would be fine with the Southern Cal coach for all the reasons listed by others. However, I fully expect, but would love to be proven wrong, that NONE of her players would tag along. Because there's a far cry from the Brooks-Amoore, Blacksburg-to-Lexington situation, to the twenty-five-hundred mile jaunt back and forth, and so on, with the West Coast gals.

Of course, they're still young. And, they'll probably log more Big Ten air miles by staying. So, there's that.

Cheers.

 

[plumbervol]

We all knew he was on the list. Nobody thought he would be the actual hire until it was announced.

Because we all thought DW was going to get his A list coach. I was not surprised I knew an A list coach was not going to happen

 

[therickbol]

Probably one reason why Kellie was fired. We had the third best player in the country and didn't really take advantage of that.
View attachment 631730

There is no doubt that a huge piece of evidence that DW used to make his decision was "this is the type of season Harper produced with a Top 5 WNBA draft pick and the recruiting has not given us another Top 5 WNBA draft pick." So that would make this season our ceiling under the current circumstances. And this season being the ceiling is nowhere near good enough for DW. Rightfully so.

 

[b_gann]

Peabody is a great school, even if the name sounds funny. Has been a top notch school for teacher education forever.

Does your friend have inside knowledge? Is that where "the word" came from. BC I'm pretty sure the actual AD has a clamp down on info.

Also, Brenda Frese has not won on an elite level in a minute and her career trajectory is approximately that of Kellie. And she doesn't even have the nice lady image of Kellie. And has a high transfer out rate. And has been on the LV no no list for years since charges of tampering w LV players. IMO that would be an extremely disappointing hire and fall in the category of why bother.

She was in the Elite 8 in 22/23. I'm not sure she's fell off a cliff. There is some slippage in the last 2-3 years, but I think that likely coincides with more parity in the sport recently. Brenda and Kellie do not have similar resumes before coming to UT.

Who would be your hire if Brenda is extremely disappointing?

 

[b_gann]

If they hire Brenda Friese I'll take off work and drive 5+ hours to setup a popcorn stand outside TBA because there will be folks fit to be tied. Could be entertaining TBH.

Who would be your hire?

 

[Lurker]

I expect that the "searching" part is over, that there's a relatively short list being whittled and vetted, and it's good to hear that interest by applicants and agents is high. And I wouldn't be at all surprised if at least one of the "unattainables" zooms, or drops by.

But, here's where the contrarian in me kicks in: I do not want any of the Fab Five. Six. Whatever. The intrigue with Becky Hammon is certainly understandable - and I think she could succeed here, or anywhere, so she could be the lone top-tier exception, albeit with the apparent question marks. Of course, in the unlikely event she's truly interested, the biggest potential hurdle becomes the inevitable, fifteen-to-twenty-million dollar buyout clause. Because, if she's the "item" we appear to think she is, there's simply no reason to ever let her off easy. And, this process would
be applicable for any of the BIGS. I simply don't think any of them would be amenable to such a stipulation, unless he or she would truly consider this job that last big thing.

I agree with glv98, and perhaps several others, that we should not exclude any candidate for the supposed legal concern of nepotism. I say "legal" somewhat facetiously because to date no one has given a rational explanation for how an employee can work for a different boss, than, well, for the actual boss he's working for. Which is to say that if we were to take this hands-off approach, we would lose out on at least one very-capable hubby-wifey tandem. Which is to admit that, I would have the Conzaga coach very high on my list. Because, she has this awful habit of winning. And, because her teams play effecient and organized offence. Players are almost always moving, and with purpose. Which is to point out the two, all-too-conspicuous characteristic of our last five seasons: lack of movement, and irratic guard play; and more-specifically, point guard play. We've seen all too many bad examples to ignore that elephant. Because, if an offense is to be consistently successful, your Point Guard simply cannot be ...an Independent Contractor.

But, back to the future. I would be fine with the Southern Cal coach for all the reasons listed by others. However, I fully expect, but would love to be proven wrong, that NONE of her players would tag along. Because there's a far cry from the Brooks-Amoore, Blacksburg-to-Lexington situation, to the twenty-five-hundred mile jaunt back and forth, and so on, with the West Coast gals.

Of course, they're still young. And, they'll probably log more Big Ten air miles by staying. So, there's that.

Cheers.

Great post!

 

[lvocd]

My current biggest fear is that after the new coach is announced I'm going to have to spend the next few months doing a whole lot of the "don't say anything at all" part of the old saying, "If you having nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all."

I sure hope not, but I have to say the persistent rumor that Walz is on the list is distressing to me. I simply cannot ever see myself getting puffed up with pride and affection for him as the coach of the Lady Vols. To me he tracks way too high on the Slimy Jerk Meter, and I would never be interested in knowing him personallly. I need my Lady Vol coach to be someone I will enjoy knowing.

Oh how I hope we get someone we can all like and be thrilled to support!

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

I expect that the "searching" part is over, that there's a relatively short list being whittled and vetted, and it's good to hear that interest by applicants and agents is high. And I wouldn't be at all surprised if at least one of the "unattainables" zooms, or drops by.

But, here's where the contrarian in me kicks in: I do not want any of the Fab Five. Six. Whatever. The intrigue with Becky Hammon is certainly understandable - and I think she could succeed here, or anywhere, so she could be the lone top-tier exception, albeit with the apparent question marks. Of course, in the unlikely event she's truly interested, the biggest potential hurdle becomes the inevitable, fifteen-to-twenty-million dollar buyout clause. Because, if she's the "item" we appear to think she is, there's simply no reason to ever let her off easy. And, this process would
be applicable for any of the BIGS. I simply don't think any of them would be amenable to such a stipulation, unless he or she would truly consider this job that last big thing.

I agree with glv98, and perhaps several others, that we should not exclude any candidate for the supposed legal concern of nepotism. I say "legal" somewhat facetiously because to date no one has given a rational explanation for how an employee can work for a different boss, than, well, for the actual boss he's working for. Which is to say that if we were to take this hands-off approach, we would lose out on at least one very-capable hubby-wifey tandem. Which is to admit that, I would have the Conzaga coach very high on my list. Because, she has this awful habit of winning. And, because her teams play effecient and organized offence. Players are almost always moving, and with purpose. Which is to point out the two, all-too-conspicuous characteristic of our last five seasons: lack of movement, and irratic guard play; and more-specifically, point guard play. We've seen all too many bad examples to ignore that elephant. Because, if an offense is to be consistently successful, your Point Guard simply cannot be ...an Independent Contractor.

But, back to the future. I would be fine with the Southern Cal coach for all the reasons listed by others. However, I fully expect, but would love to be proven wrong, that NONE of her players would tag along. Because there's a far cry from the Brooks-Amoore, Blacksburg-to-Lexington situation, to the twenty-five-hundred mile jaunt back and forth, and so on, with the West Coast gals.

Of course, they're still young. And, they'll probably log more Big Ten air miles by staying. So, there's that.

Cheers.

Please forgive my ignorance, but I’ve seen a few people mention this. Who exactly are we talking about here?

 

[b_gann]

Not saying people are wrong. It may well be past her time.

But I’m taking her over 90% of the people I’ve seen listed here

Same argument here. She's a clear upgrade over where we've been. Is she Candidate A or B? Probably not. Is she a high-floor and ceiling raising hire? I think that's a clear yes. We'd be back as a Top 10 program I'd imagine.

 

[OrangeInKy]

We all knew he was on the list. Nobody thought he would be the actual hire until it was announced.

I Think we assumed (rightly) he was on the list. I don’t think anyone knew, but it was a pretty logical thing to assume with him being right at UCF. I think it was safe to assume that of the first big options didn’t pan out then he’d talk to the guy he knows, trusts, and works with who had a pretty decent resume thus far.

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

Heupel has had one good season. He'll need to have lots more than that to be considered an exceptional hire. And no matter who the next coach is, it will be 3 years before we see whether progress is being made.

Based on what? This is probably a debate for the football or recruiting forum, but since you brought it up, it needs to be addressed. Just because he didn’t follow his 11-win season with an undefeated natty run that some unrealistic fans thought he should have done, doesn’t mean this last season was a bust. Hell, given what he walked into, I could easily make an argument his 7-5 first season was almost as big of a success story as his 11-win second season was.

 

[WVU05UT09]

Who would be your hire?

1) That is not my personal opinion per se. I think Brenda is a good coach, but I worry she is on the downhill part of her career. I think there are NIL/program investment issues at Maryland so I wouldn't be shocked if she reached out. I don't know what went on between Pat and Brenda. But I trust at least one account from an individual that was with Pat on a near daily basis to trust that if you hire her a sizeable group of people are going to explode.

I don't have a preference. If I were AD my exhaustive contact list would be in no particular order

Becky Hammond, Lindsey Gottlieb, Cori Close, Kevin McGuff, Teri Moren, Jennie Barancyzk.

Note: Vic, Dawn, Niele, Wes Moore not included because I dont see a scenario where they leave even for a jackpot or they are too old.

McCuin was on it until yesterday. That assistant hire calls her judgment into serious question.

If its not one of those 6 I'm not sure what the point was.

 

[DaddyChad]

Heupel has had one good season. He'll need to have lots more than that to be considered an exceptional hire. And no matter who the next coach is, it will be 3 years before we see whether progress is being made.

Dumb on the one good season. Don’t disagree with your second point though. Heupel’s first season was pretty dang good considering what he inherited; also should have been two more wins if not for the refs taking the ole Miss and Purdue games

 

[creekdipper]

Hey, if Norman Dale got a second chance....

Besides, we got a lot of people saying they don't care who coaches here as long as they win.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Some of you must have really weird expectations...

Jeff Walz at 77.5% isn't good enough even with 4 final four appearances?
Brenda Frese at 77% isn't good enough even with 3 final four appearances and a Natty in this century? She's also 42-17 in the tournament but that's not good...

We're replacing a career 60.2% coach that only eclipsed 60% while here with the Lady Vols brand and support helping her land great talent.

We're not looking for the next Pat Summit because there will never be another, we're looking for better than Holly Warlick & Kellie Harper.

 

[DaddyChad]

Gottlieb would be my top choice.

I think it comes down to a lot of solid candidates as far as fundamental coaching, probably what sets those candidates apart is whether you can see them selling the program as far as recruiting.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Personally my top 2 are Jennie Baranczyk and Becky Hammon