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

[Lucy]

Don't know if those historical grudges are still in play or not in the new world AD. But if anyone wanted proof that the "blue hair LV mafia" is dead and gone it would be the hiring of either Frese or Walz. Only hiring Geno could be a bigger middle finger to that contingent.

I know you don’t mean it this way but why is it always okay to hate on the older women who were such stalwart supporters of this program. These are women of my mother’s generation and very few are left. Yet on here it is okay to blame them for any miscue. Would it be okay to pick on any other gender/age group and use a derogatory name to id them? Wish we could just appreciate their support when WBB was in its infancy and leave the few remaining in peace.

 

[xtpsrh08123]

I agree with Hammond and Gottlieb being A level hires. Just afraid they’ll say no and likely have. Agree with you on Wes. We missed our chance there.

I can understand the Pat dynamic. I think appeasing that crowd lead us to mediocre hires already. I think Danny will listen but ultimately make a call needed. Ex would hiring a man anger the same group?

To me, Brenda is a better coaching candidate than Cori and Kevin. Teri and Jennie would be solid hires too.

CAN THEY RECRUIT against Dawn , Kim , Kenny & Geno ? Stop thinking of their past history when it comes to players they get they coach in a geographical gold mind. LA and Las Vegas this is Knoxville we have to sell it it now because our prestige means nothing to these gen Z's . Great coaches yes but we need a RECRUITER please stay focused guys .

 

[brittannica]

You could probably build some sort of simulation or prediction model that incorporates conference strength, team strength, recruiting, etc. to predict how coaches would perform with Lady Vols in the SEC. It becomes hard to parse previous results with ebbs in recruiting, injuries, investment, etc. unless the trends are very clear and obvious.

 

[dazzleme]

Considering it's your "requirement" to win 30 games in year 1 what are the consequences if (err, when) it doesn't happen? Will you picket for the coach and AD to be fired? Will you just stop being a Tennessee fan? Inquiring minds want to know.

Spoiler

We hope it's the latter.

I should've been clearer in my original post. A 28-7 record by a veteran coach who has been with her club for 22 years is not what we need. But, yes, I do think with the right hire, especially if it's someone like Hammon, who brings the excitement and energy and press could get some A+ players in the portal and it can be done and at the very least we should get very close in year one.

 

[BbwVol]

28-7 is not where we need to be.

SC: 36-0
LSU: 31-6
UConn: 33-5
Iowa: 33-4

If this is what you want in year 1. Go ahead and start crying on these boards. There is little to no chance that happens. The real question is. Do we young with a high-risk high reward or do we older with lower risk but little to no chance of hitting a true home run.

 

[brittannica]

CAN THEY RECRUIT against Dawn , Kim , Kenny & Geno ? Stop thinking of their past history when it comes to players they get they coach in a geographical gold mind. LA and Las Vegas this is Knoxville we have to sell it it now because our prestige means nothing to these gen Z's . Great coaches yes but we need a RECRUITER please stay focused guys .

Is vegas a geographical gold mine? it’s in the middle of the desert with outrageous home prices and they play in a casino. At least LA has mountains and beaches.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Wes Moore is doing a good job..



Ok, I will duck and cover now....

 

[xtpsrh08123]

Is vegas a geographical gold mine? it’s in the middle of the desert with outrageous home prices and they play in a casino. At least LA has mountains and beaches.

When it comes to professional players hell yes they have money honey not college players lol come on now what college has becky coached ? If your going to speak on something at least know their history and where they currently coach.

 

[dazzleme]

If this is what you want in year 1. Go ahead and start crying on these boards. There is little to no chance that happens. The real question is. Do we young with a high-risk high reward or do we older with lower risk but little to no chance of hitting a true home run.

I disagree with the options you propose. I think we can lure someone great out of retirement who is older and more proven who could bring the goods. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it...GAIL GOESTENKORS!!!
Ok, y'all, ready, aim, fire! Especially TrueVol, I think it is, who is especially triggered by Gail.

 

[glv98]

I know you don’t mean it this way but why is it always okay to hate on the older women who were such stalwart supporters of this program. These are women of my mother’s generation and very few are left. Yet on here it is okay to blame them for any miscue. Would it be okay to pick on any other gender/age group and use a derogatory name to id them? Wish we could just appreciate their support when WBB was in its infancy and leave the few remaining in peace.

Sorry to offend. Just using LV shorthand. And when I say blue hair mafia, which I won't again, I mean men and women. There are very few of them left and they have no apparent influence any more. But they do deserve appreciation.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Intentional or not I don't get the condescension.

And me pointing out a former WNBA coach isn't on the same ground as the other WNBA coach had zero to do with either at the college level. They both coached in the WNBA and that's where the similarities end.

Well, they do draft them, or at least participate in drafting them.

 

[Lucy]

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?

Looking beyond w/l her program always has a lot of drama going on. She has walked close if not over the line in recruiting. Honestly just not a class program in my opinion. Not sure she is a good fit culturally for UT.
As an example of a good culture fit I would say Niele Ivey. Always acts appropriately, well respected across WBB, runs a tight ship, players don’t act out taunting etc.

 

[Lucy]

Sorry to offend. Just using LV shorthand. And when I say blue hair mafia, which I won't again, I mean men and women. There are very few of them left and they have no apparent influence any more. But they do deserve appreciation.

I know you didn’t mean anything by it! I feel I know you better than that! We have all just gotten into the habit of using that phrase.
Also, I was not offended at all please don’t do sorry! I do miss the greatest generation group though. Boy, what they lived through and what they did!

 

[House|RockyTop]

The next women’s basketball coach to win a national championship at Tennessee will elevate themselves amongst the best of all time in the record books of WBB. I don’t think many people are actually looking at this from a business perspective. You can set your family up for life by having just one great season at Tennessee. Some coaches at other programs are in a position where if or when they win they might benefit personally and professionally for a short span.. at Tennessee if you get to a Final Four or National Championship in a year or two your career is cemented and the accolades will come pouring in as they become one of the faces in WBB. Look at the bigger picture.

 

[Ratvol]

Looking beyond w/l her program always has a lot of drama going on. She has walked close if not over the line in recruiting. Honestly just not a class program in my opinion. Not sure she is a good fit culturally for UT.
As an example of a good culture fit I would say Niele Ivey. Always acts appropriately, well respected across WBB, runs a tight ship, players don’t act out taunting etc.

I could get behind this hire. Good discipline, .736 winning percentage. I think a person's character is what filters into DWs hire decision.

 

[brittannica]

When it comes to professional players hell yes they have money honey not college players lol come on now what college has becky coached ? If your going to speak on something at least know their history and where they currently coach.

I’m talking about literal geography which was the adjective you used. The literal geography of Las Vegas is kinda crummy. I was not talking about basketball in any sense other than the facility, which is located in a casino.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

The next women’s basketball coach to win a national championship at Tennessee will elevate themselves amongst the best of all time in the record books of WBB. I don’t think many people are actually looking at this from a business perspective. You can set your family up for life by having just one great season at Tennessee. Some coaches at other programs are in a position where if or when they win they might benefit personally and professionally for a short span.. at Tennessee if you get to a Final Four or National Championship in a year or two your career is cemented and the accolades will come pouring in as they become one of the faces in WBB. Look at the bigger picture.

That’s why they never fired Fulmer. Wait…

 

[creekdipper]

Not the norm and she couldn’t reproduce

No need to be sexist about it.

 

[backdoorcutvol]

One request for new coach. Keep the Summit Blue Uniforms, those are really sharp. Not to replace UT Orange just as an alternate.

 

[Memvol44]

@Stoerner Fumbles, you trying to hint at something with this defense

A million dollar raise might sway her..

 

[House|RockyTop]

That’s why they never fired Fulmer. Wait…

Wait what? Tennessee women’s basketball program has 8 national championships. I know the legendary Coach Summit coached 8 national championship teams.
How many women’s national championship teams did Fulmer coach?

 

[dazzleme]

UT got it right when it hired Barnes--an experienced winner who came from a big program. The only candidates I can think
of who would qualify as "home-run" hires of the same quality would be Frese, Hammon, Schaefer, Moore and Walz. Who else? I'm not counting
Staley because there's no way she's moving and I'm not a fan of her--too many rough edges with her street personality--but if others
want to include her, whatevs.

After that there is a group of talented, somewhat younger coaches who are on the come, are at major programs, but have accomplished less. Strong potential, to be sure, but a bit more roll of the dice.

hahahha I keep saying this...Gail Goestenkors. Get her out of semi-retirement.

 

[SoilVol]

I should've been clearer in my original post. A 28-7 record by a veteran coach who has been with her club for 22 years is not what we need. But, yes, I do think with the right hire, especially if it's someone like Hammon, who brings the excitement and energy and press could get some A+ players in the portal and it can be done and at the very least we should get very close in year one.

You say that as if it's her peak in those 22 years. You're just using recency bias to justify your disdain for Frese. You know Geno won fewer than 30 games a few years ago too right? And Pat had a few <30 win seasons at the end of her career. Dawn Staley went to the Final Four on a 26 win season just 3 years ago. Name me an actual candidate at the college ranks always winning more than 30 games a year that can then come to Knoxville, transform the program, and never drop below 30 again.

 

[creekdipper]

If you are a straight, white, man, then yeah, no issues politically. Come on down.

What about sort of patchy, freckled mocha?

 

[dazzleme]

You say that as if it's her peak in those 22 years. You're just using recency bias to justify your disdain for Frese. You know Geno won fewer than 30 games a few years ago too right? And Pat had a few <30 win seasons at the end of her career. Dawn Staley went to the Final Four on a 26 win season just 3 years ago. Name me an actual candidate at the college ranks always winning more than 30 games a year that can then come to Knoxville, transform the program, and never drop below 30 again.

Calm down. Not sure what you are so hostile about.