madtownvol
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I don't think this question addresses the issue. It is a complicated one that does not readily fit into a yeah or nay box.
To clarify, here is one rationale for those would would prefer to see a woman coach in this role (including myself), [note a preference for a woman coach does not mean animosity toward a man candidate like Walz].
As it stands, a male coach can legitimately compete for a job in the men's and women's NCAA divisions and the NBA and WNBA. Women can only compete in women's sphere. Yes, Becky Hammond is now an ASSISTANT in the NBA but she is also a trailblazer.
If we were in a world where say Tara Vandaveer or Muffet McGraw would considered as legitimate candidates for a top tier job in a men's program or the NBA, then the gender question with respect to the LVs (pending) opening would be moot because we would have even playing field for men and women candidates.
But the current world is one where men have all options open and women have many doors closed. The LVs program is symbolic, via CPS and her mentorship, a beacon for women coaching and being in positions in leadership.
Closing that door would be a big deal in a historic perspective.
The idea that the LVs should just hire the "best" candidate misses the point because so many diverse dimensions go into being a successful head coach. No one gets hired just on their record but also on his/her knowledge, attitude, poise, confidence, people skills, energy, enthusiasm and myriad other factors such as how one relates to alumni and the Vol culture (think of Kevin O'Neil and his ill-fated tenure as the Vol's mens coach).
When you compare the profiles of Tina Langley versus Jeff Walz, someone could conclude that, on the whole, that Langley has a bigger upside and might be a fit better with the program. Maybe they seem equivalent on the coaching skills dimension but Langley is a better people person (or has fewer ethical clouds hanging over her head) [Just being hypothetical here]
I realize that this issue is a delicate one and I appreciate the appeal of the "gender does not matter" but in the bigger scheme, I think CPS would have loved for her program to be a launch pad for a talented up coming woman coach to prove her worth.
Having said that all, Walz would bring considerable cachet to the program; he put U of Louisville on the map and has an impressive record.
But as with Gail G. and her transition from Duke to Texas, success at one program does not necessarily translate to another and hence, even here, the "best" candidate may not be a blatantly obvious, depending on who else is the consideration (and we still don' t know the validity of all the current rumors).
To clarify, here is one rationale for those would would prefer to see a woman coach in this role (including myself), [note a preference for a woman coach does not mean animosity toward a man candidate like Walz].
As it stands, a male coach can legitimately compete for a job in the men's and women's NCAA divisions and the NBA and WNBA. Women can only compete in women's sphere. Yes, Becky Hammond is now an ASSISTANT in the NBA but she is also a trailblazer.
If we were in a world where say Tara Vandaveer or Muffet McGraw would considered as legitimate candidates for a top tier job in a men's program or the NBA, then the gender question with respect to the LVs (pending) opening would be moot because we would have even playing field for men and women candidates.
But the current world is one where men have all options open and women have many doors closed. The LVs program is symbolic, via CPS and her mentorship, a beacon for women coaching and being in positions in leadership.
Closing that door would be a big deal in a historic perspective.
The idea that the LVs should just hire the "best" candidate misses the point because so many diverse dimensions go into being a successful head coach. No one gets hired just on their record but also on his/her knowledge, attitude, poise, confidence, people skills, energy, enthusiasm and myriad other factors such as how one relates to alumni and the Vol culture (think of Kevin O'Neil and his ill-fated tenure as the Vol's mens coach).
When you compare the profiles of Tina Langley versus Jeff Walz, someone could conclude that, on the whole, that Langley has a bigger upside and might be a fit better with the program. Maybe they seem equivalent on the coaching skills dimension but Langley is a better people person (or has fewer ethical clouds hanging over her head) [Just being hypothetical here]
I realize that this issue is a delicate one and I appreciate the appeal of the "gender does not matter" but in the bigger scheme, I think CPS would have loved for her program to be a launch pad for a talented up coming woman coach to prove her worth.
Having said that all, Walz would bring considerable cachet to the program; he put U of Louisville on the map and has an impressive record.
But as with Gail G. and her transition from Duke to Texas, success at one program does not necessarily translate to another and hence, even here, the "best" candidate may not be a blatantly obvious, depending on who else is the consideration (and we still don' t know the validity of all the current rumors).
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