Westbrook Gone

[WVU05UT09]

Link ?

Volunteer State: Should Tennessee consider Holly Warlick for Lady Vols job?

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Podcast is bizarro bullsh&t. Did John Adams fall on his head? Oh poor poor Holly and her awesome winning percentage and elite eights! Mean and stupid ole UT fires her prematurely and without a plan! Maybe we should unfire her, since no one else is out there with Holly's "resume".

This from Adams, who I usually defend, the first local media to finally tell the truth in his column weeks ago, call for Holly's firing and detail exactly why, in spite of her record, it was past time for Holly to go. Talked about the steep and damaging decline the last four seasons, the fact Holly long ago lost control of the program. The alarming lack of development and improvement. He identified it all back then. He knows full well her record was packed into the early years when she had Pat's players. Just chose to exclude all context and totally present an untrue alternative reality in this podcast. Crazy.

Seems to be resigned to KJH as inevitable replacement by default. He's very meh on her, mostly b/c she can't be as good a coach as Holly, compare the numbers! Again, stupid and bizarre. I'm not thrilled about KJH but I know for certain she's a better coach than Holly. Also, just to complete the mindfu&k, Adams says he doesn't think Horston will come to Tenn, and that she shouldn't.

He has been hating on UT for decades.

 

[teacherdean]

Here is something to think about, Westbrook is a 2 and she told Holly the only way she would come to Tennessee is if she played the 1. Now, whose fault is it that she played the 1 and was bad at that position?

That decision rest in Holly's lap, she was the coach. You do not allow the tail to control the dog. If you make promises to players just to get them on your team, the possibility of things eventually going wrong is high. Such promises can also destroy a team, look at the mess we have.

 

[volman128]

Here is something to think about, Westbrook is a 2 and she told Holly the only way she would come to Tennessee is if she played the 1. Now, whose fault is it that she played the 1 and was bad at that position?

Westbrook is not a 2. She CAN play the 2 and is more of a combo guard in the same fashion as Alexis Hornbuckle, but she played PG in high school.

Also, she knew she would be playing both positions because Hayes was coming in, as well. I'm not sure where you're getting your info.

 

[Volfan2012]

If we could've got the recruits in here and everybody coming back our roster looks like it could've been on of the top five in college basketball with a new coach. Notre Dame is losing bigtime and will have to take a step back. UConn should be slightly less than they were this year. Miss State is losing a lot of players both seniors and transfers. Baylor will again be loaded and should again be a final four team.

I could've seen a lineup at Tennessee with Horston and Massengill at the point, Westbrook free to roam and score at the two, Davis at the three, the two big centers playing the 40 minutes at the five and a multiple group of Brown, Collins, and KKK at the four. With Burrell and Green probably better as sophomores this team looks ready with the right leadership to be one of the top teams in the nation and the SEC.

SC and Stanford ready to move up and have to wait to see what happens at Oregon Ionescu is eligible to go Pro she has graduated.

 

[Volfan2012]

The Volunteer State

A big load of ******** is all this is. I really didn't take time to listen to the full 19 plus minutes of horse manure they spread here but anyone that wants to here it is.

 

[WVU05UT09]

The Volunteer State

A big load of ******** is all this is. I really didn't take time to listen to the full 19 plus minutes of horse manure they spread here but anyone that wants to here it is.

It is heavy in speculation no doubt and that’s a fair criticism but they are making some educated guesses based on who has been contacted and who has pulled out and analyzing whether firing Warlick was the right move based on a blind resume test.

 

[therickbol]

Here is something to think about, Westbrook is a 2 and she told Holly the only way she would come to Tennessee is if she played the 1. Now, whose fault is it that she played the 1 and was bad at that position?

She is better suited for the 1. No question. Her court vision and passing ability are much better than her perimeter shooting.

 

[mike099]

It is heavy in speculation no doubt and that’s a fair criticism but they are making some educated guesses based on who has been contacted and who has pulled out and analyzing whether firing Warlick was the right move based on a blind resume test.

The thing is most any competent coach would have won at least have the games Tennessee has lost in the past 2 years. So no thanks - new staff, new direction

 

[37620VOL]

Hope she comes back or we're headed for la tech status in a hurry.

 

[Volfan2012]

It is heavy in speculation no doubt and that’s a fair criticism but they are making some educated guesses based on who has been contacted and who has pulled out and analyzing whether firing Warlick was the right move based on a blind resume test.

The main point and I guess they made it at the end is that Warlick was never gonna work so somebody else might. The way the last season went I was willing to try anybody else but here really didn't matter who.

 

[Darth_Vol]

The Volunteer State

A big load of ******** is all this is. I really didn't take time to listen to the full 19 plus minutes of horse manure they spread here but anyone that wants to here it is.

And exactly what did they say that was inaccurate?

 

[ocoandasoc]

I think the point the podcast was trying to make was: Why fire a mediocre coach if you're not committed to hiring a much better one?

And it's a valid point.

Still, I think they concluded that a change had to be made -- and if you can't hire a sure winner, you roll the dice.

 

[teacherdean]

If it's like the recent one, he already made it clear that he was a Walz guy and had reservations about Kellie.

Re: Westbrook...hard to blame her if she decides to leave considering how many "fans" have been advising her, Davis, Horston, and any other top players to leave if an "acceptable" coach isn't hired.

That is just crazy when a fan base is advising their own players and recruits to leave. What makes any of us believe we could choose the right coach? If I were a recruit, or present day player, and read that a number of Lady Vol fans were suggesting that they leave the program, I would say to hell with the Lady Vol fan base. We need to be telling players to stay with our program and to give, whoever is chosen, a chance. We need to quit making such outrageous suggestions.

 

[glv98]

And exactly what did they say that was inaccurate?

That Holly was fired in spite of a very impressive record because Lady Vol fans have insane expectations no coach could ever meet. And that the AD up and fired her with nary a plan in sight to replace her. At the very end, Adams hesitantly and grudgingly said yeah, HW needed to go, but never said why.

Maybe they're just in deep denial, but the last four years actually happened, the part after the good record and the elite eights. Since the players and the program became wholly Holly's four seasons ago, the bottom has fallen out to an alarming degree. Quality of play is embarrassing, player development is dismal, attendance is in freefall. That's why Holly was fired.

John Adams knows all this because he wrote it in a column calling for Holly to be fired for exactly these reasons three weeks ago. So strange he'd go along with a premise for a podcast he knew to be misleading and without context.

Also, we don't know AD did not preplan and is not following a plan. It hasn't been that long and he's working the circuit at the final four right now. There may be a limited pool of big name coaching talent available and/or willing at this time. No amount of planning can help that. Coaching hires are always somewhat dependent on timing and luck.

Many people, including me, did indeed feel that the program was taking on so much damage so fast both on and off the court that yeah, anyone would be better than Holly. Every coach I've heard mentioned so far seems a better coach to me; might not lead us to gloryland but wouldn't make us worse, which HW unfortunately seemed to be uniquely talented at.

That is just crazy when a fan base is advising their own players and recruits to leave. What makes any of us believe we could choose the right coach? If I were a recruit, or present day player, and read that a number of Lady Vol fans were suggesting that they leave the program, I would say to hell with the Lady Vol fan base. We need to be telling players to stay with our program and to give, whoever is chosen, a chance. We need to quit making such outrageous suggestions.

Lets be real, we are not suggesting or advising anything to players or coaches because we have less than zero influence on anyone. We are 12 people popping off to each other on the internet. Most players and families especially if they're smart, would never read this crap and would just laugh at it if they did. I know we had recent word of a players Mom sparring with critical fans on Instagram or something, but that's rare. Celeb parents learn early on to grow thick skin and to ignore internet know it alls. So relax, our outrageous suggestions are harmless babble.

 

[WVU05UT09]

Also, we don't know AD did not preplan and is not following a plan. It hasn't been that long and he's working the circuit at the final four right now. There may be a limited pool of big name coaching talent available and/or willing at this time. No amount of planning can help that. Coaching hires are always somewhat dependent on timing and luck.
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I would say the tweet from John Brice today pretty much backs up the assertion there either was no plan or a piss poor one when he says they have a list of “6-8 names that include among others Amanda Butler, Nikki Fargas.” You don’t fire Holly to get to those two. They shouldn’t have even been on a list.

 

[glv98]

I would say the tweet from John Brice today pretty much backs up the assertion there either was no plan or a piss poor one when he says they have a list of “6-8 names that include among others Amanda Butler, Nikki Fargas.” You don’t fire Holly to get to those two. They shouldn’t have even been on a list.

Sorry, I don't know Brice. Is he more reliable than Hyams, Bassillo, and everyone else that's tweeted different theories? We'll have to agree to disagree, I think HW had to be fired, period. To get anyone. I'll say again, there's not one name I've heard thrown out there (with the possible exception of Tyler Summitt) that would be as destructive as Holly had unfortunately become.

Don't get me wrong, I want the very best hire we can possibly get. Since no star seems to be available I'd love to see a really sharp up and comer like Karl Smesko. I'm not offended by anyone being on the list, I want the net cast as widely as possible.

 

[JohnTN]

Volunteer State: Should Tennessee consider Holly Warlick for Lady Vols job?

Holly's record is deceiving. On paper it looks pretty good, but if you watched the LV play this year it sure appears they need a better coach.

 

[Darth_Vol]

That Holly was fired in spite of a very impressive record because Lady Vol fans have insane expectations no coach could ever meet. And that the AD up and fired her with nary a plan in sight to replace her. At the very end, Adams hesitantly and grudgingly said yeah, HW needed to go, but never said why.

You must have listened to a different podcast than me. The point about Holly's record was to show how underwhelming the records of the candidates being discussed are. And the underwhelming resumes of the candidates being mentioned were discussed to show how Fulmer didn't seem to have much of a plan for replacing Holly with a more accomplished coach...

 

[madtownvol]

You must have listened to a different podcast than me. The point about Holly's record was to show how underwhelming the records of the candidates being discussed are. And the underwhelming resumes of the candidates being mentioned were discussed to show how Fulmer didn't seem to have much of a plan for replacing Holly with a more accomplished coach...

That's a good clarification but I wonder what plan Adams expected Fulmer to have: kidnap KIm Mulkey; blackmail Muffett McGraw?; hypnotize Jeff Walz?

I am sure PF hoped the job opening would draw more interest and maybe it has; we can't know for sure until after the NCAA tourney is completed.

 

[Bakers1]

Holly's record is deceiving. On paper it looks pretty good, but if you watched the LV play this year it sure appears they need a better coach.

She also started to play way ore cupcakes. Take a look. She was getting a bonus based on wins hence the weaker schedule. Look at this years schedule alone. Then look who we beatand who we lost to..

 

[sport3500]

Good luck to Evina Westbrook in her future endeavors and thanks for her time as a Lady Volunteer.

 

[creekdipper]

Adams is stepping up his anti-Kellie campaign, and he doesn't care how foolish or inconsistent it makes him look.

Now he's suggesting that theres's no reason Horston should come to Tennessee because she doesn't have any prior relationship with Kellie (while he enthusiastically embraces Kara in the same breath). He's bothered by Kellie's "known" record at NC State but not by Kara's unknown (due to being nonexistent) coaching record.

With fans like that, who needs enemies?

 

[GBOTango]

Westbrook has a lot of talent. I’d like to see how she compares in turnovers vs the LV point guards of the past.

 

[JFP]

Warlick, if she read posts here, was told over and over that based on her style of coaching she must have a post presence extremely tall and extremely talented.
Inadequate post presence is where Warlick failed more than anywhere else. Westbrook, a sophomore, played extremely well considering this. If she leaves it will hurt the team more than any of the leavers in the past. If next years team has no leavers other than her she would do well to stay and should stay. She is an extremely good player. Looking at the big picture and her options she can do no better anywhere else and can't expect to do any better anywhere else.