The interest in Lady Vols basketball hasn’t waned as much as I thought. At least, that’s what my inbox keeps telling me.
South Carolina Mike writes: I hate to say anything bad about My Beloved Vols, but former AD Phillip Fulmer made 2 terrible hires. Jeremy Pruitt was a cheat. He learned this from 2 of the best, HC Nick Saban and at FSU HC Jimbo Fisher.
Kellie Harper is “all show”. She has all the HC coach-speak down pat. But she can’t recruit. Bless her heart, she is in way “over her head.” UT should never have hired her.
My response: Fulmer gets all the blame for hiring Pruitt. But he relied heavily on the advice of female administrators in the athletic department for the hiring of a women’s basketball coach. They didn’t let him down as much as Pruitt did.
Steve writes: I have said this for at least the last three seasons: turnovers should have consequences. Removal to the bench after multiple turnovers will send a message, but Coach Harper has refused to employ this strategy – to her and the team’s detriment. She should observe Coach Barnes’ actions when players do not value the basketball.
They go to the bench.
My response: Things could be looking up for the Lady Vols now that Rickea Jackson is healthy enough to play. They struggled terribly without her.
Roger writes: As an alum of NC State, we had high hopes that Kellie Harper would be able to turn our program around and be a lasting figure in our area, but it never happened. Her overall record of 70-64 and ACC record of 23-39, fell flat really quick and she was gone before you could say GO PACK.
She was a class act as a person, but I always had the impression that she was in over her head at this level.
Not following SEC Women’s basketball as much as the ACC, I was somewhat surprised of your article. I was under the impression she was doing pretty good. Third in the conference, and NCAA appearances (except for the Covid season) every season?
My response: She is doing “pretty good,” according to athletic director Danny White. He gave her a contract extension before this season.
Holly Warlick, Harper’s predecessor, won 72% of her games in seven seasons and was fired. Harper’s winning percentage is a few points lower in four-plus seasons.
Warlick took the Lady Vols to the Elite Eight three times. Tennessee hasn’t advanced beyond the Sweet 16 under Harper.
Michael writes: It’s past time to turn the Lady Vol program over to an accomplished coach looking for national championships continually. Danny White has done a magnificent job so far; let him know how bad or how much the fan base wants the program to contend for a championship.
My response: I’m not sure White realizes how important Lady Vols basketball is to some fans.
It might not matter as much as it did when Pat Summitt won eight national titles, but some fans still expect more than what Harper is delivering.
John writes: Just like the Dr. Pepper commercial, the transfer portal is in trouble. It keeps sucking up players and sending them to supposedly a happier home.
The commitment to a school or coach means nothing to many of these players.
I for one would enjoy hearing WHY they are leaving a program that they have contributed to its success. Tyler Baron and Tamarion MacDonald to Ole Miss? Are they telling us they weren’t successful enough at UT? Did the coaching staff not support them enough? Oh, I forgot the privacy policy.
My response: I agree it would be helpful to know why players are going elsewhere. It also would be helpful to know if they will be missed by the coaching staff.
Jerry writes: I wish that I could share your optimism about next football season. If UT returns essentially the same players from last season, then I see another 8–4 season. Other than James Pearce, UT did not have another player on either the first or second All-SEC team.
Finally, expecting Iamaleava to be significantly better than Joe Milton is a stretch, especially since he has not been battle tested. Even the great Peyton Manning struggled during most of his first year.
UT a playoff team in 2024? I think not.
My response: Although Nico Iamaleava played sparingly, you can tell his skill set is a great fit for this offense. That’s one reason I believe the offense will be better next season.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
