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Date Posted: Wed March 23, 2005 17:34:37
Author: TNRam
Subject: I disagree. There are hurdles for a new coach to overcome, but they aren't what you think they are nor are they as formidable as you might think (more inside).
In reply to: Rambacker 's message, "Many good coaches are leery of the Tennessee job. They have an arena that holds 20,000 fans and there is much pressure to fill it, Tennessee is arguably the nation's biggest "football school"(not hoops) and they are right in the middle of Kentucky/Mississippi State/Memphis/Auburn recruiting territory. That's tough competition for recruits. It will take a herculean effort to build a major, consistent winner there." on Tue March 22, 2005 16:15:15

Recruiting in all Tennessee sports is subject to the conditions you mention, yet Tennessee has had success in most of them because Tennessee recruits nationally, not regionally. The men's basketball team includes starters from Texas, Nevada, and California, while the top 9 players on the women's basketball team include 2 players from California and one each from Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Florida, New York, Alabama, and Tennessee. During the 17 years I've lived here, Tennessee men's basketball has lost only one recruit to Kentucky, 2 to Auburn, none to Mississippi State, and a couple to Memphis. Usually, if Tennessee men's basketball targets a recruit, it gets him.

Attendence at men's games at Thompson-Boling Arena has been on the decline recently, primarily because of circumstances that wouldn't be obvious unless you'd sat in the stands during games there. If you've ever watched the Vols and Lady Vols play in Knoxville on TV, you'll notice a marked difference in game atmosphere between the men's and women's games. The primary reason is that different ushers and security personnel are used for the men's and women's games. At women's games, signs and banners are encouraged, and nobody interferes when fans stand up and cheer. At the men's games, however, banners are often confiscated and ushers commonly tell people who get out of their seats to cheer to sit down or leave. Not exactly a fan-friendly atmosphere. If you're old enough to remember the difference in the atmosphere at Shea and Yankee stadiums in the early days of the Mets, you'll understand. But the UT Athletic Department can and should be able to remedy the situation - the responsible personnel at the men's games need better training and instructions to change their ways.

Perhaps the biggest problem with Tennessee mens basketball during the last decade has been player development. I cannot recall a single player since the days of Kevin O'Neill whose play improved significantly from the time he arrived at UT to the time he left. That is something that is correctable with the right coaching, and it helps explain the UT AD's apparent fascination with Bob Knight.

The final hurdle is that Tennessee sports fans have been spoiled by success in other sports including a football national championship, six womens NCAA titles, several national championships in track and field, and nationally ranked softball, volleyball, tennis, and swimming teams. Being used to success, they tend to be impatient with anything less.

None of these hurdles to success is insurmountable. The effort needed isn't anything close to "herculean" - with the right coach and some corrective actions by the UT Athletic Department,there's no reason why men's basketball can't enjoy the same degree of success that other Tennessee sports have.

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