Literary contributors call for the firing of three different Tennessee coaches, Another reader wants NFL commissioner Roger Goodell fired.
Congrats to my literary contributors on a record-setting performance. Within a week, they have recommended the firing of three different Tennessee coaches – Kim Caldwell, Josh Heupel and Rick Barnes.
New UT baseball coach Josh Elander could be next. But first, he needs to make his head-coaching debut. That’s scheduled for Feb. 13 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
In related news: Another literary contributor wants to fire NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Why? Because he’s not American enough.
I’ll get to all the proposed firings. So, keep reading.
David writes: The Lady Vols’ loss at South Carolina was expected. Their play has moved from disappointing to annoying.
Never have I seen a group so athletically talented play so poorly over their last four games. Excessive turnovers, horrible shot selection, selfish play. Unwilling or unable to play as a team. The result was an embarrassment to Lady Vol fans and the program’s tradition.
Blame falls largely on the players. For the reasons above, the current group has become unlikeable. Body language suggests they don’t like each other. Leadership within the team appears nonexistent. I doubt they respect their coach.
Coach must be careful in selecting future recruits. Talent is important but so is coach-ability.
My response: Caldwell often has mentioned the importance of effort in her up-tempo offense and pressure defense. Ironically, her second team has been shorter on effort than talent.
Mike writes: I would not be surprised to see some of the key Lady Vols players transfer elsewhere at the end of this season. It is painfully obvious that they are not getting the coaching they need at UT.
Up until a week ago, I still felt that Danny White made a good choice in hiring Caldwell. Two embarrassing blowout losses later, I now have serious doubts.
My response: It’s way too early to give up on Caldwell. She won 24 games in her first season last year and will make the NCAA Tournament again this year. She also has upgraded Tennessee’s recruiting.
I would be surprised if the Lady Vols suffered significant losses in the transfer portal. Few programs in women’s basketball can match their NIL payroll.
Scott writes: Every other basketball coach in the world - men’s or women’s at any level - plays their best players the majority of minutes, and then sends in the next two to four players to give the starters a breather or when needed due to foul trouble.
But Coach Caldwell continues to use her hockey style substitution pattern and play her 8th to 10th worst players almost as many minutes as her best three players. Consequently, we see out of control play, stupid fouls, horrible turnovers, disjointed offense, missed layups, missed free throws, etc.
Maybe, every other basketball coach in the world is on to something.
My response: Caldwell has adjusted her substitution pattern this season. And more adjustments are needed.
Another Scott writes: Tennessee women’s basketball seems a lot like the football team this year. It’s able to beat up on mediocre teams but loses to good ones.
My response: There are similarities. Coach Josh Heupel’s football team lost to every nationally ranked team on its schedule. The Lady Vols are 0-4 against teams currently ranked in the top 10 – and they didn’t come closer than 22 points in any of those defeats.
Michael writes: Even a No. 5 recruiting class can’t save an unqualified coach. But she’s got a system. I don’t think she’s even using it anymore, but that’s all right cause Danny White is a genius.
My response: I would highly recommend fewer subs and 3-point shots – and, of course, more effort.
Roger writes: The only way to fix the Tennessee defense is to fire the head coach, Josh Heupel. The hurry-up offense is what is killing the defense.
My response: The Vols don’t hurry as much offensively as they once did under Heupel. Their tackling tempo also has slowed.
Chris writes: Another game and the same message. Fire Barnes regardless.
Rick Barnes is the opposing team’s best player. How in the world was the Kentucky game even close, much less a loss for Tennessee? Barnes is terrible.
My response: Just a guess, but I don’t think Barnes is on the verge of being fired. In fact, there’s probably a greater chance of my being fired in the next 10 days (my yearly evaluation is approaching) than his being fired in the next 10 years.
Last August, White announced the signing of Barnes to a “lifetime contract.” Barnes is 71 years old and seemingly in good health.
So, he might coach another 10 years, which means he could end his career with more than 1,000 victories – and you call for his firing at least 10 more times.
Dan writes: The Super Bowl halftime show: Are you kidding me? Terrible.
They should fire Mr. Goodell.
Football is still an American sport, right?
My response: Although I’m not an aficionado of Latin Trap music, I’m too pro-Puerto Rico to take shots at Bad Bunny’s halftime performance. One of my best friends is Puerto Rican and my favorite athlete of all-time is Roberto Clemente, a Puerto Rican native.
You’re right. Football is an American sport. But the NFL is going global.
It’s just a matter of time before the Super Bowl is played in another country: Germany, England, France, Brazil, or who knows where.
The NFL would stage a Super Bowl in China for the right price.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Readers pile on Kim Caldwell, Lady Vols after another blowout
Category: General Sports
