Tennessee coaches enjoyed great success in the 2024-25 school year. But my column singling out first-year Lady Vols basketball coach Kim Caldwell as the best of the bunch didn’t elicit unanimous approval.
I recovered from the initial shock of disapproval and wrote the following:
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Michael writes: Carry Danny White’s water.
Karen Weekly has been to two final fours in three years. And nothing has been done to upgrade SPL stadium.
The stars on the “trainee’s” team were Kellie Harper’s recruits. The trainee got a blank check for NIL. Kellie got a tee shirt shop. Nobody would hire the trainee if she left tomorrow.
My response: Missouri hired Harper. That tells me athletic directors would be standing in line to hire Caldwell after what she accomplished in her first season at Tennessee.
She got the NIL backing that Harper couldn’t. Why? Because NIL investors didn’t believe in Harper. They believe in Caldwell.
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Duke writes: Kim Caldwell as UT’s coach of the year was an an excellent choice, John.
Of course, I’m biased, since I’m also from West Virginia. However, she did an excellent job. And she pulled it off during the season for crying out loud.
My response: If Harper had returned as Tennessee’s coach for the 2024-25 season, Tennessee wouldn’t have made the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.
Terry writes: I agree with your prediction on the 4 SEC coaches that won’t return next year. I saw a random article (AL.com, I believe) that said former Coach P. Fulmer (aka The Incredible Hullco) will not speak to either Lane Kiffin or Paul Finebaum due to comments made by them after Fulmer’s First firing, and Kiffin’s brief stint here.
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The big question that true Vol fans are curious about: Will twice-fired former Coach PF speak to John Adams of the KNS sports staff?
My response: He apparently lost my number in 2008 and hasn’t sought to retrieve it. I would welcome the chance to discuss his thought process that led to the hiring of football coach Jeremy Pruitt.
My guess is Pruitt has since joined Fulmer’s no-speak list.
Colorado Mark writes: Poor Hugh Freeze.
His ego brought him to Auburn. That and a few million bucks, but neither will win him enough games to keep from getting canned. Auburn is now Kentucky 2.0.
Just what the SEC needs, another whipping post for Bama, Gawga, LSU, Florida, Texas − should I go on? Well, maybe not Florida, who knows what they will end up like. They could be another whipping post as well if crewcut Billy does not get it together soon.
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My response: I was surprised that Freeze didn’t win more in his first two seasons at Auburn. But if Oklahoma transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold comes through, the Tigers might surprise you this season.
Even if they continue to muddle along, astute followers of Auburn football still would favor Freeze over his predecessor, Bryan Harsin. CBS Sports ranks the hiring of Harsin as one of the worst of the century.
I didn’t check the entire list. But I assume Pruitt was at the top.
Glenn writes: With money now the main driver in college sports, athletes can still get an education – if they want one. To an old conservative like me who is uncomfortable with change, I feel the spirit of the college game has been diminished by big money going to teenagers.
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Many may prioritize money over education. If these young talented folks don’t get a good education, they may not be able to manage their financial gains, and all will be lost in the future. And then where will they be?
My response: I would recommend that they learn a trade as a backup plan. Plumbers and electricians are always in demand.
Tom writes: As an Arizona Cardinals fan, I noticed that you missed one of the biggest names of QBs who transferred in college and had success elsewhere.
Kyler Murray transferred from Texas A&M to Oklahoma, where he took the Sooners to the national championship game and won the Heisman Trophy. He was then drafted number one overall out of college and is in his seventh year as starting QB for the Cardinals.
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My response: I probably left out other transfer quarterbacks, too. But I should have mentioned Murray.
Murray completed only 59.5% of his passes and threw more interceptions (seven) than touchdown passes (five) at Texas A&M in 2015.
ADAMS: Tony Vitello, Tennessee baseball developing MLB players better than anyone else
Three years later at Oklahoma, he was spectacular in his Heisman season. He passed for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.
He also rushed for 1,001 yards and another 12 touchdowns while averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
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.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Not all readers share my appreciation of Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell
