So, how will J.J. Clark relate to the men’s track and field team, now that he takes over a combined program at the University of Tennessee?
“One, by being a guy,’’ Clark said Monday with a smile. “That’s very important.’’
Clark, who has led the Lady Vols to two indoor national championships, was introduced as director of track and field as UT decided on a precedent-setting course in the wake of the retirement of men’s head coach Bill Webb.
Clark will oversee both the men’s and women’s teams as Tennessee became the ninth SEC school to combine both squads under one coaching staff.
“The philosophical decision to combine the programs was challenging,’’ UT men’s athletic director Mike Hamilton said, “but we believe it is in the best interests of our track and field program moving forward.’’
UT’s first venture in combining a sport won’t meet with universal approval. A number of men’s track alumni are upset that men’s longtime assistant coach George Watts was passed over.
Watts, who hoped to succeed Webb as men’s coach, was on vacation Monday, Clark said.
Hamilton said he hoped Watts would stay in a “significant role” with the program. Watts and Clark both are experts in middle and longer distances and Watts has coached UT’s men in cross country.
“George is a great guy with a lot of skills and expertise in the area,’’ Clark said.
“It may be as simple as he oversees the men and I keep the women (distance runners). Everything has to be evaluated. It hasn’t even been 24 hours yet.’’
Clark took over the Lady Vols in 2002 when the program was at low ebb. He has led them to national indoor titles in 2005 and 2009 and SEC indoor titles in 2005, 2007 and 2009. Clark’s teams also won SEC cross-country titles in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
He has coached women at both the collegiate and elite level throughout his career.
His only coaching experience with men is developing a couple of elite athletes, most notably three-time Olympian Mark Everett.
Clark, however, points out prior to becoming a coach he was an elite male runner at Villanova.
“I believe we can balance it out,’’ he said. “I understand the women and I’m a guy.’’
Chris Fuller, UT’s head of sales and marketing, played a pivotal role assisting Hamilton in the process.
Fuller said combining the programs will have some monetary savings in terms of travel and administration, but that competitiveness was the driving force.
“From an instruction standpoint, that sixth coach gives you more effective preparation,’’ Fuller said.
Clark has two hires to make for full-time assistant coaches.
Besides himself, the staff at present includes Watts, John Frazier, throws coach from the women’s team, and Norbert Elliott, who coached sprints, hurdles and jumps for the men.
Pauline Davis-Thompson, who coached the women’s sprints and hurdles, resigned Friday.
One possible addition who has been mentioned is Tom Pappas, the ex-Vol decathlete who is coaching at Kansas State.
UT also will continue to use several unpaid volunteer coaches.
Fuller and Clark both cited Texas A&M as a successful model for a combined program. The Aggies swept the men’s and women’s outdoor titles earlier this month.
Clark said the men and women would travel to the same meets the majority of the time.
“I think we’ll be singing ‘Rocky Top’ together and celebrating together as we do well in the next several years to come,’’ he said.
Clark professes great respect for the men’s tradition at UT. The Vols won outdoor national championships in 1974, 1991 and 2001, plus an indoor title in 2002.
He said the majority of the feedback he has received has been positive but understands there will be dissenters.
He mentioned securing recruits as an immediate priority.
“Most of the team, they’ve known me,’’ he said. “You’re always going to have a few that want to abandon ship.
“But hopefully they’ll want to be part of a great tradition and a winning program.’’
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 26
smitbo7 writes:
So how many student-athletes will transfer from the Men's team? I am not sure how popular a decision this is. I talked to a recent track alum and he was not positive about having JJ running both programs. Time will tell.
oldman writes:
Phil? Do not know of any Phil being considered for the job...George would have been a great selection.
UTXC writes:
No alumni support this decision that I have talked to. Everyone who has been close with the track and field program since JJ has been here knows that this was not the right move. I have a sense the stands will be a lot more empty during the Sea Ray Relays in the coming year
trgclychip writes:
The stands have been pretty empty during the sea ray relays in recent years anyway. If you refer to the huge alumni gathering two years ago, then I see what you are saying. I am a bit skeptical of this move as well, but lets just wait to pass judgement for a week or so. I hate change myself but it seems that is what we have in the Athletic dept now with respect to Track and Field. Maybe JJ has something up his sleeve including a regard for the alumni base. Just dont overreact, that what I am saying. Go Big Orange.
oldman writes:
As one of the 5 spectators that saw the 10,000 m this year (and I generously counted 5) something did have to be done.
Track Championships are built either with middle and long distance running (JJ knows this) or with sprinting. Preferably with both. Having great javelin throwers and pole vaulters is well and good but it does not stock the trophy case. If all the staff works together this may be a great move...if not it maybe another step in the wrong direction.
BhamVol writes:
Seriously. Does this matter? i'm embarassed that I am even reading the article. Only Arkansas gets excited about track.
Go Vols!
BillVol writes:
Bham, how can you call yourself a Vol if you don't care about our storied track and field program? Anyhow, you are wrong about who only gets excited about track.
UTXC, fan support at Tom Black has been fading away for years. It could hardly get any worse. Why do you feel it was the wrong move? Please be specific.
I'm all for this move. It was the obvious choice.
VOLorado writes:
is he bringing Lewis with him?
mogreer_tn#213464 writes:
I'm excited and have always followed track as well as all UT sports.
Wayfarer writes:
Texas A&M just won both titles at the NCAA outdoor meet with one head coach over both programs. The media called the win the Texas A&M two step, perhaps soon it will be a Tennessee Waltz. It is my hope that we see both programs challenge for national titles soon.
There is only two issues that I can see. First, what happens if the teams are scheduled for separate meets? Second, I don't want to see the Lady Vols program get the short end of the stick because JJ is suddenly the men's coach too. If the men fail to improve or if the Lady Vols falter then MH will need to act quickly.
oldman writes:
Absolutely no doubt this could work and that JJ deserves the benefit of the doubt (if not our respect and backing) to give him the time to refresh the talent pool and build the team he wants. This could easily take several years.
UTXC writes:
My number one issue is I feel the most qualified individual was completely slighted by Hamilton. George Watts has been with the University for over 30 years in some capacity. With less than two scholarships to work with, he produced quality cross country teams and All American middle distance runners year after year not to mention he was the glue that held the team together... the man everyone looked to for inspiration before an SEC Championshp. When I was in the program, all I heard was "Tradition Tradition Tradition" and now that "Tradition" has just been tarnished for all the former Vols.
Myself and other Alumni met with Chris Fuller (One of Mike Hamilton's assistants) and were given this whole song and dance about how Watts was a likely contender. We were told that the financial aspect was negligible with combining both programs. After the fact, we are all convinced Hamilton made his decision well before then. He doesn't care about the track and field team. He didn't go to the NCAA championship to watch Watts, look at other coaches, etc... (Which is what we were told he would do). He just wanted the easiest, safest route out (now he can pawn half his work off to the Women's Athletic Department). I would have rather him told everyone right away that JJ was going to get the job than giving us the garbage he did through his puppet, Chris Fuller.
Oldman, you bring up the 10,000m at Sea Rays without mentioning that the race went off at midnight due to the storm delays.
Bham Vol... go somewhere else. Why are you reading an article about track if you don't think it's news?
Wayfarer, I'm not worried about JJ neglecting the women's team. In my 4 years at the University (where I was a decent runner... All-SEC, Region Qualifier, Sea Ray Relays winner), JJ probably said 5 words to me. He has never tried to develop any type of relationship with the men's team and now they are supposed to trust him to coach them??? Even the Pro Athletes he coaches are all females... not a single male.
BillVol... I agree support has been wavering lately. In my honest opinion, people were waiting for a coach like Watts to come along and bring all the Alumni together. With as great as a coach Bill Webb was, he was not the best people person and although I respect Webb a great deal, Watts was the man people came back to see and visit with. Watts is the one who knows every Vol Alumni dating back to the 1960s. Watts is the one who would drive up donations to help us build a new indoor track. In my opinion, a lot of checkbooks have just been closed by this news.
Myself, and many others, are very dissappointed by this and are planning on voicing our displeasure until Mike Hamilton actually pays attention (should be a long shot considering he probably doesn't even know what track is).
oldman writes:
UTXC please do not get me wrong I was and still am a huge George Watts supporter and I am very disappointed by this decision as well. We still do not know what George's position will be ... and I am waiting for a more definitive announcement to truly understand what is happening.
However I am a supporter of UT Track and Field and will continue to be so. The tradition is wonderful and I am sure I enjoyed your contribution to that tradition.
Lets see how this all pans out...George may end up being the Head Cross Country coach for both teams as well as the distance coordinator. JJ will not neglect the distance aspect of the program as Coach Webb did...
oldman writes:
Oh and OK so the race did last to midnight...and I along with maybe one other spectator was actually there :)
BillVol writes:
UTXC, thanks for the info. Did Doug Brown have more schollys to work with for XC? And how does our XC allotment compare to the other SEC schools? Anyhow, I'm proud of the decathlon tradition, but I think we can use schollys more effectively.
Do you think we can be great in distance running again? Do we have the running environment, facilities, trails, etc., to draw the top runners?
movol53 writes:
JJ was named director of Track and Field; does state that he is the HEAD COACH for either team. JJ seems to be very smart; as it did not take him long to build the women's problem back to a respectable level. Perhaps JJ will do the short events and have Watts coach'em up in the middle and long distance events. That seems to be the strengths of these two individuals. Based on the previous comments above. Someone mentioned above that Watts has been with UT for 30+ years; do we know if he plans to stick around for another 5 - 10 years? Just thinking out loud. Comments. All I know is we need to rebuild our program I can remember many years ago UT was at least in the running several times at the NCAAs - - Now not so much.
VolinLexington writes:
Have faith in the VOLS!
trgclychip writes:
trails,facilities,sport psychologists ,nutritionists CRAPOLA. It all started when distance runners started wearing watches and timing every dang step. Go to the last lap, have a few more than needed and then get up and do the running.
UTXC writes:
Doug Brown was an All American Cross Country runner and multiple NCAA Champion in the Steeplechase so, naturally, he put more money into the distance runners. Each coach is different though. When I was on the team, Chris Helwick (a decathlete) scored 28 points at an SEC meet so the multi eventers are very effective as well.
If you look at past results, our Cross Country team became less dominant as soon as Brown left and it wasn't due to coaching. From 1995-2008, there was not a single Footlocker Finalist (the national high school championship for cross country) on the UT team. There were plenty who were brought into visit by Watts and were impressed with Watts' but a lot of time it comes down to money.
For those of you who don't know, men's track isn't like football. It is the only major collegiate sport where there are more positions than scholarships (12.6 for men and over 18 for women). Trying to recruit a high school phenom and only being able to off him free books is a hard sell. These are the challenges Watts constantly dealt with and he still put together a top 3-4 SEC XC team in cross country year in and year out. The SEC is full of Africans and foreigners who come in as 21 year old freshmen and leave 25 year old seniors. That is daunting for a 18 year old straight out of Karns High School.
I'm not sure I have any faith in JJ Clark. I have NO FAITH (or respect) whatsoever in Mike Hamilton after seeing how things happened through this process. After running for him for 4 years, there is not a human being I respect more than George Watts. I have FAITH in WATTS.
BillVol writes:
Wow, all very interesting. Wish you'd posted all of this on one of the UT boards or over at Track & Field News. I might have gotten on board the Watts bandwagon.
MaxPower writes:
UTXC -
You said, "Men's track isn't like football. It is the only major collegiate sport where there are more positions than scholarships (12.6 for men and over 18 for women)."
Actually, the men's swimming and baseball team face the same situations where there aren't enough scholarships to field a team of full scholarship athletes.
I also think, from my experience, that Mike Hamilton wants every sport at Tennessee to be successful and compete for championships.
His decision may have been wrong, but I don't think the reason is a lack of concern.
I respect Coach Watts and hope he remains with the team. I agree that he is an outstanding coach who has given a lot to the University. I think being one his his former runners, you may lack some objectivity about the decision.
Wayfarer writes:
Thanks for inside view of the UT Track and field program. I can only imagine how difficult this process has been for the alumni of the men's program. I would feel the same if the my college ignored the men, like myself, who competed for them in the past. I hope that Coach Watts sticks around and that there can a workable relationship between JJ, he and the alumni in the future.
I have to laugh because Doug Brown, student taught at Fulton High School when I was student. He had a foul mouth, and I will never forget the chat "Nuts and Bolts, we got screwed" he lead in response to what he considered by calls at his first basketball game. It didn't take long for all of us in the stands to pick it up and then to get lectured on the value of sportsmanship the next day in assembly. Despite the lecture we continued the chat that whole season.
DeerPark12 writes:
UTXC-
I really don't see how you can say you have no confidence in JJ Clark. He re-built the women's program from absolute shambles and had it a National Champion in three years. How can you completely discount two national championships and six SEC championships?
This was a decision for the long term. It's also a decision made with the current landscape of college track in mind. Most major programs are going to a combined program, and the ones that aren't are falling behind. Florida and LSU have combined programs, and you can't argue with their success.
I understand the frustration of your former coach not getting a promotion. But combining the programs was what made the most sense in the current state of NCAA track and field, and it makes zero sense to promote an assistant over a coach that has the proven success that JJ Clark has had.
vols1#232727 writes:
As an ardent, and old, an"Ancient", I have following UT T&F for more than 50 years, and think I have contributed to its traditions. I am very disappointed in this decision.
I think George Watts would have been an excellent choice.
While I don't think this decesion will determine the future of Mike Hamilton I think it demonstrates his lack of appreciation of dedication. committment, knowledge, and experience.
It begs the question, does UT need a Director of mens athletics and a director of womens athletics? Should there be a director of basketball, if so would you by-pass Pat Summit? Many other questions could be asked.
DeerPark12 writes:
No, because men's and women's basketball are fundamentally different sports. So are men's and women's tennis. But track is unique in that the coaching techniques for most events are very similiar between men and women. Even at the highest level of Olympic athlete, men and women train together.
For those of you that continue to express your dissapointment, what made Coach Watts more qualified to lead the program? Being at UT for X number of years?
The men's track program has been going down for several years, and promoting from within wouldn't have addressed the problem. It would have been like promoting Chavis when Fulmer was fired. The program was badly in need of a full culture change, and that's exactly what it got.
Alot of schools have also combined men's and women's swimming. Watch for that the next time there is an opening at the top of either program here.
UTXC writes:
The program has been going down for years??
We won SECs 2 years ago. We were 4th at Nationals 2 years ago. Since the turn of the century the men's team has won the same number of NCAA titles as the women.
Mike Hamilton probably googled NCAA Track and Field, saw that Texas A&M won both titles this year, made his decision, and now doesn't have to think about track and field for the next decade.
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