Sports dynasties are nothing new to Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart.
He was a college basketball player at Alabama when Bear Bryant was making a legend of himself in football. Then, as an athletic director at Florida State, Hart had Bobby Bowden for his football coach.
Bowden's Seminoles finished in the top five of the Associated Press poll for 14 consecutive seasons. They also won a couple of national titles and perhaps would have won several others if not for all those slightly wayward field-goal tries.
In the midst of that all that success, Hart tried to impress fans with how unusual it was. "You're living a dynasty," he would tell them.
UT women's basketball fans know all about that. Their program won eight national championships, played in 18 NCAA Final Fours, won 16 SEC regular-season championships, and won 16 SEC tournaments in 38 seasons under coach Pat Summitt, who stepped down last week as head coach and accepted a position as head coach emeritus.
Hart said that when he looked at all of her accomplishments, it was as though "somebody was making this up." He was speaking from experience.
Hart grew up around athletics. His father, Dave Sr., was a high school and college football coach before he became better known as a college administrator — first as an athletic director at Louisville and later in the same position at the University of Missouri.
The younger Hart's college days at Alabama and his job as athletic director at Florida State enabled him to experience sports dynasties firsthand. His lifetime in organized sports enabled him to realize dynasties are rare and finite.
Fans living through their program's glory days aren't always as realistic. So Hart can appreciate the challenge that Summitt's successor, Holly Warlick, faces.
In fact, the Lady Vols' dynasty ended before Summitt was forced to quit coaching because of early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type. UT hadn't been to a Final Four since it won its last national title in 2008. It has become a top-10 program, not a Final Four program.
That's not just an indicator of UT's decline. It's a testament to the better competition. More universities are taking women's basketball seriously, and recruits have figured out that you don't have to go to UT or Connecticut to win a national championship.
The last two national championships have been won by Baylor and Texas A&M. Maryland won a national title in 2006.
Women's basketball still has nowhere near the parity that the men's game does. But the parity is such that a once-elite program can't drop its name at the door and proceed directly to the Final Four.
UT painfully realized that three years ago when Ball State beat it by 16 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament. A year later, Baylor beat the Lady Vols by 15 in the Sweet 16.
The next regular season could be as jolting as an early-tournament exit. UT has lost five seniors, including two who were among the top-four picks in the recent WNBA draft. Moreover, two of its best returning players — Taber Spani (knee) and Cierra Burdick (back) — have health issues.
Whatever happens next season could be overshadowed by what happens with the 2013 recruiting class. If the Lady Vols can land a top class, that would be a huge achievement in a transitional year. It also would be a strong indicator that the program can eventually return to the Final Four and compete for championships.
But the Lady Vols aren't living a dynasty anymore.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/johnadamskns.
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
Cordarrelle Patterson drafted by the…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 83
born2ride writes:
We may never match what Pat accomplished but women's basketball at UT will always be an elite program and highly competitive.
AlexAndersonAAradio writes:
It'll be interesting seeing what Holly does. I don't know if she'll be a good head coach or not.If she just gets one national championship I'd probably take that. You can bet one thing for sure. Holly will be there for a while unless the majority of the lady vol fans want her gone, which I don't think will happen. There's no way Hart wants to get in a pissing contest over women's basketball.
proud2btnvol (Inactive) writes:
UT may change some, but John Adams remains the same jerk he always has been. This newspaper is an embarrassment to journalism. Compare it to Nashville or Chaat. One thing for sure, John Adams has never been a part of a dynasty. firejohnadamsnow
ETownVol writes:
Another tasteless article by Adams kicking a program when it's down. What a miserable life you must have.
feathersax writes:
A rarity: I actually agree with Adams here.
SummittsCourt writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Pullingguard writes:
Facts are... This program has declined in last three or four years..The recruiting, although suppose to be very good has not lived up to the hype with the players they have signed, production just not been there. Holly has real challenge for next 2/3 years...Hope she recruits well..
ACWLY writes:
You can ALWAYS count on adams to take every opportunity to trash the Tennessee Volunteers. He's probably been waiting a long time to say "The Lady Vols Dynasty is Finally Over"...
What a GREAT day it will be for Tennessee when Adams DAY IS FINALLY OVER!
PureOrange writes:
We lost Pat and it is very painful. Losing John Adams would bring joy to so many.
Pat Summitt always exemplified class, no matter the situation. John Adams seems to always exemplify the opposite.
AlexAndersonAAradio writes:
This should be Adams article tomorrow:
Tennessee greatest sports team in country.
Tennessee has the greatest football,basketball, and baseball team I have ever seen in my life. Tennessee fans should feel blessed to have the nations best team in all 3 major sports. Gary Hart, the new AD, should be commended for turning things around. On top of this Hart is the nicest man I've ever met besides Cuonzo Martin, Derek Dooley, and Dave Sorrano. Tennessee also has the greatest fans in the world. The are even more crazy about their team than Europeon soccer fans. When I wake up in the morning all I think about is how I'm the sports writer for the greatest program in all of sports, college or pro. I would write articles for free if I had to just because I love the big orange and look forward to this years national championship in football as it will be our 20th year in a row of winning the NC.
Voltillyafall writes:
It's not that Adams wrote what he did...the problem is that he enjoys writing articles like this.
Please leave. I can't remember the last time you actually broke some news, or provided an insight that wasn't already visible to every fan of college sports.
Snapshot writes:
Sometimes the truth hurts, to hear, or in this to
read. If you will actually read the last two paragraphs and comprehend what he is saying, you can see he is being very complimentary of the program and it's future.
wmh92264#529898 writes:
If this newspaper had any class, it would make Adams' employment a thing of the past.
Orange_Power_T writes:
What a pathetic excuse for journalism. I can only hope you are never asked to deliver anyone's eulogy. The glass has always been half empty for you hasn't it?
orangecountyvols writes:
ET and fellow Vols,
Exactly. Adams is the master of under statements. He really does seem to bask in telling everyone that which is obvious, that which we already know.
That's the difference in what he writes and the other journalists. He and Climer are pretty close but the edge goes to Adams IMO as to which is the leader with sarcastic commentary.
dirislr#209355 writes:
I can't understand why you people who hate John Adams so much keep reading his articles. The same people keep saying the same thing. This seems sort of stupid to me.
voloffaith writes:
Some have said recruiting hasn't held up lately and that may be true. Again, remember ladies and gents that Ms. Brewer bolted for west coast and Ms. Cain retired then went to Europe to play. So post game was wanting in physicality in a major way. Temper that with the coaching mish mash this past year and greater parity and yes we don't have a dynasty as in prior years.The times they be a changin'
orangecountyvols writes:
Oh yes, we knew you'd rear your ugly head with your usual and expected whiny comments. You are in serious consideration to be the most "miserable excuse" for a poster on this site. Only difference is Adams gets paid for the stuff he writes.........you just do it for free to convince everyone of what you are.
OldVols68 writes:
Why is he a jerk? Because he writes the truth??? He did his job -- he got your attention...
That said, I am and always have been a Vol fan. But reality needs to set in sooner or later.
But funny: I say pretty much the same about the sportswriters for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where I worked for nearly 30 years. I think it must be gene-related?????
OwensboroVol writes:
I think that I actually realized this with the loss to Ball State. Part of being a Dynasty is winning a lot of games just by showing up. The game with Ball State was one which should have been won just by showing up. Ball States performance and win was an indication that the fear of the Lady Vols was not there anymore or at least had diminished by a great deal. I think UConn is starting to see the same thing. I hope the Lady Vols win the next 50 National Championships but I think We all know that its not going to be easy and that Holly Warlick has her job cut out for her.
adimatteo#261830 writes:
sorry folks, but what is there to disagree with.
No one can take away all that UT and CPS has done for womans BB, but reality is, there is more parity, girls can a ctually grow up and play for their state school, or go elsewhere, not a knock on anyone.. reality.
gc_scvol writes:
dirislr#209355 and adimattoe#261830 accounts created the same day in 2007. Both always defend JA. Could this be JA defending himself? I'm just saying......
tomkats3242 writes:
FIRE Adams and stop him from being on UT campus for any occasion. He needs to move to Alabama where they don't read papers.
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
At the very least, it looks on the dark side of the situation. It doesn't say that we can't.
Sure would be fun for a Holly Warlick team to continue Pat's traditions.
buzz29 writes:
The primary question isn't whether John is trashing the Lady Vols. He isn't (folks, try to overcome the emotional overreactions). It also isn't whether John is stating the obvious. He is (John, try to do better). The primary question is will the Lady Vols return to greatness? Only time will tell.
CrankE writes:
If only Adams employment at KNS were a thing of the past . . .
Maybe Adams could move to Alabama like his buddy Gribble and become a beat reporter under Nick Saban's desk.
SevenT writes:
Without question when a legendary coach like Pat Summitt steps down a Dynasty ends. As a Kentucky fan I am relieved they hired this no-name Assistant Warlick to take her place. I was nervous they were going to make a run at Kentucky's Coach Matthew Mitchell.
abnermc writes:
Why would anyone read past the headline? Wake up readers... do not read his junk...you are enablers!!
asmith writes:
i'm not a big follower of women's basketball. my only question is, why wasn't kelly jolly(harper) hired?
bigfan865 writes:
I am so blown away by some of you posters.
The KY fan is glad we hired "this no name assistant" because they feared TN would make a run at Matthew Mitchell.
Matthew was a total no name till Pat gave him a job. He stayed a very short time but she saw he had potential and she gave him great references. Meanwhile Holly stayed by her side and learned even more than Mitchell did in his short time. She is certainly not a "no name"
Another poster talks of Nicki Caldwell being "10 times more qualified than Warlick".
Really? Nicki learned from Pat and I am sure is a very good coach, but she hasn't won anything, yet. Just as Holly hasn't, YET!
Holly will keep things going the way Pat did in many ways because she is all about Pat's way. That's what she knows. Just because she stayed at TN where Mitchell and Caldwell moved on, means nothing with regard to her coaching ability. All it means is that she was very happy at TN. She's a local gal who was making a good living and surrounded by people and a program she loved. So she stayed. For that she is now considered a lesser coach? Give her a chance. Pat believes in her. That's enough for me!
Tweedy writes:
Tennessee hired just who they needed to hire. She needs her chance to be great, she has earned it, could have jumped ship like the Kintucky Coach Mitchell. But stayed to be part of a bunch of Championships. I beleive she's the right choice and will prove it far more then some people think. Not like the football bunch who brough in people who have no links to Tennessee in general.
Orangeblood13 writes:
+1
ellerbee123 writes:
Every night when I go to bed I thank God my husband is not John Adams and that I have been blessed with an upbeat personality type. I feel so bad for his poor wife and family...Perhaps tonight I will remember them in my prayers.
okievol1 writes:
Adams you always see the world around you as ugly and tainted and the glass half full. Do you just spend all your time thinking of new ways to bash the program. Holly, all true Volunteer Fans have your back and we KNOW that you will keep the program at an elite level. More banners will be hung JA mark it down!!
Theo writes:
In case some of the LV fans don't follow the men's threads this poster is an absolute jerk whose sole goal in life is the have Coach Dooley fired and the doors closed on UT athletics. He can not mention Coach Dooley without using Dooleave, Doolittle. S_B_R is an absolute waste of oxygen and it disgusts me that he has now shown up here.
Some people believe he is the bitter Jeff Flowers - little brother of and perpetually overshadowed by Richmond Flowers. Makes sense although I don't know why he has it in for Holly. Anyway - ignore him, he has problems.
VolOak writes:
The problem with Mr. Adams is his eagerness to ALWAYS present the downside of the issue. All programs go through ups and downs...even championship programs. The Lady Vols have been no different, even with the mythical Pat Summitt. Otherwise she would have won a national championship every year. What Adams attempts to do is lower the expectations of the fans so we will accept habitual loosers. Why? I have my own idea, but one would have to wrangle the truth out of him. He is no friend of UT athletics.
ps11824 writes:
Holly is going to give 100% back to UT. How many of us can say that we give 100% back to our jobs? How many truly LOVE our job, how many times do we take the opportunity to teach and develop character as the coaching staff of the Lady Vols do?
Perhaps the biggest question to ponder... how much courage would it take for fans to positively support our new Coach Warlick and give her the proper respect that she has worked 27 years o earn? She deserves that. She has EARNED the job. Diligence goes a long way. Imagine what an awesome team we may have at UT when the players get on board and work as hard with the mind set of a Holly Warlick?
Why don't we do this...just for a lesson in the Definite Dozen; look around at the comments of posters on the various LV articles. Which of these would you consider if you were building a team? All you have to measure these on is the remarks they submit right here for the world to read and process whatever way they deem fitting.
Would you think you could know a little of their character, their work ethics or their likelihood for success by only what you read in these comments?
Would you choose them on your team of athletes; or journalists, or coaches? Would you want them for your friends?
Play this game with me. It will be fun. We may even search within a bit.
Theo writes:
I don't disagree with the general premise that there is more parity in Women's BB and having long dominant runs for anyone will be much more difficult. I also agree that programs go through ups and downs. Doesn't anyone else remember that the Lady Vols had plenty of years with 5+ losses and did not make it to the final four? So I don't agree that the last couple of years are the death knell of the program.
We lost to Ball State with a talented but immature team. It is true we had a talented team this year and I'm sure the Pat of five years ago would have gotten this group to the final four maybe even an NC. The additional truth is, however, this team did not have a leader - Glory was our closest thing but while she certainly could motivate herself to great performances she was not able to pull the rest of the group with her. Shekina had more talent than anyone but had no consistent on switch - God love her.
My problem is the headline and the fact that he waits until the very end of the article to throw out a small bone. Sooo negative. I think a more appropriate headline would have been - Greater parity in women's game makes dynasties a vanishing breed - but instead he makes the headline an insult to the Lady Vols. I don't know if he just likes insulting anything Vols or whether KNS thinks inflamatory headlines keep readers. Just wierd, I do wish he would go somewhere else. Journalists are worthless if the readership believes they have lost their objectivity.
tturley#297658 writes:
The LV's Program will not maintain its legendary status on the Summit brand going forward as her role diminishes. It will take leadership and strong recruiting to remain an elite program. Be mindful, it's hard to replace a legend, look at UCLA after Wooden, and Alabama after the Bahr, 5+ coaches before reaching a title game again. Good luck to Holly!
mytrifecta writes:
We just came off a final 4 and the dynasty is over? It's sad that writers like adams and climer sink to the depths they sink just to stir the pot. Both lack talent or an ounce of class and should never be allowed to write another story that appears in KNS.
Wayfarer writes:
Really? You think hiring Holly is a mistake. On what grounds? I know some have stated she lacks head coaching experience. That this will result in her failure as head coach of the Lady Vols. I think your logic is faulty.
I know to many that it appears there was just a whimsical decision to hand over a top flight program to an untested rookie head coach. Do you honestly think that Joan Cronan, Dave Hart, or Lady Vol former players weren't searching for a coach since they learned of Pat's illness? The search may not have made national press that does not mean meetings haven't taken place. That nobody beside Holly was considered for the job. That valued former players weren't asked for input. I will bet the farm that with 40 plus coaches in the ranks of the Lady Vols that their input was heard.
You seem to forget that Holly helped win those 8 national championships. She helped coach dozens of All-Americans plus was one herself. You seem to think she is just some inexperienced assistant coach but she isn't. She has sat beside the Master for 30 plus years. She has helped Pat, supported her and the Lady Vols. Holly made her choice several times over the years beginning with the day she inked her name on scholarship papers to become a Lady Vols. She chose it when she turned down offers to seek head coaching jobs, she chose to remain a Lady Vol. If you know anything about Pat Head Summitt you know that she stated over and over that she surrounds herself with the best at what they do and she kept Holly around for a reason. No Sammy, Holly isn't a mistake. UT didn't make a mistake when they signed her as player, as an assistant coach, nor as our new Head Coach.
Big_Orange_Aide writes:
I actually didn't read the article; I already know what to expect. If you want change to come to this site, don't read those who want to discredit the program. GO BIG ORANGE
gc_scvol writes:
SEE ALSO tturley#297658
judymont66 writes:
I agree also with Adams,hope I am wrong,hate to see what Pat built in her 38 years,and then it all goes down hill
VFL70 writes:
It just so happens that JA doesn't see everything through orange tinted glasses; if he did we may not get an objective view. Yes, I am a die hard LV fan but its very obvious things have changed over the last 4 years or so with the team. Recruiting is down, competition is up.
We all want the LV to rule again, but its highly unlikely we will ever have another ride like the past 23 years (8 NCs in that period).
watchdog writes:
John Adams wrote: "In fact, the Lady Vols' dynasty ended before Summitt was forced to quit coaching because of early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type."
_____________________
If this is so, it's interesting Adams didn't have the gumption to say so and phrase it in this way until a couple days after Summitt announced her retirement, at least not that I'm aware of. Has anyone else seen any other "the dynasty is over" articles on here that say it so plainly?
Probably not, would be my guess, because to say so would just be patently stupid. Here's a tip: winning a national championship is hard. In women's basketball, it has become progressively harder because, as Mr. Adams mentioned, there are more and more very, very good teams. Some elsewhere - Stanford, Notre Dame, Baylor... the list goes on. It's not just a two-team sport. Some are in our own neighborhood. Kentucky has looked good lately, LSU had those Sylvia Fowles and Seimone Augustus teams, etc.
Yet, despite the ever-improving quality of play in the Sport That Pat Built (that'd be womens' basketball), the UT Lady Vols have had just an astounding track record. Here's the meat of it, for anyone interested in keeping score.
In 2009, the Lady Vols didn't win a national championship, the SEC tournament, or the SEC regular season. If you want to know the last time that happened, you have to look back to 1986. They won the SEC regular season in 2010 and 2011, and the SEC tournament in 2010, 2011 and 2012 since that one-year dip in form. They won at least one of the three every single year for 22 years, took a year off, and have since rattled off three more in a row. Talk about toiling in mediocrity, huh?
Their current national title drought isn't even their longest one, which occurred in between the Chamique Holdsclaw and Candace Parker teams.
We should all be so lucky as to have a team whose "decline" means winning, year after year after year, for decades.
PS, for KNS: It's a sad indictment when there's a fairly plausible case to be made for telling your readers "don't feed the trolls", and meaning your columnists.
Bubba_Knows writes:
Having spent an afternoon at Pat's Coaching Clinic, I can honestly say I would not like to be her predecessor. One word. Impressed! She has forgotten more about the game than most will ever know. Her record speaks for itself.
bigfan865 writes:
Amy,
You say Holly has been an assistant to a coach who likely never asked advice from her.
You are obviously not a real Lady Vol follower and have not read or listened to Pat's press conference remarks over the years. On many occasions, for many years, Pat has given credit to Holly, or another assistant for their in game input. Find a clip from the 2008 NC celebration in Thompson Boling and watch it. Pat gives huge credit to her assistants for persuading her to do certain things. Read her books. Pat is very big on asking for input from those around her. It's one of her best leadership qualities. I assure you Holly, nor any other assistants over the years, have silently sat there without input. Pat would fire a coach who didn't give her input and ideas.
Holly has been an assistant in a program where assistants gain great experience by being a major part of the gameplanning and coaching. She is going to pleasantly surprise a lot of you "fans" when she is successful.
PUL4VOLS writes:
NEGA-John always has his writing utensils ready. Man o Man why do they keep him in town?
bigfan865 writes:
Amy,
Here's the clip for your viewing pleasure.
It's almost 10 min. Just go to the 6 min mark and hear Pat talk about her assistants and their input during the amazing LSU semi final game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR7jMr...
Holly is very ready to be a head coach.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.