GAMEDAY CENTRAL: #9 Tennessee vs. #2 Notre Dame

[Slydell]

Originally Posted by Larry1949

I would trust the Pat we know and respect, not the person sitting on the bench in 2012. My father in law has dementia. As I remind my wife constantly, that is not the father you grew up with, that is an 84 yr old man man who reasons poorly, is frequently disinterested and loses focus. That is not the intense, focused coaching icon we came to depend on. That is a lady fighting to retain some semblance of dignity as the twilight approaches.

No one is bigger than the program, no one.

Pat is not anywhere near the condition you state. She probably will be at some time, not yet.

[Larry1949]

Originally Posted by 95 Vol Alum

He's responsible for both. There's nothing wrong with being patient this season for Pat and her extended family and let change come in the offseason.

True change takes two things; a powerful enemy and imminent danger.

It would seem a sizable portion of the Vol universe is not there yet. I am.

[Slydell]

Good to see all the new posters coming in.

[GBO18]

Originally Posted by Slydell

Good to see all the new posters coming in.

[Slydell]

Don't ever take down that post by Newt. One of my favorites.

[PineyBluff Vol]

Originally Posted by Larry1949

I would trust the Pat we know and respect, not the person sitting on the bench in 2012. My father in law has dementia. As I remind my wife constantly, that is not the father you grew up with, that is an 84 yr old man man who reasons poorly, is frequently disinterested and loses focus. That is not the intense, focused coaching icon we came to depend on. That is a lady fighting to retain some semblance of dignity as the twilight approaches.

No one is bigger than the program, no one.

You are so right. People saying Pat knows what is best. I know my brother in law who has dementia did not know what was best, or the medication he was taking did not let my brother in law make proper decisions. I don't want this to happen to Pat!

[PineyBluff Vol]

Originally Posted by Slydell

Pat is not anywhere near the condition you state. She probably will be at some time, not yet.

You seem to have more knowledge than you are giving to us. Would you care to expound on your expertise in this disease. Or perhaps give us your view of Pat that we are not seeing...maybe your personal experiences with Pat that will help ease our minds.

[Larry1949]

Originally Posted by PineyBluff Vol

You seem to have more knowledge than you are giving to us. Would you care to expound on your expertise in this disease. Or perhaps give us your view of Pat that we are not seeing...maybe your personal experiences with Pat that will help ease our minds.

Agree

[Slydell]

Originally Posted by PineyBluff Vol

You seem to have more knowledge than you are giving to us. Would you care to expound on your expertise in this disease. Or perhaps give us your view of Pat that we are not seeing...maybe your personal experiences with Pat that will help ease our minds.

The disease advances differently for each person. Ultimately, and sadly, the ending is the same. I've watched three people with it from the beginning until the end. Most recently and more closely, my Mom. It was publicly announced that coaching duties would be shared more than ever before. Obviously, we're seeing that. I think a lot of what we're seeing with Pat on the side has more to do with the medications she is taking due to the disease. Also, fatigue, to different extremes, is something many experience. She seemed full of fire the last couple of games when getting of the refs. But, I know that things can change overnight with this disease. I know one person who did well for a year, another who went from being a top surgeon to a shell in 6 months. The last, from fully capable to not remembering what happened a minute ago in one month. I've been a Pat and Lady Vol supporter for 40 years. Maybe that makes it harder for me or might make me less objective in this instance.

[Larry1949]

Originally Posted by Slydell

The disease advances differently for each person. Ultimately, and sadly, the ending is the same. I've watched three people with it from the beginning until the end. Most recently and more closely, my Mom. It was publicly announced that coaching duties would be shared more than ever before. Obviously, we're seeing that. I think a lot of what we're seeing with Pat on the side has more to do with the medications she is taking due to the disease. Also, fatigue, to different extremes, is something many experience. She seemed full of fire the last couple of games when getting of the refs. But, I know that things can change overnight with this disease. I know one person who did well for a year, another who went from being a top surgeon to a shell in 6 months. The last, from fully capable to not remembering
what happened a minute ago in one month. I've been a Pat and Lady Vol supporter for 40 years. Maybe that makes it harder for me or might make me less objective in this instance.

Your insights dovetail with my understanding of the disease. That is why I feel change must happen now. The coaches and players must focus on what they have to do to improve, not be distracted by looking out for Pat out of the corner of their eye.

Vol fans would like the world to stand still and let Pat's coaching tenure end gracefully and on our perception of her terms. Unfortunately, today's high school jrs and seniors will not come to UT based on our rich past. They, and their parents, must, and will, look at their individual futures. They can't live in our tradition or on Pat's legacy. If Pat was her true self, she would emphatically tell you the same thing.

[PineyBluff Vol]

Yes, the disease is horrible.