An objective view of the current LV woes.

[emkyle]

Certainly just speculation on my part but drawing on my many years as a health care provider and working with demented patients. When you look at the current class of seniors it seems apparent that they have failed to develop and mesh into a consistent and effective team. The unfortunate and insidious nature of the disease that Coach Summit suffers from is that it is slow and progressive. When she announced her diagnosis last summer I believe many fans mistakenly believed that her symptoms had just began. I think It's probable that her decline began some time ago. Possibly about the time this class of seniors was recruited. Although it may not have been obvious, even a moderate decline in her abilities would have had a slow but destructive impact on the entire program. Players and assistant coaches alike would have to be affected. I think its a great testimony to what a powerful figure and a fantastic coach she was. When you think about the way the team had declined with her illness even with a team full of HS all americans and decades of coaching experience from her assistants. It's obvious how much they miss the REAL Pat Summit. I truly hope they can turn it around. God bless Coach Summit and go Lady Vols!

[Slydell]

[WA_Vol]

I think she will step down when she is not able to coach at the level she wants. She has nothing to prove to anyone.

[JonWard]

The late timeouts in the Arkansas game were worthless. 80% of it was asst coaches debating/drawing up plays, while the players went uncoached.

[orangeluvr]

Parity+ LV are beatable + 0 pride in the name on their chest.

[Headed For Home]

This is certainly a very emotionally difficult time for the team as a whole. I think the erratic play is more a symptom of their distraction than anything else. It cannot be easy for them to stay focused considering the circumstances regarding Pat's health and the uncertainty of her coaching future.

[esarmstrong]

Originally Posted by WA_Vol

I think she will step down when she is not able to coach at the level she wants. She has nothing to prove to anyone.

I just hope that she will KNOW when that time has come. Given the fact she is suffering from a mental disease, to what extent does this effect her decision-making concerning her time to "step down"? Will she be able to make such a tough decision or will it have to be made by someone other than her (the University)?

[arkyvol]

the difference between this team and the great teams of the past is that those teams had pat to coach them. take her out of the picture then and you can take down the eight championship banners. you can't take one of the all time great coaches away and then blame the players for what happens.

[arkyvol]

Originally Posted by WA_Vol

I think she will step down when she is not able to coach at the level she wants. She has nothing to prove to anyone.

joe dimaggio had nothing to prove, but he hung it up when he was still a good player, but nothing like his reputation. he knew it was time. when asked why he was retiring, he said, "i want to go before the fans want me to." does anyone really think that if pat summitt were herself, she'd put up with the kind of coaching the team has gotten this season?

[OJ]

It's almost like having to take the car keys away from elderly Mom. Mom still thinks she drives as good as ever. Family has to make the tough decisions hear.

[emkyle]

Originally Posted by arkyvol

the difference between this team and the great teams of the past is that those teams had pat to coach them. take her out of the picture then and you can take down the eight championship banners. you can't take one of the all time great coaches away and then blame the players for what happens.

I would have to agree. The point being that team dynamics and consistency have been an issue since these girls were freshmen and lost in the first round of ncaa. No way that happens if PS was 100% or even 90%. This may be one of the most talented teams in the history of the program but have been chronically under coached since they have been there. Even with all the experience of Holly, Mickie and Lockwood, they could not have much impact because of such a legendary figure in place. I'm also afraid if one of them is her successor that the head coaching by committee would continue because they are so accustomed to it. Need that strong Pat like figure to come in and start fresh. Of course only after she decides to step down.

[emkyle]

Clarification. I'm not advocating her being replaced until she decides It's time. All the championships in the world wouldn't be worth hurting her.

[vollygirl]

I think the OP's assessment is spot on.

[Slydell]

It's a very speculative opinion at best, IMO. Hard to believe this could have started that long ago without Pat realizing something was wrong. Or, if so, go that many years without seeking some medical explanation. Again, just my humble opinion. I can see the reasoning behind it, just don't follow the same line of thinking myself.

[vollygirl]

Most people know something isn't quite right and attribute it to a multitude of things at first. I doubt many start off thinking their symptoms point to dementia.