From Facebook -
Ok so it's been 4 hours and I have some words, not many but some as it relates to our #ladyvols.
I was a player, so was Abby and Pashen and Tamika and Semeka and Chamique and Candace and Dawn and Shelley and Lisa and Pam and and and......
And I'm sorry but you just can't blame this on the coach.
Players play. Players make plays. Players win games. Players make free throws or they don't. Players are on the court. Players are in control. Players contest shots. Players get defensive stops. Players make or cause turnovers. Players take charges or punk out and don't sacrifice their bodies to do so. Players hit chippies or they don't. Players dive after loose balls or they choose not to.
Players are taught by their leaders, their coaches and I cannot stress enough the experience of this staff who is coaching these kids....is beyond what any other program can ask for.
The grass is NOT greener on the other side folks.
Players need to mature. Players need to value winning. Players need to feel the pain. So the next time when pain is looming, it feels different and therefore they will get a different outcome.
I really don't care if some fans don't agree with what I am saying but we have great players and great players need to step up as they always have in the TN program. Onus is on the players.
I will remind everyone that in 1996, we were 5 years without a Championship and Pat was as stressed as anyone EVER. She put the blame ON US to win. Mark my word, it was ours to win or not.
So please before you throw a baby out with the bathwater in blaming Holly, just remember it's a journey, not a sprint. In today's Me first, Video game reset world, everyone wants to get rid of the coach and think it will make it all right. Not so people.
Holly is a Pat's protege. She's got her blue print mapped in her body, soul and mind. You won't get any better, any closer to Pat than Holly.
I'd like everyone to think about this post as we tend not to blame the players only the coaches. Trust me, Pat blamed us and held us responsible.
Time for the players to own up. Whether anyone likes to read this or not, it's true and you can't argue it because I have been there and done that. 18 to 21 year olds are adults.
These ladies didn't just start playing
when they joined the Lady Vols , but
many have come from elite high school
programs and many are proven championship caliber teams. No doubt the coaches of these ladies along with other program (such as AAU, Boo Williams,U-16/18 and etc.)have invested their time/effort to bring these ladies to college level entry and they don't get to be ranked without all the rhetoric you're accusing them of not having or being.
This college level is responsible for taking them to the level of WNBA entry by developing the physical and mental skills and the whole kaboodle continuing in the steps of their previous coaches,mentors,trainers and whatever.They haven't gotten this far lacking too much.
Here's a question....When do Holly and company's responsiblity pickup to further put them in position to move to the next stage.
Much of the blame lies at her doorsteps.
Your post read like a "blame the players" post.
Can't believe they don't value winning and the rest of your rhetoric.
Maybe the baby needs to be thrown out with the bathwater. Holly is to far in the game to be considered a baby. Or
Maybe she is compared to other elite coaches. And many of these ladies are more mature than what you give them credit for.
And you're right, it's time they own up. Own up to winning a championship with a skilled coach.
I blame Holly first and foremost.
They don't make pacifiers for grown folks. I'm giving this baby up for adoption.
Prophet1