The State of Volleyball at the University of Tennessee

[bigbluevolley]

Hardangle gave me this thought when he mentioned Rob Patrick and coach Jones.

 

What are your thoughts on how things are going over on the hill?

[HardAngle]

UT is struggling, no doubt. Rob Patrick, however, did not forget how to coach and recruit. He is like most D1 coaches that are very hard on the kids. They tend to be verbally abusive and that has been noted by some on this board in reference to local club coaches as well. Rob has been here for a long time and, unfortunately, has probably developed a poor reputation among recruits with many girls transferring. Transfers are always going to happen, that's part of college athletics. Perhaps, Rob and UT need a fresh start. He has been at UT longer than most coaches stay in one spot. He is a great coach with great knowledge of the game who has hit a rut. He does, however, have SEC level talent but they are very young. Remember, coaching at any level is hard these days. College is worse and yes, parents are heavily involved as well. Not just a high school problem. Ask Holly Warlick and Rob, they will tell you.

[beachboy]

Yes, Rob has hit a tough spot.  But he has a young team, and if they will stay together I think he will be fine.  Sometimes coaches need to learn and grow just like the kids.  It is easy to keep doing the same thing over and over.  And yes, the parents are too involved at the college level too.  Shame for that.  Let the kids play and have fun and let the coaches coach.

[bigbluevolley]

A 2-34 conference record gets anyone released. trying to figure out why this hasn't happened yet. I do understand that they are a young team but this id D1 volleyball. 2-34 SHOULD be unacceptable. It would be if it was the football team. There are too mnay good coaches out there to keep this one around. Should be out!

[flyjgray]

I agree with BBV. Staying under budget isnt as important with the budget being much bigger in SEC volleyball, thanks to SEC channel. 

[2Players]

Parenting has nothing to do with the sorry state of UT volleyball.  Rob has overstayed his welcome.  It's time to go.  It's not just transfers, yes that will happen.  It's 5 in one season, at least two of them were all Americans.  The transfers also had nothing to do with the fact that he would say harsh things.  Like stated above, many really good coaches do that.  He's not a really good coach anymore.  Knowledgeable, yes.  His decision making has turned terrible.  How are you a major university, in the SEC, with a 15s team 15 minutes away that came in 3rd in the nation, access to a club that plays on the top level in the country, and you can't even get 1 player to call you back?  No one from the most compeititve club in the area wants to even go on a visit?  UT is the last resort for many of these players and they SHOULD be able to get first dibs.  The girls on this 15s team are ALL D1 recruits and not a single one want to go there.  Why?  The coaching style is terrible, the team has no discipline, no fire, there's nothing that says that they are ever going to go anywhere unless UT grows a pair and releases him just like they would do any other sport.  But it 's a money thing and he does come in under budget.  I know one reason why.  Because he doesn't scholarship all of his positions...that may have worked 5 or 6 years ago, but now that volleyball is on the rise in popularity and sales, it's not going to work. He provides his players with basics.  Nothing extra.   That's why he'll never get top level players.  Who would go play and pay for their education when they could go somewhere for free.  He's not a competitor when it comes to recruiting just like he's not on the court. It's like he doesn't care any more.  He's comfortable.  Even the girls basketball team (which is still a money maker) kicked them out of their training facility.  That's the real reason their building that new facility.  I grew up watching volleyball there and it's so heartbreaking to see how pitiful it is now.  I mean, it's not bad.  It's terrible.  I wish him all the luck in the world, but he needs to go.

[bigbluevolley]

I just heard that the 2 best players on the UT squad have asked and have been granted transfer papers.