Reader miffed Lady Vols basketball coach Kellie Harper still employed by Tennessee | Adams

The Lady Vols recent tailspin got the attention of my literary contributors and proved me wrong. I had begun to think fans were OK with what the program has become.

The program probably has had three less flattering games in succession, but I can’t remember them.

First, they blew a 16-point lead on their home court in a 74-69 loss to Notre Dame. Next, they looked as though they had never seen a full-court press in a 78-58 home-court loss to Ohio State. Then, they lost for the first time to MTSU, 73-62.

My readers noticed.

Ed writes: I have been watching the Lady Vols for more years than I wish to disclose. I believe this is the worst team I have seen Tennessee place on the court. I can find nothing positive to say about them, so therefore I will say no more.

My response: Positive comments aren’t a requirement here. Next time, don’t hold anything back. The readers will appreciate you more.

Mike writes: Why is Kellie Harper still employed?  She has developed a Lady Vols team that has a losing record and cannot even beat Middle Tennessee.  And even worse, her husband is on the UT payroll, too. What a farce.

My response: Not only is she employed. She received a contract extension through 2028 last April. In announcing the extension, UT athletic director Danny White said: "The Lady Vols have a commitment to excellence, and I look forward to watching her program continue to rise under her leadership."

Glenn writes: Pat Summitt would turn over in her grave if she could see the way the Lady Vols turn the ball over.  They had 17 against Notre Dame and 20 against Ohio State – both losses.

Turnovers are a result of players carelessness and lack of focus.  And this is a result of poor coaching.  Pure and simple.

My response: Turnovers have been prevalent during the Kellie Harper era. If you have enough talent, they can be overcome. But the Lady Vols had to play both games without their best player, Rickea Jackson.

Jackson couldn’t have helped them enough against Ohio State, though. That was an embarrassing loss.

The loss to MTSU was more embarrassing.

Terry writes:  Your line, “then, on the next play he might drop a pass that any of my readers could have caught,” must have been a dig at contributor Negative Mike.

My response: Not at all. You should know by now I rarely take shots at my literary contributors. However, in-fighting among them is encouraged.

Keep in mind I have multiple Mikes who contribute. You are currently the only Terry, but I welcome others by the same name.

Another Mike writes: Always remember that FSU is in a mid-major conference in reality.

When FSU entered the ACC about 1990, I told my friend Wade, a UNC guy, that FSU would not lose a conference game in that century. Well they actually lost one to Virginia on a late disputed call moving the ball a foot I believe.

So, what has been so great about Clemson the last few years? They were in the same conference.

My response: If Florida State hadn’t lost quarterback Jordan Travis to injury, it might have had the best team in the country.

You still can have the best team even if you play in a lesser conference. Clemson proved that in its two victories over Alabama on the way to national championships. One of those victories was a blowout.

Colorado Mark writes: So, the Commissioners are begging the Congress to FIX their NIL problems with legislation. Now, that is the dumbest thing regarding NIL that I have heard yet.  Asking that bunch to fix NIL is like asking the mafia to run your casino.

ADAMS:If a 13-0 Tennessee missed CFP, Vols fans would have made Schiano Sunday look like a picnic

My response: Perhaps, college administrators should have invested some thought in where NIL legislation would lead. But that was probably asking too much.

I’ve seen enough mafia movies to know it is more farsighted.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.