JJ Clark out at Tennessee

These are all very legit concerns, which I certainly hope that you've conveyed to the AD with a cc to the University president and Board of Directors, as well as the SEC and the NCAA.

Coaches News Network wrote:

These are all very legit concerns, which I certainly hope that you've conveyed to the AD with a cc to the University president and Board of Directors, as well as the SEC and the NCAA.

Well, the parent could only do that anonymously (otherwise, the child gets punished, or simply dropped from the team)--and how much attention do YOU pay to anonymous letters?

[As it is, this student is

(a) female--that narrows it down;

(b) almost certainly white--narrows it down more;

(c) a runner, not jumper/thrower--narrows it more;

(d) not a top athlete (who would go to most/all meets).

We're talking, then, about something fewer than ten people (based on the UT online roster). Even from an anonymous letter, if relayed to the coaching staff, it might be possible to identify one, maybe two individuals as "most likely" the student involved--and then she/they get(s) dropped from the team, if not chased off.]

People, understand the realities here!

*JJ has had (okay, not recently, but *has* had) considerable success with UT athletes and with pros; his bio looks good on the website.

*Every dark face that you have on staff in a minor sport puts less pressure on an AD to have a dark face on a sport that matters (football/basketball).

*ADs *must* spend most of their time on the major sports; so long as a minor sport doesn't make waves, coaching changes are not urgent. If scandals are avoided, there's no particular pressure to make immediate coaching changes based on performance.

So, what might be "scandals"? Well, are all the pro athletes officially listed as members (even if volunteer members) of the coaching staff? If not, then every time one of the pros works out with UT student-athletes, that's a day of competition as defined by the NCAA. Accordingly, have any UT athletes exceeded their allowable yearly days of comp?

Have any members of the coaching staff developed "personal relationships" with students? I have certainly *never* heard this about JJ--or any other member of the UT t&f coaching staff, for that matter--so good luck on that one.

Have any UT monies been misdirected, to pay the expenses of people who are not UT coaches or athletes? Hmm, possibility there...

You get the picture. It sounds like the situation is not ideal; it also sounds like the situation is unlikely to change soon.

bump.

Program is @ rock bottom - couldn't get any worse - could it??

Please, Please, Please do not renew that contract!!

Drum beat is louder than ever. If Dave Hart doesn't fire JJ now then its all financial. Too much to pay off contract. Knows new coach going to cost him more money. Knows new coach will come in demanding huge upgrades with facilities and such.

But over next 2 weeks at least a dozen of the former Vols in my era are giving Hart a call yet again.

I have no connection but if you are all going to call the AD and ask for him to fire the coach, maybe you should each be writing a check to help him meet the financial demands that you know he's going to be faced with in doing so.

Money talks and if you and your fellow alum really care, you will put your money where your mouth is.

Old Vol wrote:

But over next 2 weeks at least a dozen of the former Vols in my era are giving Hart a call yet again.

Okay, but based on my experience: if those former Vols have not been steady (and preferably significant) contributors to the program, their opinions are going to mean exactly dick.

That's just the reality of "minor" sports at a big-time D1, though I will say that, if your men's team would be challenged to win the Ivy League meet (I didn't score it, but there were certainly some holes in UT's SEC lineup--but some good performers, too), then improvement is called for.

UT Sports in general are the joke of SEC. Terrible, just terrible.

His contract is up and will not be renewed! To be announced right after regionals.

4 dead last place finishes

9 events entered with no scorers

6 events with no entries at all

0 points scored on the track

No finishes in the top half of an event on the track

Only 5 athletes scored in 4 events.

I wonder if the results to the SEC meet are compatible with an iPad, if they aren't JJ wont see them.

He needs to go.

JJ Clark is one of the greatest coaches to walk on this planet. He has a proven winning track record. Just look at the likes of Chanelle Price, Phoebe Wright, his sisters, his wife, and many more. 2009 Indoor Champions! That was only five years ago. It's not like he got in a car accident and magically lost all of his coaching ability. They have great track athletes on that team. Chelsea Blaase, Alexis Panisse, Felicia Brown, Felicia Majors are all pretty good. Those four are enough to build a track team around. On the men's side, Jake Blankenship could break Lawrence Johnson's school record if he wanted, and Kyle Quinn is the national leader. Also, Peter Okwera was a XC All-American in 2012. JJ CLARK IS THE BEST COACH IN THE NATION

lease wrote:

Okay, but based on my experience: if those former Vols have not been steady (and preferably significant) contributors to the program, their opinions are going to mean exactly dick.

That's just the reality of "minor" sports at a big-time D1, though I will say that, if your men's team would be challenged to win the Ivy League meet (I didn't score it, but there were certainly some holes in UT's SEC lineup--but some good performers, too), then improvement is called for.

If you aren't the fball or bball coach you're luck of the AD knows your name, (heck you might be MORE lucky if he doesn't!)

GET READY!!!

ataglance wrote:

lease wrote:

Okay, but based on my experience: if those former Vols have not been steady (and preferably significant) contributors to the program, their opinions are going to mean exactly dick.

That's just the reality of "minor" sports at a big-time D1, though I will say that, if your men's team would be challenged to win the Ivy League meet (I didn't score it, but there were certainly some holes in UT's SEC lineup--but some good performers, too), then improvement is called for.

If you aren't the fball or bball coach you're luck of the AD knows your name, (heck you might be MORE lucky if he doesn't!)

GET READY!!!!!!!!!!

GET READY!!!!!!!!!!

Ok cool. What has he done for Tennessee and both the men's and women's program as of recent? Why have our results gotten progressively worse since he was given control? UT isn't paying him to have faster post-collegiates. In fact, no body is because all if his 800m women have left him except for Chanelle who would run fast regardless of who coaches her. Results don't lie and his suck.

JJ isn't even the best coach on his staff. You just proved that he can't coach a program because you are still having to draw on results from a girl who graduated two years ago.

Are you CRAZY???? And "pretty good" is good enough for you? HE is a JOKE! who has been allowed to ruin peoples' dreams and futures. If he is such a good coach, why does the team suck so bad? Lets see, continue to blame it on someone else…that's what usually happens next. HE IS A HORRIBLE coach! He doesn't even deserve to be called "COACH" because he doesn't coach.

I'm feeling something BIG is getting ready to happen.