[81alum]

well, if there were any doubts about the difference that a great coach makes, Tennessee is dispelling them. Doesn't bode well for us when Tara retires!

I worry too, however, Kate Paye is brighter than Holly Warlick, and Tara also has had a track record of training many successful coaches.  I suspect Tara is preparing Kate far better than Pat prepared Holly.   Stanford also has a gigantic recruiting advantage that doesn't depend on Tara: it is Stanford, and the academics will always be a draw for a certain kind of elite player.   (Like the kind who goes on to earn an MBA and JD from Stanford, becomes a corporate lawyer, and then gives it all up to go back to be a coach!)

While I hate to even think about an era after Tara, it might not be as bad as Tennessee has had it.   In any case, why on earth would Tara even consider retirement for another four or five years, given the incredible talent that she is going to enjoy working with :)

[81alum]

well, if there were any doubts about the difference that a great coach makes, Tennessee is dispelling them. Doesn't bode well for us when Tara retires!

I worry too, however, Kate Paye is brighter than Holly Warlick, and Tara also has had a track record of training many successful coaches.  I suspect Tara is preparing Kate far better than Pat prepared Holly.   Stanford also has a gigantic recruiting advantage that doesn't depend on Tara: it is Stanford, and the academics will always be a draw for a certain kind of elite player.   (Like the kind who goes on to earn an MBA and JD from Stanford, becomes a corporate lawyer, and then gives it all up to go back to be a coach!)

While I hate to even think about an era after Tara, it might not be as bad as Tennessee has had it.   In any case, why on earth would Tara even consider retirement for another four or five years, given the incredible talent that she is going to enjoy working with :)