(04-03-2014 10:04 AM)Northside Bruin Wrote:  I am not worried.

The point is pretty moot now since it appears UT has secured Martin's stay: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nca...l/7181731/


But, just for conversation's sake, why wouldn't you be worried? UT thought highly enough about Byrd to have an on-UT-campus interview with him in 2011:

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2011/mar/...rested-ut/

If Cuonzo would have left, do you think UT officials would view Rick Byrd as being a worse coach and less desirable candidate than he was just three short years ago? Do you think he's right now considered to be a worse potential UT coach among his fellow UT graduates (and Vol fans in general) then he was in 2011? Is it possible that a Knoxville-raised, UT graduate, and Ray Mears protege who has proven he can win on the highest of the D-1 level (see North Carolina) is incapable of successfully leading an SEC team? What has happened in the past three years that Byrd wouldn't want to interview (again) for the head coach job at his Alma-mater in his home town?

With regards to recruiting, are the shooting abilities of guys like Justin Hare, Ian Clark, and JJ Mann too inadequate to play at any higher level than the mid-major level? (I think the NBA's Utah Jazz has already answered that question). I don't know if you guys remember this or not, but when ETSU first entered the A-Sun, Belmont had a big 6'10" post player who transferred from UT to Belmont (Boomer Hernden). If Byrd can attract players like that FROM UT, is it not possible for him to attract them TO UT as well?