Danny White faces a big decision – his biggest decision, in fact, since he hired Josh Heupel in 2021.

White is conducting a Lady Vols coaching search that will reshape the direction of the program. Kellie Harper maintained the program as an NCAA Tournament regular, but she repeatedly peaked in the Sweet 16, and the Lady Vols were eliminated in the second round this year. Recruiting momentum had stalled.

White acted boldly by firing a coach who played for Summitt and who won 20 games this season.

Now, he must be bold in his quest to hire just the fourth coach in program history. The last two Lady Vols coaches came from the Pat Summitt tree. Will White look outside the Lady Vols family for this hire? That seems likely.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Cora Hall and John Adams weigh in on the Lady Vols search.

First, they address the candidacy of Duke's Kara Lawson. Verdict: Lawson should not be viewed as the frontrunner.

Then, each offers two swing-for-the-fences candidates, plus a fallback option.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

<a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/04/01/kellie-harper-lady-vols-basketball-coach-danny-white-tennessee-pat-summitt/73168896007/" aria-label="Link Danny White">Danny White</a> faces a big decision – his biggest decision, in fact, since he hired Josh Heupel in 2021.
White is conducting a <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/womens-basketball/2024/04/03/tennessee-lady-vols-basketball-search-coach-candidate-kellie-harper-danny-white/73112456007/" aria-label="Link Lady Vols coaching search">Lady Vols coaching search</a> that will reshape the direction of the program. Kellie Harper maintained the program as an NCAA Tournament regular, but she repeatedly peaked in the Sweet 16, and the Lady Vols were eliminated in the second round this year. Recruiting momentum had stalled.
White acted boldly by firing a coach who played for Summitt and who won 20 games this season.
Now, he must be bold in his quest to hire just the fourth coach in program history. The last two Lady Vols coaches came from the Pat Summitt tree. Will White look outside the Lady Vols family for this hire? That seems likely.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/corahalll" aria-label="Link Cora Hall">Cora Hall</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> weigh in on the Lady Vols search.
First, they address the candidacy of Duke's Kara Lawson. Verdict: Lawson should not be viewed as the frontrunner.
Then, each offers two swing-for-the-fences candidates, plus a fallback option.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 
Connect on Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/">https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/</a>
Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

A Tennessee Vols podcast from the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee.

The Volunteer State

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer.

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