Louisiana Tech pins hopes on a new Summitt

[rebelboi]

BOCA RATON — The once-proud women's basketball program, the one seemingly running on fumes, suddenly was fuming.

Louisiana Tech coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who as a player led the school to a national title during the Reagan administration, had been fired in the wake of a 20-loss season. Team reaction ranged from bitter to boiling. Athletic director Tommy McClelland's meeting to inform the players had the soothing effect of peroxide.
Such was the hornet's nest of humanity into which Tyler Summitt — Weatherspoon's replacement — stepped two weeks later. He would either rouse the group or reassure it, and needed this first impression to work.
The Lady Techsters, in turn, needed some ID.
Ross Tyler Summitt, a newlywed with dimples carved into crimson cheeks, had been born for this moment. Thing was, he also had been born in the same decade as the kids he was about to address.

more
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baske...ummitt/2219377

[champion110]

Good article!

At 33, McClelland remains the youngest AD among Division I football-playing schools. To turn away Tyler for his age would have been the height of hypocrisy. Yet hiring him would seem —- to some Tech fans — the height of blasphemy.
Louisiana Tech remains the second-winningest Division I program in women's basketball. No. 1? Tennessee. During their heyday, the Lady Techsters knew no greater nemesis than Tyler's mom, who won her first national title — in 1987 — at the expense of Louisiana Tech in the final.
"It would be like if Bear Bryant had a son that was coaching football and Auburn wanted to hire him," McClelland said.

It is nice to see an article, at least, mention a little bit about our history. The bigger story is not his age, it is the two programs intertwining history.

[BruisedOrange]

Better writing and better research than most articles we've read.
Better balance, too, with more of AD McClelland's perspective. He deserves to share in whatever success CTS achieves.

[Dawgpix]

Wow. A real newspaper . . . .

[TechFanno1]

Wow. A real newspaper . . . .

once upon time reporters actually were reporters and journalist. Doing things like resesrch that you talked about. Now reporters do not do this. They also include their bias sandwiched in story. I am really a fan of Sean Isabella. Follow him on Twitter and you really see it. He is for us like Glenn Guilbeau is for LSU.

[BruisedOrange]

I am really a fan of Sean Isabella. Follow him on Twitter and you really see it. He is for us like Glenn Guilbeau is for LSU.

Great lead TechFanno1. I checked out several of Isabella's stories and am impressed. He brings a lot more information, quotes, etc. Right. Like actual journalism.

Sean Isabella is now on my regular net-route. Thanks TF1 for a great, new (to me) resource!

[rebelboi]

what's surprising for me is that this is from a Tampa newspaper

[Dawgpix]

what's surprising for me is that this is from a Tampa newspaper

. . . home of this year's Final 4. They're just getting prepped with womens coverage for that.