Lifelong Tennessee fan is fed up with college sports | Letter
A 79-year-old Tennessean says NIL and the transfer portal are destroying college sports. Agree or disagree? Write to letters@knoxnews.
com.
I am a 79-year-old lifelong Tennessean and onetime supporter of Tennessee Vols athletics. The current state of college sports in Tennessee has given me a different perspective on this subject. I think coaches are at a great disadvantage when 5-star athletes and elite transfers are given millions of dollars to play college sports.
I have no problem with players receiving compensation for playing, but it has gotten out of hand. I think a lot of coaches are fed up with having to pacify so-called high priced superstars or risk losing them to the transfer portal. The situation with the Lady Vols basketball program is a prime example.
Kim Caldwell was brought in as an unknown to resurrect the basketball program. She did an admirable job her first year but struggled this year even though she had five freshmen on the roster and three new players from the transfer portal trying to learn her system. Players today have an advantage because if they don't like the system the coach has installed they can bail on the coach, and that is what I think happened this year.