The CheckerBoard

I think it bears mentioning that there is a contingent of powerful "Good ol' girls" in the Knoxville area that have a disdain for men's sports due to the favor that the University showed to its money maker, the football program, despite the down years all while the Lady Vols were racking up National Titles.

It's very unfortunate that Pat's illness has precluded her from continuing to be a fantastic coach, but I'm glad that Dave Hart has begun to trim the fat that has been riding Pat's coattails for the better part of two decades now. Especially when that fat has no love for Vol football.

IMO (as a practicing trial attorney), the biggest mistake laymen make in reading legal memoranda is overreaction. The key is to remember who the decision maker will be if the case go to trial. While I agree that Pat's affidavit could result in a major PR problem, it is in no way a death sentence to Hart/UT's underlying defense. Moreover, it is clear that while Pat's affidavit expresses her obvious disagreement with the decision to fire Jennings, the affidavit does little to support an "unlawful discrimination and retaliation" claim from a legal perspective. At most, Pat's affidavit applies pressure to settle the matter as quickly and quietly as possible with the hopes of avoiding a PR nightmare. As many have noted above, this case will turn on UT's threshold for PR calamity.