Warlick talks to South Carolina

Lady Vols assistant could become head coach

By Dan Fleser

Originally published 03:41 p.m., April 28, 2008
Updated 09:50 p.m., April 28, 2008

Already down one assistant, Tennessee is facing the possibility of losing another coach from its women's basketball staff.

Lady Vols associate head coach Holly Warlick said Monday that she has spoken with SEC-rival South Carolina about its head coaching vacancy. Warlick declined to comment further.

Lady Vols assistant Nikki Caldwell was hired April 17 as head coach at UCLA.

At least three head coaches are involved in South Carolina's search to replace Susan Walvius, who resigned under pressure this month. One of them has a national championship on her resume.

A source said North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell, a Carson-Newman College graduate who helped guide the Tar Heels to the 1994 title, has interviewed for the opening. Temple coach Dawn Staley likely will be interviewed as well.

Chattanooga coach Wes Moore, who has led the Lady Mocs to seven Southern Conference championships in the last eight years and who coached at Maryville College, also is in the mix.

Warlick spoke to South Carolina officials Friday.

"When you hire good people and they prove their worth, people are going to come after them,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said. "Holly has done a tremendous job here. That's why her title is what it is."

Warlick, a three-time All-American as a player at Tennessee, became the top assistant on UT's staff after Mickie DeMoss departed in 2003. She just finished her 23rd season on the Lady Vols staff and has played a coaching part in all eight of UT's national titles.

"Do I want to lose her? No,'' Summitt said. "But if this is an opportunity she'd want to take if offered, I'd totally support it."