Photo by Saul Young
Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt, left, and associate head coach Holly Warlick yell out directions to their players during a November 2008 game against Carson-Newman.
Holly Warlick has been part of more Pat Summitt wins than any other player or coach - except Summitt herself.
"I can't imagine life without Holly," Summitt said recently.
Warlick follows her boss's lead in not talking too much about being so close to 1,000 career wins. But she reflects on Summitt's career and past milestones.
Times have changed a lot since win No. 100 in Raleigh, N.C., against North Carolina State in 1979. Warlick was the point guard. Summitt did not get the game ball from the home team. Warlick laughed and said, "I guess they just couldn't afford it."
Budgets for women's sports were skimpy then. "We were just trying to establish a program and build it, and get to a point where we could win a national championship," Warlick said. "To look at it now, it is just incredible at how quickly she has won so many games."
Warlick returned to UT as an assistant coach in time to be a part of Summitt's 300th win. Times have changed, but Summitt's approach to milestone wins - not paying much attention to it - has not, Warlick said.
"She lives in the moment," Warlick said. "She's just taking this one day at a time. She's not talked to any of the girls about it. She's not one to say, 'try to win something for me.' "
Have the players talked about it? "I'm sure they have, but not to us," Warlick said. "We work so hard to keep them focused, they may be afraid to."
Warlick said the care and direction Summitt offers players beyond basketball only helps them in the game. Fans see the intensely driven coach, shouting her players on. "But we get to see more of the other side of her."
"(More than all the wins), she is proud of the 100 percent graduation rate, of her relationships with all the people who have been involved with her in all the wins, and in watching the kids grow up and mature," Warlick said. "Her real focus is on making sure that these young ladies are more than just basketball players, that they are prepared to make it after basketball. It's tough love sometimes, and not always easy for the kids to take. But when they grow up and look back, they get it."
Jim Balloch can be reached at 865-342-6315
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 6
VAvolfanRON writes:
UTfan...
no doubt.....i dont understand why she isnt head coach somewhere......maybe like a bud foster or jimbo fisher
i actually remember her when she played!!! she was the start of the dynasty
tnluv2play writes:
When Pat retires, I'd like to see Holly step into her shoes.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Not everybody has ALL the qualities required to be a successful head coach. Lots of people can learn tactics and strategy, can show players how to execute, and can even mentor them in the bigger game of life, but not everyone can ALSO deal with recruiting, pushy parents, media, program donors, fans, athletic department and university politics, selecting and directing assistant coaches and other support personnel, and a dozen other things that I can't even think of right now. Some people don't want to spend every waking moment of their lives driving, or being driven by, an all-consuming machine like LV basketball. The fact that Pat has done so, with seemingly undiminished energy and effectiveness, for so long is just one of many reasons why she is one of the best ever at it. Holly could be, and probably is, an extraordinary person and yet feel herself unwilling, or, perhaps in some sense, unable to muster the passion for a job like that.
LadyVolFanForever writes:
Holly loves the Lady Vols, basketball and coaching. There is no better assistant head coach anywhere ! I agree, she has her niche and she is perfectly happy with it. Thank goodness for that, as Holly and Coach Summitt make a dynamic duo. Thank you Holly for all you do !
98reax writes:
I've often wondered what, why and the wherefores of Holly staying put right where she is, but each and every time I end that thought with: I am so glad she stayed. I think Holly is priceless. Hope she knows we know that.
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
100% graduation rate.
Even if you didn't have a winning program, that statistic makes this program a success. I'm sure Pat Summitt would agree, it takes more than just a legendary head coach to make it happen.
Congrats to you too, Coach Holly...and thanks for all you do. Sure glad you're on our side.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.