Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart didn't deliver a long speech at the Big Orange Tipoff luncheon Wednesday. He wanted to leave plenty of time for questions.
The briefness of his speech made his point of emphasis more significant. He talked about the work of the women's basketball coaches, especially associate head coach Holly Warlick.
The subject has become more pertinent as the season has gone along, but it bears repeating in that I question whether all of UT's fans realize what a difficult situation this has been for the assistants in light of coach Pat Summitt's ongoing battle with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
Hart made it clear that he understands and — just as importantly — that he intends to be supportive.
"That entire staff has done a terrific job of prioritizing and helping Pat as she battles this very tough opponent," Hart said. "They have gone above and beyond what any coaching staff in America has done.
"(Warlick) has taken that leadership and done a terrific job, as all of those coaches have done. I definitely want to say that. It's a very unique environment she has been placed in."
That tells me Hart would at least consider Warlick for the head-coaching job when Summitt retires.
Many fans blamed Warlick and the other assistants when the team sagged during a recent stretch in which the Lady Vols lost four of nine games. The head coach usually should bear a significant part of the blame when a team goes south. But Warlick isn't the head coach.
She has many of a head coach's responsibilities, but she has neither the title nor the clout. Warlick has been very conscious of being deferential to Summitt, her boss and friend. She also has been considerate of her fellow assistants. As Hart said, "It's a very unique environment she has been placed in."
This is also foreign territory for an athletic director.
Hart strikes me as a get-things-done kind of guy, based on his comments and how some of his former associates have characterized him. But this requires that you get things done with a sensitive touch.
I can't imagine Summitt returning as head coach after this season. I also can't imagine someone telling her she can't return.
As long as her health will allow, I envision her having role with the program, just not the same one she has held for 38 years. I believe she will do — as she always has — what's best for the program.
Warlick said early in the season how understanding Hart was of the situation. Based on his comments Wednesday, that hasn't changed.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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Comments » 10
jt45 writes:
Wish I hadn't read this article !
VFL70 writes:
I'm glad I am not the AD.
gerryblack writes:
"Consider" Yeah it depressed me to.
chbradshaw writes:
Shouldn't a Senior Columnist come up with better stuff than this? This combined with yesterday's regurgitation of Hart's talk is just laziness.
We all know it is a tough and delicate situation with Pat Summit. We all know Holly Warlick will not be the next head coach.
Remarkably, despite her condition, Coach Summit performs at a much higher level than John Adams.
aidensgrandpa#442215 writes:
I do not understand the continual hate for John Adams. That was a very good article that told me something that I did not realize. I know that Adams sometimes writes negative articles that stick in the craw of some of us. But, when he writes a decent article that is supportive of UT than I think he deserves credit not blame. Grandpa4
pomp_and_circumstance writes:
Adams has never reported anything in his life. He is the master of observation and summation capped with a punchy opinion, intended to make crystal clear what none of the sweaty mob of UT fans could ever see for himself.
Holly has already said, most poignantly, "there are no books or manuals to turn to" in performing what this tragedy has thrown on her. And "tragedy" in the original Greek Drama sense is the exact word here - for Holly and all including Hart and Pat.
I keep waiting for a professional senior reporter like Michele Vopel of ESPN to write the definitive story of this tragedy.
budd#207344 writes:
Well Scoop, then tell me how you know Holly will not be the next HC?
tovolny writes:
The Adams BEAT GOES ON. Notice how he makes comments and makes the reader think Hart made them. There are stages to Coach Summitt's ilness, and I understand the first stage symptons have not yet developed, according to those close to Pat.
Does John know, the situation is being monitored? I know Climer has it all figured out as he obviously has lots of knowledge concerning Alzheimers. Ole Long John and Gomer are going to keep the Lady Vols situation stirred up and their insinuations suggesting the worse possible scenarios just keep coming in. Again, CLASSY or TRASHY...what do you think? Give them a C or a T.
tovolny writes:
Would someone else please respond to Grandpa and tell him how this Adams item is just a rehash of the news and how the obvious purpose for him to write was just to keep the dust boiling. What he said has already been said...over and over.
tovolny writes:
I am glad ro see this item didn't generate but a very few comments. Silence is GOLDEN.
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