New Lady Vols Coach Still Leans On Summitt

The Red & Black

http://www.redandblack.com/sports/tennessee-women-s-basketball-will-face-adjustment-period-after-losing/article_ca26cbf2-22bd-11e2-baa0-001a4bcf6878.html

There were two crowds gathered in the Riverchase Ballroom of the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala. for the annual SEC Media Day last Thursday.

At the center of the larger crowd was John Calipari, speaking about his reigning NCAA champions Kentucky Wildcats squad. Idolized by the media, the Wildcats is being covered by most major outlets in America.

At the center of the other, slightly smaller crowd, is Holly Warlick, who is entering her first official season as the head coach of the University of Tennessee’s women’s basketball team.

A reporter glanced toward the crowd gathered around Calipari, then back at Warlick.

“It still doesn’t meet the crowd you and Pat had last year, the reporter said.

Warlick’s answer was succinct: The key word is Pat.”

“Pat, of course, is the legendary Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt, one of the most successful coaches in the history of American sports.

Summitt coached at Tennessee for 38 years and accumulated a massive 1098 wins, as well as 18 Final Four appearances and 8 national titles.

Her immense stature presents a unique challenge for Warlick: how do you follow one of the greatest of all time?

I love the opportunity to follow Pat Summitt, Warlick said. I’ve been associated with her. I’ve worked for her. I’ve played for her. It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a challenge, absolutely. I’m blessed to have this opportunity and it’s wonderful.”

Warlick attended last year’s SEC Media Day with Summitt in preparation for her eventual transition from assistant to head coach.

“I think last year was a great training tool for me, Warlick said. The opportunity to sit with Pat, by her side, and make sure I was there for her and the program [was important to me].”

New Lady Vols Coach Still Leans On Summitt

The Red & Black

http://www.redandblack.com/sports/tennessee-women-s-basketball-will-face-adjustment-period-after-losing/article_ca26cbf2-22bd-11e2-baa0-001a4bcf6878.html

There were two crowds gathered in the Riverchase Ballroom of the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala. for the annual SEC Media Day last Thursday.

At the center of the larger crowd was John Calipari, speaking about his reigning NCAA champions Kentucky Wildcats squad. Idolized by the media, the Wildcats is being covered by most major outlets in America.

At the center of the other, slightly smaller crowd, is Holly Warlick, who is entering her first official season as the head coach of the University of Tennessee’s women’s basketball team.

A reporter glanced toward the crowd gathered around Calipari, then back at Warlick.

“It still doesn’t meet the crowd you and Pat had last year, the reporter said.

Warlick’s answer was succinct: The key word is Pat.”

“Pat, of course, is the legendary Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt, one of the most successful coaches in the history of American sports.

Summitt coached at Tennessee for 38 years and accumulated a massive 1098 wins, as well as 18 Final Four appearances and 8 national titles.

Her immense stature presents a unique challenge for Warlick: how do you follow one of the greatest of all time?

I love the opportunity to follow Pat Summitt, Warlick said. I’ve been associated with her. I’ve worked for her. I’ve played for her. It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a challenge, absolutely. I’m blessed to have this opportunity and it’s wonderful.”

Warlick attended last year’s SEC Media Day with Summitt in preparation for her eventual transition from assistant to head coach.

“I think last year was a great training tool for me, Warlick said. The opportunity to sit with Pat, by her side, and make sure I was there for her and the program [was important to me].”