Holly Warlick's "Over The Top" RX To Loss

[UcMiami]

I think you put your finger on something important. PHS’s way worked for her largely because of her personality. Her stare was renowned for its fierceness, and rightly so. She could imbue her teams with that passion ad fire - Holly, not so much.

That’s why others that try to copy Geno can get only so far. His personality is on the court, usually conveyed through his point guard - Jen, Diana, Moriah, et al. It’s hard to duplicate the force of the coach’ personality

There was a really 'frightening' video of Holly the first or second year of her HCing gig where she talked about trying to do everything exactly as Pat had always done it, to saying something like I watched her for years and know exactly what she would do.

As soon as I saw that I knew TN was in trouble - most assistants try to take some of what they learn in each job on to the next job, but Holly didn't seem to have any ideas of her own beyond trying to do exactly what Pat had done. I have posted before this thought - I could see Holly with an office full of yearly binders that laid out exactly what had been done each day through the season for every year of her association with Pat, and her consulting those binders religiously each week to plan the following week's practice schedule: next Monday is day 15 of training camp ... that means we spend 30 minutes working on defensive stance, followed by 45 minutes of boxing out and rebounding work, followed by 20 minutes of offensive rebounding work.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

There was a really 'frightening' video of Holly the first or second year of her HCing gig where she talked about trying to do everything exactly as Pat had always done it, to saying something like I watched her for years and know exactly what she would do.

As soon as I saw that I knew TN was in trouble - most assistants try to take some of what they learn in each job on to the next job, but Holly didn't seem to have any ideas of her own beyond trying to do exactly what Pat had done. I have posted before this thought - I could see Holly with an office full of yearly binders that laid out exactly what had been done each day through the season for every year of her association with Pat, and her consulting those binders religiously each week to plan the following week's practice schedule: next Monday is day 15 of training camp ... that means we spend 30 minutes working on defensive stance, followed by 45 minutes of boxing out and rebounding work, followed by 20 minutes of offensive rebounding work.

28 years something had to rub off... Here it is:

 

[RockyMTblue2]

"To be fair, the bottom falling out of the program the way it has over the past two years is unacceptable. And the blame for that falls directly on Warlick.

But if a program is in decline, that’s bound to eventually happen. And the constant under-achieving in the tournament did begin to affect recruiting.

The Lady Vols failed to pick up a single recruit for its 2016 class, and it’s 2015 class was not even in the Top 10.

As a result, they operated this year with a very thin roster, especially when you consider on transfer and a season-ending injury.

So to get back to where they were, Warlick needs to show what she can do with top recruits and a deep roster again.

She has a good chance next year.

The Lady Vols are back on top with the No. 1 recruiting class again, and their top three players from this year are all juniors.

So Warlick deserves a shot to turn things around.

But if next season is like this one, then yes, it’s time to talk about a coaching change."

Article is one year old, so ....

Tennessee Lady Vols Decline Not All on Holly Warlick

Of course, it looks like she'll get another year, though we here are praying for a 5 year extension.

 

[Gus Mahler]

It's not about hating the players, it's about hating the program.
Heck, I hate the whole university.

 

[JordyG]

I wish you two would kiss and make up.

And maybe post photo's?

 

[Bayareahusky]

I have always been of the mind that the TN problem is all on Holly.... Just from the standpoint that the head coach has total control of ALL that takes place in her program, and is 100% responsible for the results

As of the point she started I could see errors she was making in game coaching.... and could see that she did not have control of her team... either that or she was not holding them to standards that she presumably set.... if they were similar to when she was asst coach..... defensive sets, any offensive scheme at all.... rebounding position.... shot selection.... perimeter defense etc etc....

I never expected her to be another Pat.... Pat was an icon.... But I did and have expected her to be a solid x's and o's and fundamental coach.... who could marshall the talent Tennessee has had for the last several years.... the result has been embarrassing losses... and even some of the wins have been underwhelming....

I just think of WWGD What would Geno do.... if players were not boxing out... were jacking shots.... weren't assuming defensive posture.... were not showing effort.... etc.... even the things that many think you cannot coach... like shooting free throws and making layups.... (they missed 30 bunnies one game no more than 3 weeks ago)

Don't want to beat a dead horse..... and as a contra fan I hope Holly coaches a lifetime.... but her coaching acumen and ability to command respect is far short of what it should be

 

[Volup1]

You are correct. Holly will still be head coach next year—which is the last year of her current contract. But she is on thin ice to say the least. Barring the loss of any current players or recruits (a big if) next year’s team will include four freshmen, four sophomores, one junior, and two seniors for a total of eleven. It will still be a VERY YOUNG team. With the loss of the three experienced senior leaders, Nared, Dunbar, and Russell, significant improvement next year will be difficult at best. So, yes, I expect that Holly’s performance next year will determine her future as head coach. Her apparent inability to develop an decent offense especially galls me. So, we shall see. . . .

I would like to say that the jokes in this thread made at Rennia (Ruh-Nye’-Uh) Davis’ expense bother me. I realize the jibs were aimed at Holly and Tennessee, but it comes across as doing so at Ms. Davis’ expense. If you read the articles you will realize that she is simply saying: “I hate this feeling and I am going to work my butt off in the off-season to improve my game and come back in the Fall as a stronger, more skilled, and more versatile team player. I hate losing.” What’s not to like about that kind of mindset? She’s a great kid—2017 Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida. Geno would approve. LOL

 

[Plebe]

You are correct. Holly will still be head coach next year—which is the last year of her current contract. But she is on thin ice to say the least. Barring the loss of any current players or recruits (a big if) next year’s team will include four freshmen, four sophomores, one junior, and two seniors for a total of eleven. It will still be a VERY YOUNG team. With the loss of the three experienced senior leaders, Nared, Dunbar, and Russell, significant improvement next year will be difficult at best. So, yes, I expect that Holly’s performance next year will determine her future as head coach. Her apparent inability to develop an decent offense especially galls me. So, we shall see. . . .

I would like to say that the jokes in this thread made at Rennia (Ruh-Nye’-Uh) Davis’ expense bother me. I realize the jibs were aimed at Holly and Tennessee, but it comes across as doing so at Ms. Davis’ expense. If you read the articles you will realize that she is simply saying: “I hate this feeling and I am going to work my butt off in the off-season to improve my game and come back in the Fall as a stronger, more skilled, and more versatile team player. I hate losing.” What’s not to like about that kind of mindset? She’s a great kid—2017 Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida. Geno would approve. LOL

If you're annoyed and feel these are "jokes at Rennia (Ruh-Nye'-Uh) Davis's expense," you are rather sensitive to be in this part of town. Ruh-Nye'-Uh has the right to aspire to, and believe in, a goal of surpassing the second round. We have the right to differ with Ruh-Nye'-Uh.

And what's with the pronunciation guide? Did someone on this site mispronounce her name?

 

[Bayareahusky]

Rennia.... she should by all means "aspire higher" .... and as Margo pointed out... it is good that some players are truly pixxed off.... hopefully for them this is the start of building the achievement ladder for next year.... even though I am not Holly believer, I actually root for the players and their performance

 

[Striper69]

Some say the Heir Apparent. Hope so. He's done such a great job with Russel.

Fire a legacy, hire one more.

They really need a point guard who can get the biggs the ball.