One of the drawbacks of success is that everyone wants a piece…

Over the years, Pat Summitt’s assistant coaches have routinely been courted by others. This year, however, is appears that the Lady Vols are getting raided. First, UCLA came seeking Nikki Caldwell to take over as their head coach. Now, the South Carolina Gamecocks — in the wake of player conduct issues which would make even Nick Saban wince — are talking to Associate Head Coach Holly Warlick.

Warlick played for Summitt from 1976-1980, was a three time All-American, was the first Tennessee athlete (male or female) to have her jersey retired, and has been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Warlick has been on Summit’s staff for an amazing 23 years, most recently being promoted to her current position as second in command after Mickie DeMoss left to take the reins for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2003.

At the time, the loss of DeMoss — who had been with Summitt since the 1980’s — was viewed as a huge loss for the Lady Vols. Some even felt it signaled the end of the Lady Vols era of dominance.

Of course, since that time the Lady Vols had recorded two more national championships…

Warlick, however, is the only member of the Tennessee coaching staff other than Summitt to play a role in all right of the Lady Vols championships. While there can be no question that the Lady Vols are still at the top of the world of women’s basketball, the prospect of potentially filling two coaching vacancies while trying to recruit the next crop of superstars is daunting to say the least. If Warlick were to leave, Pat Summitt would once again have to dig deep into her bag of magic and call on her bevy of talents to maintain the momentum of the program.

Be that as it may, if I were a betting man, I’d take that action…

Either way, I wish the best to Warlick and the Lady Vols, and while I wish Warlick nothing but success, I sincerely hope she stays in Knoxville.

– Go Figure …

Image Courtesy of: UTLadyVols.com

About the Author:  "Lawvol" -- I'm just a guy living in North Carolina who has an unnatural fascination with the color orange. Just because I'm a Tennessee alum and die-hard Volunteer fan doesn't mean that I can't poke a little fun at the Big Orange and anybody else for that matter. Feel free to complain all you want. >> Read more from this author

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