Martin, Warlick cement identities Austin Bornheim Assistant Sports Editor After an impressive first year at the helm of the Tennessee basketball program, head coach Cuonzo Martin is focused on improving the team and himself. “As far as our guys are concerned, I like where we are headed as a program, I like what our guys are doing,” said Martin. Last season Martin took a team that was expected to be in the bottom half of the SEC to second place in the conference by year’s end. Tennessee didn’t make it to the NCAA Tournament, but made a run to the second round of the NIT. Expectations are higher this year as the Volunteers are predicted to be in the Big Dance when March rolls around, but Martin is trying to keep things in perspective for his team. “With most ballplayers and competitive ballplayers you understand the task at hand and know what they have to do,” Martin said. “By the looks of things with workouts, they put the work and time into it but there is still plenty of work to be done. I think the biggest key for us is staying healthy and being as one unit, we will be fine." Though Martin has had early success at Tennessee, he admits he is still trying to improve himself. “I think for me as a coach, I don’t stand here going into my fifth year as head coach and say this is who I am,” Martin said. “I think 15 or 20 years down the road I can say this is who I am, but I think you are constantly growing as a coach.” Martin, who spent three years as the coach at Missouri State before coming to Knoxville, is open to adjusting things according to his team’s needs. “I think really we are always looking for different things,” he said, “the best ways for our guys to be successful. Is there a better defense out there that fits this personnel? Is there a different type of
offense to put (us) in the best position. We are always looking for that.” Even if Martin hasn’t discovered who he is, he knows what he wants to base his identity around: hustle. “I think the core of our program will never change. Playing as hard as you can play, be as tough as you can be, trying to go to class everyday, working as hard as you can work. Those things will never change regardless of personnel.” That philosophy of playing as hard as one can resonates with the players. “Practices are tough and he expects a lot from us, but he is also always there for us,” said senior forward Kenny Hall. “We spend a lot of time together as a team and we just feel like a family.” Team cohesion and sense of togetherness is an important aspect of Martin and the program he likes to run. “I think one of the things that we do as a staff and we do a good job, and I have to give my assistant coaches a lot of credit for this, is bringing our guys together,” Martin said. “We like to consider ourselves a family, we take a lot of pride in our guys being together as much as possible, not putting yourselves in vulnerable situations, not compromising your character and integrity and what you believe.” Freshman guard Armani Moore was impressed by the team’s closeness during his recruiting process. “The coaching staff was great and really tried to make me feel at home from the first time we spoke,” Moore said. “All the guys were really great and took the time to go out of their way and speak to me when I visited practice.” Martin is just in his second year, but he is firmly cementing his identity on the Volunteer basketball program and becoming an identity of Tennessee athletics in general. “He’s the face of our program,” said senior forward Jeronne Maymon.
Lauren Kittrell Sports Editor “Holly has it.” Senior Lady Volunteer Kamiko Williams said nothing was lost when first year head coach Holly Warlick took the reigns from Tennessee coaching legend Pat Summitt. Williams said Warlick’s years of experience under Summitt has made the transition a seamless ordeal. “Really I haven’t seen that much of a change,” Williams said. “Holly’s been involved in the program for a long time and a lot of the principles and concepts have been the same.” Warlick played basketball under Summitt from 1976-1980 and worked with Summitt as assistant coach for 27 years. For Warlick, there is no place she’d rather be. “It is personal. It is something I have always wanted to do,” Warlick said. To her fans and friends who question her ability to follow in Summitt’s footsteps, Warlick said the thought never crossed her mind. Warlick said she doesn’t feel any pressure to live up to Summitt’s accomplishments. “I don’t see it as that. I was taught by the best to be put in this position,” Warlkick said. “I think I am prepared. Mistakes along the way? Absolutely. As long as I keep learning from them.” Warlick said Summitt had spent years preparing her for the moment when the head coach emeritus would pass the torch. She said it’s been an honor to sit back and watch Summitt perform, but she’s ready for the task. “I have never said I am scared to do this, I don’t want to do this,” Warlick said. “I love the challenge and I love the opportunity to be here. It is in my blood. It is all I know.” For senior Taber Spani, this is an opportunity to take on a leadership role and show her teammates what it means to support a coach like Warlick. “I really want to be an extension of Holly out on the floor,” Spani said. “I want to do everything I
can to help her be successful and in turn help the team be successful.” As far as coaching differences go, Warlick said her style of coaching might differ slightly from Summitt’s, but that the objectives are the same. She said they both understand the importance of good defense and Summitt’s philosophy is her philosophy. “I don’t have a stare. I’m probably a little more active on the sideline,” Warlick said. “I don’t know if that’s good or bad — I haven’t coached a game yet, but I’m going to do what I think is best for these young ladies and if I see that my game plan isn’t working, then I’m okay to change it and say we have to change directions.” She expects just as much out of her players and herself as Summitt ever did. “As far as Pat, my expectations haven’t changed,” Warlick said. “We’re still going to class, we’re still going to graduate kids. That foundation has not changed. My expectation is that they play 100 percent on the court and I know that was Pat’s as well.” But some things will change. The Lady Vols were issued a preseason rank at No. 20, the lowest ranking the team has had since Warlick first stepped on the court in 1976. “For us, I think it’s low, but it is what it is and we’re not there, but it’s serving as a motivation for us,” Warlick said. “When you lose five starters, you lose the winningest coach in the country, (and) I understand that the expectations for this team will be lowered. But they aren’t lowered for me, they’re not lowered for this program, for these fans. We don’t like being ranked 20th, but it’s preseason and we’re using it as a motivation factor.” Players, fans and coaches all agree that Warlick is the best fit for the job and Warlick said she’s not going anywhere. “I think the country and women’s basketball would be shocked if I didn’t have on orange and white,” Warlick said. “They would think something was wrong with me, sick or something. It is just who I am and what I think I was chosen to do.”