Fran Warlick has watched her daughter grow from a child dabbling in the world of sports, to a collegiate athlete, to the coach of one of the greatest women’s basketball teams in the nation.
She watched her play softball, went to her track meets and cheered her on as a Lady Vol, long before Pat Summitt became a legend and women’s basketball was widely recognized. Now, as her daughter’s title has changed to Lady Vol head coach Holly Warlick, Fran Warlick doesn’t quit. Life hasn’t changed for her, she just continues to enjoy life and support her talented little girl.
Fran Warlick works as a hotel clerk. She builds puzzles. She loves playing cards. She cheers for the Lady Vols. At 83 years old, it’s business as usual. She said her kids have told her there’s no need for her to continue working, but she doesn’t like being told what to do. She said sitting at home would drive her up the wall.
“I enjoy people and it gets me out of the house,” Fran Warlick said. “I think everybody ought to work with the public at least a week, they couldn’t take it.”
Her daughter said she felt Fran Warlick has a special gift.
“She seems to have never met a stranger,” Holly Warlick said.
The spunky mother of three hasn’t missed a beat over the year. Her life revolves around staying active, enjoying people and keeping her kids on their toes. Holly Warlick said she thinks there are a few things she’s picked up from her mom, specifically a love for people.
“I think, like her, I try to treat everybody as people and as fair as possible,” Holly Warlick said.
Fran Warlick could talk about Holly Warlick all day. While Fran Warlick said she’s never been the most demonstrative mother, she shows her love and affection for her daughter by cheering her team on.
“We talk every day on the phone and I go to the games,” Fran Warlick said.
But her influence began long ago.
“I used to snap my fingers and give them one of my looks,” Warlick said of her kids. “I’m very disciplined and I say what I mean and I mean what I say.”
Fran Warlick felt this might be one of the reasons her daughter was able to take Pat Summitt’s famous stare.
“I had too much respect for Coach Summitt to do anything to deserve her stare,” Holly Warlick said in response.
While basketball is everything to Holly Warlick, her mother said she tries to avoid the topic of basketball. She said it’s important to her that her daughter have time away from her job and be able to enjoy life outside of basketball.
“She’s heard it all day long so I try to get on something other than basketball,” Fran Warlick said.
While her mother never imagined Holly Warlick would be as successful in her field as she has been, watching her daughter grow up was a path towards where she is today. Fran Warlick said she’s not one to admit it, but she’s proud of her little girl.
“She’s always been in sports and always enjoyed them,” Fran Warlick said. “I have to brag a little bit because she always excelled in them.”
Softball, track and basketball were key to Holly Warlick’s youth, but Fran Warlick said track was the most nerve-racking sport.
“I used to go to some of her track meets and I thought I was gonna chew my fingernails down to the bone.”
But Holly Warlick has interests outside of sports, believe it or not. Pets were always a love of hers, including a cat named “Stray” and a dog named “Bud”. Fran Warlick said her daughter took a woodshop class during her high school days at Bearden High School that continues to influence her free time now.
“She liked doing things with her hands,” Fran Warlick said.
Which is perfect, since basketball relies on hand-eye coordination.
For now, Holly Warlick will continue to coach the Lady Vols and Fran Warlick will continue to support her, and work at the hotel.
