Remembering Warren: ‘He gave so much’

The football field at Sam Coopwood Park in Holly Springs will be named in honor of the late Danny Warren.

Warren, who passed away October 17, 2020, at 52, served as assistant football coach at Holly Springs High School and as a coach and sponsor of the Holly Springs Wildcats traveling baseball team.

Michael Perkins, who asked the Holly Springs board of aldermen to honor Warren with the designation, said Warren served 25 years at the school and dedicated his life to the children in the city.

He said Warren worked with the children to make sure they stay on the right side.

“What was so special is after his mom passed away, sports saved him,” Perkins said. “It kept him out of trouble and motivated him to go to college.

This is the best of the best.” Alderman Colter Teel said he never coached against Warren in the city youth league because Teel was coaching girls and Warren boys.

“He lived the sport, but he loved those kids,” Teel said.

Ward 1 alderman Bernita Fountain asked what the city would be responsible for.

Board attorney John Perry said the city would pay for any signage at the field. Mayor Sharon Gipson added the city is already responsible for maintenance at the park. Warren’s name could be added to the scoreboard.

Perkins suggested the city could consider installing an arch at the gate of the field with a plaque so players, when they come out of the locker room, will pass under the arch onto the field.

“I would want it to look nice, including the locker room and guest house,” Gipson said. “It goes back to doing the best within the budget that we have.”

Perkins said Warren worked the night shift (at J. Strickland of Olive Branch) in order to work with the players.

Warren was a volunteer assistant football coach at Holly High for 25 years and also helped organize the city league and coach several youth baseball teams in the city.

“He had a passion for kids and he did what he did out of a heart of love,” said Warren’s wife Vicki.

The couple are the parents of Deonka, a daughter, and Danrich, a son, who is now head coach of the Wildcats. The Warrens have six grandchildren.

Perkins said Warren made sure children did not have to go home without a meal.

Irene Turnage, superintendent of education for the Holly Springs School District, said she applauds the city for naming the football field at Sam Coopwood Park in honor of Warren. Holly High plays its home games at the park.

“Mr. Warren gave so much of his life, time and energy to do life-changing work with students through football,” Turnage said. “In the process, he also mentored and worked with others, including, but not limited to, football coaches, staff members and members of the community.

“Because he gave so much and asked for so little in return, I believe it is only fitting that his life work be recognized and highlighted every time someone attends or writes something about the football field, allowing his impact to continue to inspire generations to come through football.”