Summitt Era Ends at UT

Pat Summitt on the sideline in the 2008 season

Today marks the end of a 38-year career for Pat Summitt. Early onset dementia has now sidelined the head coach of the Lady Vols after nearly 1,100 career wins – the most of any NCAA basketball coach.

At the start of the season, Summitt told reporters she had no plans to retire.

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to coach for another 25 years. There will come a time when I will say enough is enough.”

The typically fiery Summitt remained subdued and seated most of the season, allowing her assistant of 27 years to assume lead role. Now Holly Warlick will take over officially.

In a written statement Summitt says “coaching is the great passion of my life,” adding that she recognizes “the time has come to move into the future and to step into a new role.”

The 59-year-old will be named head coach emeritus and will remain involved in recruiting and mentoring.

Under Pat Summitt, the Lady Vols won eight national championships and reached the Final Four 18 times. UT Athletic Director Dave Hart called her “an icon who does not view herself in that light,” comparing Summitt’s legacy to UCLA’s John Wooden.