Other Sports Winningest Coach in NCAA basketball history retires - Page 2

whoman69 · 04-18-2012, 04:12 PM

Summitt steps down as Tennessee coach

Pat Summitt is stepping aside as Tennessee's women's basketball coach and taking the title of ''head coach emeritus'' with long-time assistant Holly Warlick being promoted to replace the sport's winningest coach.

SUMMITT STEPS DOWN
Scout.com caught up with Pat Summitt to discuss her decision after 38 years at the helm.

Tennessee released a statement Wednesday announcing the move.

The 59-year-old Summitt will report to the athletic director and help the women's program she guided to eight national titles. She says she supports Warlick, her assistant for 27 years and a three-time All-American playing for Summitt, as her replacement and wants to ensure the stability of the program.

The move comes less than a year after her diagnosis with early onset dementia-Alzheimer's type.

''I've loved being the head coach at Tennessee for 38 years, but I recognize that the time has come to move into the future and to step into a new role,'' said Summitt.

''I want to help ensure the stability of the program going forward. I would like to emphasize that I fully intend to continue working as head coach emeritus, mentoring and teaching life skills to our players, and I will continue my active role as a spokesperson in the fight against Alzheimer's through the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund.

Summitt revealed her diagnosis on Aug. 23 after a few months of trying coming to terms with dementia, which had caused her problems with memory loss both on and off the court during the previous season. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that destroys cognitive abilities over time.

With the blessing of University of Tennessee, Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, the Hall of Fame coach said she planned to continue coaching as long as possible and that she wanted to show the world that it was still possible to function, even in the face of dementia and Alzheimer's. She had been going about business as usual

But with a need to devote more attention to managing her health, Summitt handed over more duties to her longtime assistants. This season, Warlick as associate head coach took the lead during games and handles postgame interviews, while the entire staff has done the bulk of the recruiting and management of practices.

Even with Warlick and assistant coaches Mickie DeMoss and Dean Lockwood carrying a larger load, Summitt continued to leave her mark through guidance and motivation with her trademark icy stare, even if she did wear the look more infrequently.

Summitt's diagnosis came during one of the Lady Vols' most disappointing stretches - by Summitt's lofty standards, anyway. Tennessee hasn't won a national championship since 2008 and hasn't even reached the Final Four, which ties for their longest such drought in program history.

Tennessee's five seniors were a part of the team that lost in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tournament, the only time in school history the Lady Vols had bowed out on the first weekend.

Those seniors promised they would win a ninth national championship this season not just to change their legacy and to honor Summitt, but as center Vicki Baugh put it, ''We're playing for everyone who has Alzheimer's.''

They just couldn't get back to the Final Four, and the group of seniors wound up the first Lady Vols to miss the Final Four. They lost to eventual champion Baylor and Brittney Griner, a player Summitt couldn't convince to come to Knoxville, in the regional final.

It's unlikely anyone will ever come close to matching Summitt's accomplishments in women's basketball, which has seen more parity in the past decade.

Summitt's career ends with a 1,098-208 record, 16 regular season Southeastern Conference championships and 16 SEC tournament titles. She also led the 1984 Olympic team to a gold medal.

During her time, Tennessee never failed to reach the NCAA tournament, never received a seed lower than No. 5 and reached 18 Final Fours.

Her impact reaches beyond wins and losses. Every Lady Vol player who has completed her eligibility at Tennessee has graduated, and 74 former players, assistants, graduate assistants, team managers and directors of basketball operations are currently among the coaching ranks at every level of basketball.

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebask...-coach-041812/

Pasta Little Brioni · 04-18-2012, 04:42 PM

Kind of like how Baylor has National Champions on thier court. They sure didn't specify women's.

mikey23545 · 04-18-2012, 04:43 PM

What a sad way for such a fantastic career to come to an end.

**Bugeater** · 04-18-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstater

She's got crazy psycho bitch written all over her.

This. I'm uncomfortable just seeing her on TV.

KCUnited · 04-18-2012, 05:01 PM

Les be honest, the woman could coach.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 04-18-2012, 05:23 PM

Pat Summit was a fantastic coach. It's sad to see her career come to and end this way. End of an era and not just for Tennessee imo.

listopencil · 04-18-2012, 08:02 PM

I wish her well.

Valiant · 04-18-2012, 08:14 PM

It is women's sports.. Hell if it were boys HS basketball it would of been more impressive.. Shit, you don't even have to really recruit, there is soo few talent in the womens game most will just flock to the dominant teams...

But I will give her credit, she got the programs started.. She was good at what she did, but it is still womens, basketball.. She should of switched over if she had the chance..

Bambi · 04-18-2012, 09:49 PM

Love Pat Summit. She's been great for basketball.

Will miss her and the passion she brings to the game.

The Dawg · 04-19-2012, 12:34 AM

I think she might actually be a man... but besides that yeah she's done some amazing things.

|Zach| · 04-19-2012, 01:33 AM

Quite a career. Alzheimers is a bitch.

Coconut · 04-19-2012, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zoccer|

Quite a career. Alzheimers is a bitch.

Knowing the peach you are, I knew you would have something nice to say about women's college basketball.

**Bugeater** · 04-19-2012, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coconut

Knowing the peach you are, I knew you would have something nice to say about women's college basketball.

Not sure why you're afraid to attack Zach with your real account, everyone else does.

|Zach| · 04-19-2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Not sure why you're afraid to attack Zach with your real account, everyone else does.

Haha.

This.

This actually has more the makings of an old school OM troll who has been obsessed with me literally for years. Its like...way beyond normal message board stuff. Dude has personal problems.

04-18-2012, 04:12 PM
whoman69 The Master Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Marion, IA Casino cash: $10004925	Winningest Coach in NCAA basketball history retires Summitt steps down as Tennessee coach Pat Summitt is stepping aside as Tennessee's women's basketball coach and taking the title of ''head coach emeritus'' with long-time assistant Holly Warlick being promoted to replace the sport's winningest coach. SUMMITT STEPS DOWN Scout.com caught up with Pat Summitt to discuss her decision after 38 years at the helm. Tennessee released a statement Wednesday announcing the move. The 59-year-old Summitt will report to the athletic director and help the women's program she guided to eight national titles. She says she supports Warlick, her assistant for 27 years and a three-time All-American playing for Summitt, as her replacement and wants to ensure the stability of the program. The move comes less than a year after her diagnosis with early onset dementia-Alzheimer's type. ''I've loved being the head coach at Tennessee for 38 years, but I recognize that the time has come to move into the future and to step into a new role,'' said Summitt. ''I want to help ensure the stability of the program going forward. I would like to emphasize that I fully intend to continue working as head coach emeritus, mentoring and teaching life skills to our players, and I will continue my active role as a spokesperson in the fight against Alzheimer's through the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund. Summitt revealed her diagnosis on Aug. 23 after a few months of trying coming to terms with dementia, which had caused her problems with memory loss both on and off the court during the previous season. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that destroys cognitive abilities over time. With the blessing of University of Tennessee, Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, the Hall of Fame coach said she planned to continue coaching as long as possible and that she wanted to show the world that it was still possible to function, even in the face of dementia and Alzheimer's. She had been going about business as usual But with a need to devote more attention to managing her health, Summitt handed over more duties to her longtime assistants. This season, Warlick as associate head coach took the lead during games and handles postgame interviews, while the entire staff has done the bulk of the recruiting and management of practices. Even with Warlick and assistant coaches Mickie DeMoss and Dean Lockwood carrying a larger load, Summitt continued to leave her mark through guidance and motivation with her trademark icy stare, even if she did wear the look more infrequently. Summitt's diagnosis came during one of the Lady Vols' most disappointing stretches - by Summitt's lofty standards, anyway. Tennessee hasn't won a national championship since 2008 and hasn't even reached the Final Four, which ties for their longest such drought in program history. Tennessee's five seniors were a part of the team that lost in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tournament, the only time in school history the Lady Vols had bowed out on the first weekend. Those seniors promised they would win a ninth national championship this season not just to change their legacy and to honor Summitt, but as center Vicki Baugh put it, ''We're playing for everyone who has Alzheimer's.'' They just couldn't get back to the Final Four, and the group of seniors wound up the first Lady Vols to miss the Final Four. They lost to eventual champion Baylor and Brittney Griner, a player Summitt couldn't convince to come to Knoxville, in the regional final. It's unlikely anyone will ever come close to matching Summitt's accomplishments in women's basketball, which has seen more parity in the past decade. Summitt's career ends with a 1,098-208 record, 16 regular season Southeastern Conference championships and 16 SEC tournament titles. She also led the 1984 Olympic team to a gold medal. During her time, Tennessee never failed to reach the NCAA tournament, never received a seed lower than No. 5 and reached 18 Final Fours. Her impact reaches beyond wins and losses. Every Lady Vol player who has completed her eligibility at Tennessee has graduated, and 74 former players, assistants, graduate assistants, team managers and directors of basketball operations are currently among the coaching ranks at every level of basketball. http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebask...-coach-041812/
Posts: 23,101

04-18-2012, 04:42 PM	#16
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $388880	Kind of like how Baylor has National Champions on thier court. They sure didn't specify women's.
Posts: 72,920

04-18-2012, 04:43 PM	#17
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	What a sad way for such a fantastic career to come to an end.
Posts: 12,314

04-18-2012, 05:01 PM	#19
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1401756	Les be honest, the woman could coach.
Posts: 36,846

04-18-2012, 05:23 PM	#20
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Pat Summit was a fantastic coach. It's sad to see her career come to and end this way. End of an era and not just for Tennessee imo. __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell
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04-18-2012, 08:02 PM	#21
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $-844120	I wish her well. __________________ *While you live, shine. Have no grief at all. Life exists only for a short while and time demands its toll.*
Posts: 56,787

04-18-2012, 08:14 PM	#22
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $4572380	It is women's sports.. Hell if it were boys HS basketball it would of been more impressive.. Shit, you don't even have to really recruit, there is soo few talent in the womens game most will just flock to the dominant teams... But I will give her credit, she got the programs started.. She was good at what she did, but it is still womens, basketball.. She should of switched over if she had the chance..
Posts: 18,550

04-18-2012, 09:49 PM	#23
Bambi Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New York City Casino cash: $10036993	Love Pat Summit. She's been great for basketball. Will miss her and the passion she brings to the game.
Posts: 17,810

04-19-2012, 12:34 AM	#24
The Dawg Mooooo........... Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Park Casino cash: $10004900	I think she might actually be a man... but besides that yeah she's done some amazing things.
Posts: 771

04-19-2012, 01:33 AM	#25
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $3186768	Quite a career. Alzheimers is a bitch.
Posts: 54,688