Back in September, ThirdAge ran an article on early onset Alzheimer's after the Tennessee Lady Vols famed head coach, Pat Summitt, revealed that she was in the beginning stages of the devastating disease at the age of 59. Now, a mere 8 months later, she is stepping aside. The legend who won more games than anyone else in NCAA college basketball historywill have the title “head coach emeritus.” Longtime assistant Holly Warlick will assume the mantle of head coach.
In a statement issued by the school, Summit said, “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.” According to the Washington Post, she is slated to give a news conference on March 19th standing "on the court named in her honor the night she won her 1,000th game."
The Post article also said that Summitt will report to athletic director Dave Hart in her new role, while assisting the program she guided to eight national titles since taking over in 1974. The paper reported that Hart said, “She is an icon who does not view herself in that light, and her legacy is well-defined and everlasting . . . She is an inspiration to everyone.”
