Pat Summitt Retires As Tennessee Women’s Basketball Coach, Named ‘Head Coach Emeritus’

Tennessee Lady Vols head basketball coach Pat Summitt announced on Wednesday that she will be retiring after nearly four decades with the team. In her 38 years at Tennessee, Summitt amassed eight NCAA titles and more wins than any other head coach in college basketball history.

David Jackson of USA Today reports that Summit will be awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest honor that a United States civilian can receive. The White House announced on Wednesday that President Obama will present the award to the legendary coach.

The university released a statement Wednesday officially announcing Summitt’s retirement and naming Warlick as her successor. In the statement, Summitt expressed her full support for Warlick, as well as her continued passion for her players and the game.

In turn, Warlick gave gratitude to Summitt, and thanked the university for the opportunity to lead one of women’s basketball’s most storied programs.

The university is expected to release a statement officially announcing Summitt’s retirement sometime Wednesday afternoon after she has met with her players in Knoxville. A press conference is expected for Thursday.

Summitt won 1,098 games in her career, more than any coach ever in college basketball, man or woman. She also won eight NCAA titles in her 38-year stint leading Tennessee, including consecutive titles in the 1996, 1997 and 1998 Women’s NCAA Tournaments.

Thirty-six seasons coached without a losing record. Eight NCAA national championships. More wins than any other coach in NCAA basketball history, men’s or women’s. To achieve these milestones, one must display perseverance, courage, and drive.

Which is why it comes as no surprise that, when faced with the diagnosis of early-onset dementia - a condition that will, over time, result in profound, debilitating cognitive impairment - Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Pat Summitt has chosen to put her trademark determination on display and continue to coach her Lady Volunteers.

In a video statement provided to GoVolsXtra, she described the basics of her situation and what it means for the university:

A transcript of Summitt’s statement:

Tennessee women’s basketball Pat Summitt has been diagnosed with dementia, but will try to coach this season. The CBSSports.com report says an official announcement is expected to come on Tuesday.

Summitt, 59, is one of the most successful basketball coaches in history, with a 1,071-199 record, eight NCAA championships and two Olympic gold medals (one as a coach and one as a player). No coach at any college level -- men’s or women’s -- has more wins. She has been a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame since 2000 and has been named NCAA coach of the year seven times.