We Back Pat!

This is sad news: Pat Summitt is stepping down from head coach at Tennessee. Pat Summitt set the tone for women’s top-level basketball, and we’ll miss her presence and hope and pray for her in the tough days ahead.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — 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.

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.