Two thoughts came to mind with Pat Summitt’s announcement that her coaching career is over: What a shame … and it’s time. Summitt is one of the best coaches, not just of her sport but of her time. Eight national titles vault you into that category. At the least she must be considered the John Wooden of the women’s game. You didn’t need to be a fan of women’s basketball to appreciate what she accomplished as a coach.
But to continue coaching this far into early onset dementia-Alzheimer’s type would be unfair to her players, assistant coaches and the university. She has done plenty to honor the sport; retiring now is doing so with dignity and honoring it again.
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Women’s basketball is far more popular than when she began coaching. It’s still top heavy — 14 schools have accounted for the past 30 women’s championships, and six champions in the past 18 years have been undefeated.
But minus Summitt the women’s game would not have reached its current heights.
– John Keim
