Legendary former Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt’s health is reportedly deteriorating.
The longtime coach is “struggling,” according to the Knoxville News Sentinel, and those close to her are “preparing for the worst.”
“I don’t think anybody knows whether she will last a day, a month, or a year,” a source close to the situation told the paper.
“The past few days have been difficult for Pat as her early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s Type progresses,” the Summitt family said in a statement. “She is surrounded by those who mean the most to her and during this time, we ask for prayers for Pat and her family and friends, as well as your utmost respect and privacy. Thank you.”
The 64-year-old Summitt is the all-time Division I leader in coaching wins among both men and women with 1,098. She guided the Lady Vols to 18 NCAA Final Fours and eight championships before retiring in 2012 due to her early onset dementia. The respect for her in the coaching ranks was and still is obvious.
