A victory Monday extended Baylor’s quest for the big four oh.
It may have also marked the end of Pat Summitt’s storied career as the Tennessee women’s basketball coach.
The Bears beat Summitt’s Lady Vols 77-58 in an Elite Eight match-up at Des Moines’ Wells Fargo Arena, seizing control after the first media timeout and cruising to their third Final Four appearance in eight years.
Summitt, meanwhile, was seeking her 19th Final Four berth. A crowd of 9,068 greeted her with an ovation as she walked onto the court during warm-ups. The focus now shifts to her future plans.
Summitt, who owns a career record of 1,098-208 and eight NCAA titles, was diagnosed with early onset dementia last year. Her son, Tyler, told The Des Moines Register last week the family plans to sit down in the next few weeks and discuss whether Summitt will continue to coach.
Bears coach Kim Mulkey considers Summitt a mentor, and is establishing herself as potential dynasty-builder for a new generation.
I admit it, I just cried some, genuine tears. I hope it is not true, but Pat Summitt may have coached her last game for the Tennessee Vols Ladies Basketball team. They got beat by Baylor, but I think it was a bit of a bittersweet victory for all. The victory congratulatory hug between Pat and Kim Mulkey was more than that. It could have been a farewell hug. Many of the Baylor players gave Pat an extra hug, I know it got to me. Could have been the end of a legendary career. I hope she returns next year, ladies basketball will never be the same without Pat. She was more than just a coach, she was a Vol, through and through, any sport, men's or woman's, Pat was there to support it. She was Tennessee.
