“We're Tennessee. It's not like anyone is going to feel sorry for us. We have yet to buy into defense. We have to bring that every possession.” - Coach Summitt
After graduation in 1974 the University of Tennessee offered her an assistant coaching job which Summitt accepted. Then before the season started the head coach quit and Summitt at the age of 22 was named head coach. During this time she was teaching physical education classes, working on her master’s degree, and
rehabbing her knee to play in the 1975 Pan American Games. After one year she was able to join the ’76 Olympic team. A year later she accepted a job coaching the first U.S. Junior National Team and led them to two gold medals (Pat Head Summitt Biography). That year the Lady Volunteers went 22-2 and were
first in AIAW rankings (University of Tennessee Lady Vols Records). Summitt was more than a coach during this time she washed uniforms and drove the players to all the games on a salary of $250 a month. In 1982 the NCAA held the first women's national championship tournament, which Summitt was a part of (Longman, Jerẻ).
Before the 1982 season began, Summitt was named head coach of the upcoming 1984 Olympic team. After winning a silver medal, in the World Championship, the team was searching for gold in Los Angeles the next year. Beating every opponent by double digits they were awarded a gold medal (Pat Head Summitt Biography). That year the Lady Volunteers also did well finishing with a 22-10 record to be third in the NCAA regional. Two years later she led them to the first of eight NCAA Championships. The 1986-1987 team had players such a Bridgette Gordon and Shelia Frost, who now have their jerseys retired at Thompson Bowling Arena (University of Tennessee Lady Vols Records). While they were in the Final Four the press called them, “a bunch of corn fed chicks” referring to where they grew up. Two years later a new group of young athletes would win another national championship ring. In 1989 senior Bridgette Gordon led her team back to the title with 27 points. During the trophy presentation she was awarded Most Valuable Player for the tournament (Balloch, Jim). The Vols ended the decade with two national championships, more than most coaches get in their career.
rehabbing her knee to play in the 1975 Pan American Games. After one year she was able to join the ’76 Olympic team. A year later she accepted a job coaching the first U.S. Junior National Team and led them to two gold medals (Pat Head Summitt Biography). That year the Lady Volunteers went 22-2 and were
first in AIAW rankings (University of Tennessee Lady Vols Records). Summitt was more than a coach during this time she washed uniforms and drove the players to all the games on a salary of $250 a month. In 1982 the NCAA held the first women's national championship tournament, which Summitt was a part of (Longman, Jerẻ).
Before the 1982 season began, Summitt was named head coach of the upcoming 1984 Olympic team. After winning a silver medal, in the World Championship, the team was searching for gold in Los Angeles the next year. Beating every opponent by double digits they were awarded a gold medal (Pat Head Summitt Biography). That year the Lady Volunteers also did well finishing with a 22-10 record to be third in the NCAA regional. Two years later she led them to the first of eight NCAA Championships. The 1986-1987 team had players such a Bridgette Gordon and Shelia Frost, who now have their jerseys retired at Thompson Bowling Arena (University of Tennessee Lady Vols Records). While they were in the Final Four the press called them, “a bunch of corn fed chicks” referring to where they grew up. Two years later a new group of young athletes would win another national championship ring. In 1989 senior Bridgette Gordon led her team back to the title with 27 points. During the trophy presentation she was awarded Most Valuable Player for the tournament (Balloch, Jim). The Vols ended the decade with two national championships, more than most coaches get in their career.
The 1990’s was an eventful time for women’s basketball. The game was changing into what we know it as today and a new opportunity arose for athletes after college, the WNBA. During this time the Lady Vols won four national championships in 1991, 1996, 1997 and 1998. Two of Tennessee’s greatest women’s basketball players graduated at this time, Tamika Catchings and Chamique Holdsclaw. The 1998 team consisting of the two
mentioned above won the national championship for the third consecutive year. Both players were named part of the All-American team that season (Pat Head Summitt). Some college basketball fans consider this 39-0 team one of the best in the history of women's basketball (University of Tennessee Lady Vols Records).
For the next nine years the Lady Vols entered a drought, during this time they appeared at the Final Four five times and could not bring home the gold (University of Tennessee Lady Vols Records). Then during the 2006-2007 season the Lady Vols won once again for Summitt's seventh national title. Led by Candace Parker, Nicky Anosike, and Shannon Bobbitt the team went 34-3. The same group returned to win the 2008 NCAA title, giving Coach Summitt eight (Pat Summitt).
The following year would be rough for Summitt; she had to build the program back up with many underclassmen after a large graduating class the year before. The team got off to a good start and
it became obvious that this would be the year that Summitt reached the top of a mountain she had been climbing since her first win, 1,000 career wins. On January 5, 2009, she reached the pinnacle of Rocky Top with the win over an old foe the Georgia Lady Bulldogs. In front of 16,058 fans they would clobber the
dogs 73-43 (Voepel, Mechelle).
Not only does Summitt push her student-athletes to success on the basketball court, she makes sure they
also succeed in the classroom. Each player must sit in one of the first three rows in each class and pay attention. They are expected to finish all assignments and not skip class. If any of her rules are broken they will not play in the coming games. Pat Summitt has a 100% graduation rate during her tenure, because of these rules (Pat Summitt). Throughout her career Summitt has demanded greatness from all her players which has made her one of the greatest and most respected coaches in all of college sports.
mentioned above won the national championship for the third consecutive year. Both players were named part of the All-American team that season (Pat Head Summitt). Some college basketball fans consider this 39-0 team one of the best in the history of women's basketball (University of Tennessee Lady Vols Records).
For the next nine years the Lady Vols entered a drought, during this time they appeared at the Final Four five times and could not bring home the gold (University of Tennessee Lady Vols Records). Then during the 2006-2007 season the Lady Vols won once again for Summitt's seventh national title. Led by Candace Parker, Nicky Anosike, and Shannon Bobbitt the team went 34-3. The same group returned to win the 2008 NCAA title, giving Coach Summitt eight (Pat Summitt).
The following year would be rough for Summitt; she had to build the program back up with many underclassmen after a large graduating class the year before. The team got off to a good start and
it became obvious that this would be the year that Summitt reached the top of a mountain she had been climbing since her first win, 1,000 career wins. On January 5, 2009, she reached the pinnacle of Rocky Top with the win over an old foe the Georgia Lady Bulldogs. In front of 16,058 fans they would clobber the
dogs 73-43 (Voepel, Mechelle).
Not only does Summitt push her student-athletes to success on the basketball court, she makes sure they
also succeed in the classroom. Each player must sit in one of the first three rows in each class and pay attention. They are expected to finish all assignments and not skip class. If any of her rules are broken they will not play in the coming games. Pat Summitt has a 100% graduation rate during her tenure, because of these rules (Pat Summitt). Throughout her career Summitt has demanded greatness from all her players which has made her one of the greatest and most respected coaches in all of college sports.