Career Timeline of Pat Summitt: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Pat Summitt made an impact.

Pat Summitt was a highly successful American women's college basketball coach. As head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols from 1974-2012, she amassed 1,098 career wins, then the most in college basketball history. Summitt is regarded as one of basketball's greatest coaches.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

December 7, 1974: First Game as Tennessee Coach

On December 7, 1974, Pat Summitt coached her first game for Tennessee against Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. The Lady Vols lost the game 84-83.

1974: Started Coaching at Tennessee

In 1974, Pat Summitt began her career as the head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.

1974: Became Head Coach of Lady Vols

In 1974, at the age of 22, Pat Summitt became the head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols after the previous coach's departure, marking the beginning of her legendary coaching career.

January 10, 1975: First Win as Tennessee Coach

On January 10, 1975, the Lady Vols achieved their first victory under Coach Summitt, defeating Middle Tennessee State with a score of 69-32, marking a significant milestone in her early coaching career.

1975: Pan American Games Gold Medal

In 1975, Summitt was named to the U.S. women's basketball team invited to compete at the Pan American Games. The USA team won the gold medal, beating Brazil convincingly, 74–55.

1976: Co-captained the United States Women's National Basketball Team

In 1976, Summitt co-captained the United States women's national basketball team and won the silver medal at the Summer Olympics.

1976: Earned Master's Degree and won Olympic Silver Medal

In 1976, Summitt earned her master's degree in physical education and training and won a silver medal as the co-captain of the U.S. Women's Olympic basketball team at the Montreal Olympics.

1976: Won Olympic Silver Medal

In 1976, Summitt won a silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Montreal as a member of the United States women's national basketball team, marking an early achievement in her career.

1978: Lady Vols Participate in First AIAW Final Four

In 1978, the Lady Vols participated in their first AIAW Final Four, finishing third, and Summitt recorded her 100th win with a victory over NC State. The Lady Vols also defeated 3-time AIAW champion Delta State by 20 points and earned Tennessee its first number one ranking that same year.

1980: Lady Vols Advanced to AIAW Final Four

During the 1980-81 season, the Lady Vols went 25-6 and made it to the AIAW Final Four for the third straight year, finishing as runner-up after losing to Louisiana Tech. They also avenged their previous championship game loss to Old Dominion by defeating them three times.

1981: Lady Vols Participate in First NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament

The 1981-82 season marked the inaugural NCAA women's basketball tournament, and the Lady Vols were invited as a 2 seed in their region. They upset top-seeded USC in the region championship to advance to the Final Four, where they lost to Louisiana Tech.

1982: Lady Vols in NCAA Tournament

In 1982, Summitt's Lady Vols began their continuous appearance in every NCAA Tournament until her retirement.

1983: Lady Vols Reached NCAA Final Four

In the 1983-84 season, after a shaky start, Summitt rallied her team, finishing 22-10 and making it to the NCAA Final Four for the second time. They reached the title game but lost to USC. Summit earned Coach of the Year honors.

1984: Coached U.S. Women's Team to Olympic Gold Medal

In 1984, Summitt coached the U.S. women's team to an Olympic gold medal, becoming the first U.S. Olympian to both win a basketball medal and coach a medal-winning team.

1984: Coached U.S. Olympic Team to Gold Medal

In 1984, Summitt returned to the Olympics as a head coach, guiding the U.S. women's basketball team to a gold medal, showcasing her coaching abilities on the international stage.

1984: Head Coach at William Jones Cup

In 1984, Summitt was chosen as the head coach of the team representing the USA at the William Jones Cup competition in Taipei, Taiwan. The team won all eight games and the gold medal.

1985: Holly Warlick Hired as Assistant Coach

Summitt completed the 2011–2012 season in a reduced role, with Holly Warlick (an assistant under Summitt since 1985) assuming most of the coaching responsibilities.

1986: Summitt Earned 300th Win

During the 1986-87 regular season, Summitt earned her 300th win with an 87-66 victory over North Carolina.

1987: Lady Vols Won First National Title

In 1986-87, Tennessee defeated Louisiana Tech 67-44 to win the Lady Vols' first national title. Tennessee's Tonya Edwards was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four.

1988: Lady Vols Reached Final Four for Fourth Straight Year

In 1988-89, the Lady Vols reached the Final Four for the fourth straight year. However, Louisiana Tech avenged the previous year's championship game loss with a 9-point victory and went on to win the title.

1989: Lady Vols Won Second National Title

In 1989-90, The Lady Vols won every NCAA tournament game by at least 12 points, taking home its second title in three years with a 76-60 victory against Auburn, finishing the season with 35 wins.

1990: Summitt Accomplished 400th Win

In 1990-91, Summitt accomplished her 400th win, a 70-69 victory over South Carolina on January 25.

1991: Lady Vols Won Third National Title

In 1990-91, the Lady Vols defeated Stanford in the national semifinals and Virginia in the championship game, securing their third national title in five years.

1992: Lady Vols Lost Regional Championship

In 1991-92, the Lady Vols did not make it to the regional championship, falling 75-70 to Western Kentucky.

1993: Summitt Grabbed Her 500th Win

Early in the 1993-94 season, on November 21, Summitt achieved her 500th win with an 80-45 victory over Ohio State.

1995: Lady Vols Won Fourth Title

In 1995-96, with freshman Holdsclaw and senior Michelle M. Marciniak, the Lady Vols won the SEC tournament and made a second straight Final Four trip. They won its fourth title with an 83-65 win over Georgia.

November 23, 1996: Summitt Earned 600th Win

On November 23, 1996, Summitt earned her 600th win with a 15-point victory over Marquette. This was during the 1996-97 season.

1996: National Title

In 1996, Summitt won one of three consecutive national titles, from 1996 to 1998.

1997: Consideration for Men's Team Coaching Position

Before 1997, the University of Tennessee asked Pat Summitt to consider coaching the men's team.

1997: Co-Authored "Raise the Roof"

In 1997-1998, Summitt co-authored "Raise the Roof" with Sally Jenkins, about the Lady Vols' 1997–1998 undefeated and NCAA-championship winning season.

1997: Lady Vols' 39-0 Season

The 1997-98 Lady Vols team had a top-ranked recruiting class led by Chamique Holdsclaw, leading to a 39-0 season and a victory over Louisiana Tech for their third straight national championship.

1998: Co-Authored "Raise the Roof"

In 1997-1998, Summitt co-authored "Raise the Roof" with Sally Jenkins, about the Lady Vols' 1997–1998 undefeated and NCAA-championship winning season.

1998: National Title

In 1998, Summitt won one of three consecutive national titles, from 1996 to 1998.

1998: Holdsclaw Predicted Greatness

In 1998-99, Holdsclaw predicted that the team would be the greatest ever. Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings, and Semeka Randall became the first trio from one team to be named Kodak All-Americans.

2000: 750th Win and 30-Win Season

During the 2000 season, Pat Summitt earned her 750th win in the second game against UConn, with a 92–88 victory. The team also finished with its fourth straight 30-win season.

2000: ESPY Awards: Lady Vols Named Co-Team of the Decade

In 2000, at the ESPY awards, the Lady Vols basketball team was named co-team of the decade, along with the Florida State Seminoles football team. Pat Summitt was also named the Naismith Coach of the Century, and Chamique Holdsclaw was recognized as the Naismith Women's Collegiate Player of the Century.

2001: Consideration for Men's Team Coaching Position

In 2001, the University of Tennessee again asked Pat Summitt to consider coaching the men's team.

2001: Fifth Straight SEC Championship

In the 2001-02 season, the Lady Vols won their fifth straight SEC championship, but fell in the conference tournament to LSU. In the NCAA tournament, Tennessee reached the Final Four, with a 5-point win over Vanderbilt University. This trip to the Final Four marked Summitt's 13th appearance, which broke Coach John Wooden's record of 12, and earned her 788th win, which tied Summitt with Jody Conradt for the winningest coach in women's basketball history. However, the Lady Vols fell in the national semifinals to Connecticut.

2002: 800th Win

During the 2002–03 season, Summitt earned her 800th win, 76–57 over DePaul and was the fastest coach to reach this milestone.

2002: Surpassed John Wooden

In 2002, Summitt surpassed John Wooden as the NCAA coach with the most trips to the Final Four, marking her 13th trip as a coach.

2004: 880th Win, Breaking Dean Smith's Record

In 2004-05, Tennessee won its first tournament title in four years by avenging its earlier loss to LSU with a 67–65 win in the SEC Championship game. In the second round of the NCAA tournament, the Lady Vols defeated Purdue. This victory gave Pat Summitt her 880th win, breaking North Carolina coach Dean Smith's record of 879 wins, and making her the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history.

2006: SEC Title Clinched Against LSU

In 2006-07, in Baton Rouge, the Lady Vols clinched the SEC title against LSU in a game where Candace Parker scored 27.

2007: Defeated UConn for the Third Time in a Row

In the 2006–07 season, Tennessee defeated UConn for the third time in a row.

April 8, 2008: National Championship Victory

On April 8, 2008, Tennessee won its second consecutive national championship (and eighth overall) by beating Stanford 64–48.

2008: 1,000th Win and Naming of "The Summitt"

On February 5, 2009, Summitt's first milestone of the 2008–09 season was a 73–43 win over the Georgia Lady Bulldogs at Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, which marked her 1,000th win. The Thompson–Boling Arena's court was subsequently named "The Summitt" in her honor.

February 5, 2009: 1,000th Win and Naming of "The Summitt"

2009: Lady Vols advance to Sweet 16

In 2009, for the first time since 1982, Summitt's Lady Vols did not advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

2011: Recognition of Summitt's Last Year Coaching

As the 2011–12 season progressed, the team and the fans recognized that it was likely to be Summitt's last year coaching.

April 18, 2012: Resignation as Head Coach

On April 18, 2012, after the Lady Vols lost to Baylor Lady Bears in the Elite Eight in Des Moines, Summitt stepped down as head coach, ending her 38-year coaching career at age 59. Warlick was named Summitt's successor, and Summitt was given the title Head Coach Emeritus.

May 2012: Tyler Summitt Hired as Assistant Coach

In May 2012, Tyler Summitt, Pat Summitt's son, graduated from Tennessee and was hired as an assistant coach by the Marquette University women's team for the 2012-13 season.

2012: Retirement from Coaching

In 2012, Pat Summitt retired from coaching after announcing her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

June 2016: NCAA Division I Championships

As of June 2016, Summitt's eight NCAA Division I championships as a coach are the third-highest total in the history of NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball.