Feb 8, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; A general view the Pat Summitt Plaza before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and South Carolina Gamecocks. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
When you think of Tennessee Volunteers basketball, the first thing you probably think of is Pat Summitt.
And for good reason.
Summitt is the all-time winningest college basketball coach in history with 1,098 wins. The court at Thompson-Boling arena, where the Volunteers play their home games, is named after he. She won eight national championships at Tennessee.
There’s even a statue of Summitt on campus.
In short, she’s a legend in every sense of the word.
Which is why it’s important for every coach that comes through Tennessee, regardless of sport or gender, to hold Summitt in high regard and take the time to meet her.
That’s exactly what new head UT head men’s basketball coach Donnie Tyndall did recently.
Great meeting @UTCoachTyndall today! Wish him and his staff all the best. #VFL pic.twitter.com/6qnRxNjQVs
— Pat Summitt (@patsummitt) April 28, 2014
If Tyndall can be half the coach Summitt was during her time in Knoxville, then I think the men’s program will be just fine.