Sports

Pat Summitt's Family Is Reportedly 'Preparing For The Worst'

The legendary University of Tennessee coach stepped down as the Volunteers' head coach after being diagnosed with dementia.

Pat Summitt's Family Is Reportedly 'Preparing For The Worst'
Getty Images / Al Messerschmidt
SMS

Former University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt is reportedly "struggling" as it appears the legendary coach's health may be deteriorating. 

Family members of the 64-year-old former coach told the Knoxville News Sentinel, "I don't think anybody knows whether she will last a day, a month, or a year."

Summitt, the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, left basketball in March 2012, just a few months after being diagnosed with early onset dementia.

"It was hard because I didn't want to, but I felt like I needed to step down," Summitt told ABC

Since news about Summitt's condition broke, social media has been abuzz with the #PrayforPat in honor of the Volunteers coach. 

Summitt holds a 1,098-208 record over her 38-year coaching career, all as coach of Tennessee. 

"Candace Parker, you better deny the middle of the floor every time," Summitt said during a halftime speech at the 2007 Final Four against North Carolina.

She's also collected eight NCAA titles over her career — the second most in NCAA women's basketball history. 

In April 2012, she was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

The Knoxville News Sentinel's report says as of Sunday morning, Summitt hadn't been moved from the retirement community where she lives, but family is "preparing for the worst." 

This video includes clips from CBS, the University of Tennessee and images from Getty Images.