Pat Summitt, legendary Lady Vols coach, steps down from Tennessee women's basketball

Pat Summitt, the legendary coach of Tennessee's Lady Vols women's basketball team, is stepping down after 38 years on the job, eight NCAA titles and more winning college basketball games than any other coach -- man or woman -- in the history of the sport: 1,098.

In 2011, Summitt disclosed her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. She won't be fully retiring -- definitive word will come in a Wednesday (April 18) press release -- but taking on the role of "head coach emeritus." This will allow her to mentor players, but preclude her from actively coaching, according to The Washington Post.

In an interview with The Post's Sally Jenkins, Summitt said the decision to step aside was not difficult.

"It is what it is," Summitt said. "And [successor] Holly [Warlick] has been doing a lot, and we not only have a great friendship, we understand each other. And we can work through this."