Tyler Summitt resigns after admitting to inappropriate relationship
Tyler Summitt resigned from his position as Louisiana Tech’s women’s basketball head coach on Thursday due to an inappropriate relationship with a player.
Lady Vols
Tyler Summitt, son of legendary Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt, has resigned as the head women’s basketball coach at Louisiana Tech for an “inappropriate relationship.”
Louisiana Tech announced on Thursday afternoon that it had received the resignation of Summitt after just two seasons in Ruston. In a statement released by the school, Tech claimed his resignation was for “personal reasons.”
Rumors had been circulating that Summitt had been involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a player. There have also been rumors that these actions may have taken place while he was an assistant coach at Marquette.
“Louisiana Tech will immediately begin the process of selecting a new head coach to lead the women’s basketball program and student-athletes forward,” the school said in an official statement. “Louisiana Tech wishes Tyler and his Family the best of luck in the future.”
Summitt also issued his own statement through the university, where he admitted to an inappropriate relationship.
“I am profoundly disappointed in myself for engaging in a relationship that has negatively affected the people I love, respect and care about the most,” said Summitt.
He went on to thank the university for the opportunity he was given to coach there and said he was stepping down due to the respect he has for the school.
“I am heartbroken that my time has ended in Ruston,” said Summitt.
Summitt has been at Louisiana Tech since the 2014 season and went 30-31 and 19-17 in Conference-USA play in his two seasons as head coach. Before arriving in Ruston, he was an assistant coach at Marquette from 2012-2014.
He was also a student assistant coach under his mother, Pat Summitt, from 2007-2009 at Tennessee before leaving to join the men’s basketball team at Tennessee from 2010-2012.
He married AnDe Ragsdale in 2013 after they both graduated from Tennessee. Summitt is the co-founder and board member of the Pat Summitt Foundation.
At this time, it is unclear what impact this will have on Summitt’s coaching career. There is also no word as to whether there will be an investigation into the claims of inappropriate relationships at either school.
“I am hopeful the media and the public will respect the privacy of my family and I as we deal with this difficult situation I have caused,” Summitt said.
The statements from Louisiana Tech and Summitt can be found here.
Featured image by Danielle Whaley
Edited by Jordan Dajani
Sam Forman is the lead sports staff writer for the Tennessee Journalist and is a senior studying Journalism and Electronic Media with a focus on sports broadcasting and reporting. He has been with TNJN since the fall of 2014. He is also a DJ for WUTK 90.3 fm. and a member of the Rock Solid Sports team. Sam has spent six years marching in the Pride of The Southland Marching Band. When he is not covering or talking sports, you can find him outdoors, playing music or hanging out with friends. You can find him on twitter: @samWforman
