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NEW: Athletics director says school had heard allegations of inappropriate relationship, had meeting with coach
Tyler Summitt was in his early 20s when he became Louisiana Tech's women's coach
Tyler is the son of Pat Summitt, the legendary longtime coach at the University of Tennessee
Tyler Summitt had skyrocketed up the women’s college basketball ladder, becoming head coach of Louisiana Tech University’s team in his early 20s with lots of promise, and cachet from his pedigree as the son of legendary coach Pat Summitt.
Now, the younger Summitt is out of a job and “profoundly disappointed in himself.”
He announced his resignation Thursday, explaining he was doing so “for engaging in a relationship that has negatively affected people I love, respect and care about most.”
Summitt did not elaborate on the nature of that relationship, or with whom it was, but did say he hopes now “to repair” others with people close to him.
“I am heartbroken that my time has ended in Ruston,” he said, referring to Louisiana Tech’s home. “But because of my respect for the institution, it is best that I resign.”
Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland told reporters Friday that the university had begun an investigation into allegations of an improper relationship before Summitt resigned.
“Dr. (Les) Guice and I met with Tyler at 10 a.m. (Thursday) … and at the conclusion of that meeting he offered his resignation, and we accepted,” he said.
The 25-year-old Summitt married Anne Dennis Ragsdale, his high school sweetheart, on June 1, 2013, according to his official bio.
Louisiana Tech issued a statement on the resignation “effective immediately and for personal reasons” of its women’s basketball coach over the past two seasons.
“The university has accepted his resignation and appreciates the contribution he has made to the growth and success of the Lady Techsters program,” the school said.
