Pat Summitt has early onset dementia

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Record-setting Tennessee women's basketball Coach Pat Summitt said Tuesday she has been diagnosed with an early onset of dementia.

Summitt, 59, said after last season she "addressed some ongoing concerns regarding my health" that led her to consult doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. They concluded she had the affliction.

"I plan to continue to be your coach," Summitt said in a letter on the University of Tennessee Web site. "Obviously, I realize I may have some limitations with this conditions since there will be some good days and some bad days."

She added she would be relying on her assistant coaches -- Holly Warlick, Dean Lockwood and Mickie DeMoss -- to take on more responsibility.

"I appreciate the complete support of UT Chancellor Dr. Jimmy Cheek and UT Athletics Director Joan Cronan to continue coaching the University of Tennessee as long as the Good Lord is willing," Summitt said.

Summitt will be going into her 38th season coaching the Lady Vols this season. Her 1,071 career victories is the record for either men or women collegiate coaches. Tennessee has won eight nationals championships with Summitt as the coach.