Tyler Summitt eases into head coaching career

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Tyler Summitt stares through his wire-rimmed glasses at a recent Louisiana Tech women’s basketball practice, watching with intensity as his players sprint, shift and shout instructions to each other during a drill emphasizing zone defense.

He sees something he doesn’t like and a shrill whistle pierces the air. Then the 24-year-old son of Hall of Famer Pat Summitt gets into a defensive stance and begins his lecture. For associate head coach Mickie DeMoss – who spent two decades as an assistant at Tennessee on Tyler’s mom’s staff – watching it is strange juxtaposition.

The laser-like focus reminds her of Pat. The measured tone in his message does not.

“This is killing us,” Summitt said firmly but quietly. “You’re here and we need you right over here. Don’t sink back. Pay attention to the details. It matters. Does that make sense?”

Summitt is trying to prove what does make sense is Louisiana Tech hiring a 23-year-old to revive a once-proud program.

His family pedigree is unquestioned, but there was some shock that a program with the tradition of Louisiana Tech would hire Pat’s son, who turned 24 in September.

“Seeing (Summitt) on the court has only reaffirmed what we liked about him when we made the hire,” Louisiana Tech athletic director Tommy McClelland said. “It’s really a tough brand of basketball.”

Pat Summitt has been watching from afar.

She attended Tyler’s home-opening victory against Loyola (La.) on Dec. 7 in Ruston, Louisiana, but usually watches Louisiana Tech’s games online.

“Tyler started helping me coach when he was about 5 years old,” Summitt, who won eight national titles with Tennessee, said in an email response through her foundation. “Seriously, the gym is such a natural place for us to be, it just feels like we’ve switched seats.”