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Tyler Summitt, son of Hall of Fame Women’s coach Pat Summitt, just stepped down from his Louisiana Tech women’s basketball coaching position after he reportedly had an inappropriate relationship with one of his players.
In a statement released by the school Thursday, Summitt said:
It is with great regret that I resign from my position as head coach of the women’s basketball program at Louisiana Tech University. 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. My hope, plans and prayers are to repair those relationships. I am appreciative of the opportunity I was given to coach at Louisiana Tech. I am heartbroken that my time has ended in Ruston, but because of my respect for the institution, it is best that I resign. I am hopeful the media and the public will respect the privacy of my family and me as we deal with this difficult situation I have caused.
#LATech has announced the resignation of Tyler Summitt for "personal reasons." pic.twitter.com/nb730O5Gmc
— Jonathan Ford (@theJFord) April 7, 2016
SB Nation‘s WNBA blog Swish Appeal reported that Tyler impregnated the player. Rumors have circulated online and Brooke Pumroy, the team’s guard, is said to be the woman Summitt had the affair with. While it has yet to be confirmed, some facts definitely look a bit fishy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmDbCYaTlJ8
The 22-year-old blonde began her college career at Marquette for the 2012-13 season, where Summitt worked as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team. She then transferred after her sophomore year to Louisiana Tech, the same year Summitt got the head coach position.
Originally from Fairborn, Ohio, Pumroy played in 28 games during the 2015-16 season, making 26 starts. Her 12.2 points per game were second on the team, as were her 71 assists and 35 steals.
Update 4/11/16 — In an interview with USA Today, players and their families described a team separation because of how Summitt treated his point guard Brooke Pumroy. While the identity of the student he allegedly had an affair with still has yet to be confirmed, things definitely aren’t looking good for Miss Pumroy.
“[Brooke] presented to the coaches that some of the girls had confided in her that if things didn’t start to change, or some things weren’t addressed, they were not returning,’’Jose Santos told USA TODAY Sports. “They didn’t like the environment at all and they talked about leaving and that’s a fact. I know for sure that Ashley was told there would be adjustments made and it never happened.’’
Ashley Santos was the other player media outlets insisted Summitt had an affair with. To squash rumors, the basketball player posted a midriff-bearing photo to prove she wasn’t the one coach impregnated.
Rumors Squashed. Don't talk about what you don't know. #notprego #LetsMoveOn #LadyTechsterTerritory pic.twitter.com/fEmApjEr8v
— Ashley Santos (@ASantos_33) April 8, 2016
As for Pumroy’s involvement in the scandal, the team seems pretty convinced her and Summitt were having inappropriate relations.
“We just felt that at the very least there was some basketball favoritism going on,” Jose Santos said. “If you know basketball, you could just see it… (Pumroy) was doing whatever she wanted to do. She played without any fear of consequence.”
Mother of junior forward Kevione Moten continued:
“She could mess up a million times and (Summitt) wouldn’t take her out,” Risha Moten said. “There were so many things where Brooke could do anything she wanted to do and still stay on the court. Brooke, she had the green light on everything.”
