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Mystics Want Lady Vols' Summitt To Be a Consultant

By Kathy Orton
Special to The Washington Post
Thursday, January 10, 2002; Page D01

The Washington Mystics, who recently made an unsuccessful bid to lure Pat Summitt for their head coaching job, are attempting to hire the Tennessee women's basketball coach as a consultant, a source close to the situation said.

"Right now, I'm very, very happy at Tennessee," said Summitt, who has won six NCAA titles in 27 seasons with the Lady Vols. "I will admit I gave [becoming the Mystics' coach] a lot of thought."

Terms of Summitt's contract with the Mystics are being worked out. The NCAA removed restrictions in August that would have prevented Summitt from seeking employment with a professional sports organization while coaching an NCAA team, as long as she had university approval.

"That's something we'd have to sit down and talk about," Tennessee women's athletics director Joan Cronan said.

The Mystics, who finished tied for the WNBA's worst record at 10-22 last season despite having six Olympians and two all-stars on their roster, last week announced the resignations of first-year coach Tom Maher and general manager Melissa McFerrin.

As a consultant, Summitt, 49, would remain as Tennessee's coach but also would offer input to the Mystics on matters such as talent evaluation. The Mystics have two first-round selections in the April 19 draft.

Washington Sports and Entertainment President Susan O'Malley met with Summitt in the fall for several hours to discuss the team's problems. They spoke on the phone numerous times and, in a recent conversation, O'Malley asked Summitt what her interest was in becoming the Mystics' coach.

"It was Abe Pollin's marching orders: Get the best of the best," O'Malley said. "It would not have come down to money."

Summitt told O'Malley the timing is not right for her to leave Knoxville. Her 11-year-old son, Tyler, has started a new school. Her husband is CEO of a local bank. She has brought in four talented freshmen this season, has a team ranked No. 2 and is eyeing a seventh NCAA title. She also recently signed a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $550,000 a year that she is reluctant to break.

"I'm certainly not going to take a pay cut," said Summitt, who added that she would not be interested in a general manager position. "I love D.C. I have been to a couple of Mystics games. They have great fans."

The Mystics hope that by bringing Summitt in as a consultant they would be building the foundation for a long-term relationship with her. Eventually, when she decides it is time to move on to a new challenge, Washington would pursue something more permanent with her.

Summitt, second only to Texas Coach Jody Conradt in career victories with 771, has become one of the most successful coaches -- men or women -- in college basketball. She has coached 11 Olympians and 16 all-Americans -- including current Mystic Chamique Holdsclaw -- and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in October 2000. She has won at least 30 games in seven of her past eight seasons.

Meantime, O'Malley would like to have a coach and general manager in place by the end of the month. She said she has received numerous calls from people interested in the jobs and plans to narrow the list of candidates to no more than five before she begins formal interviews.

Mystics assistant coach Marianne Stanley remains under consideration.

"I'm certainly going to talk to her," O'Malley said.

O'Malley is considering candidates from the college and professional ranks, including the NBA. She indicated that she wants someone who has a proven track record and is a winner.

"I'm not taking any risks," O'Malley said.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company

Printed without permission from the Washington Post website. Read the story along with additional history on this story at the Washington Post website.

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