What people are saying about former Lady Vols assistant Mickie DeMoss' retirement

After giving 45 years to women's basketball, former Tennessee Lady Vols assistant coach Mickie DeMoss is retiring.

DeMoss, 66, is best known for her 20 years as Pat Summitt's assistant coach at Tennessee, helping lead the Lady Vols to six national titles and 12 trips to the Final Four. DeMoss was with Tennessee from 1985-2003 and again for Summitt's final seasons from 2010-12.

DeMoss has spent the past three years as Georgia Tech women's basketball's chief of staff, during which the Yellow Jackets made a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.

READ MORE: Former Lady Vols assistant Mickie DeMoss feels difference without Pat Summitt

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“Coaching women’s basketball has been an amazing life journey for me,” DeMoss said in a release. “I have been blessed to have worked with so many amazing coaches, players and talented staffs during my career. The relationships that were formed through my 45 years of coaching are all a piece of who I am today.

“I have been fortunate to have coached in some very special places, travel the world and experience some championships along the way. The most impactful stop in my career was at the University of Tennessee, where I worked beside legendary coach Pat Summitt for 20 years. I will always be grateful for the influence that she had on my life and my career."

DeMoss' career also took her to the professional level. She served as an assistant coach for the Indiana Fever from 2012-13. The Fever, led by Lady Vols great Tamika Catchings, won the WNBA title in 2012.

"What she has been able to accomplish in her lengthy coaching career has been absolutely amazing," Catchings said in a release. "When I think about why she’s been so successful, it’s her recruiting and relationship-building that have been so critical. We’re going to miss her on the bench, but I know the relationships that Coach has built will continue to live on.”

Prior to Tennessee, DeMoss was an assistant coach at Memphis State and Auburn and a head coach at Florida. After she left in 2003, DeMoss was the head coach at Kentucky from 2003-07 and assistant coach at Texas before returning to Knoxville.

After her stint with the Fever, DeMoss returned to the college game, serving as an assistant at Louisiana Tech, LSU and Vanderbilt before her final stop at Georgia Tech under Nell Fortner. Her career and role as an advocate for the game earned a spot in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

DeMoss also played on Louisiana Tech's first women's basketball teams from 1974-77

"One thing that stands out to me is her ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds. That was and still is her super power," Fortner said in a release. "She could relate to kids so well, which enabled her to teach, make her point and get kids to do what they never believed they could do and have fun at the same time. You can look at all the winning numbers, but at the end of the day, her personality and ability to draw out the best in others is unmatched by any other coach I’ve ever been around.”

What players and coaches said about Mickie DeMoss

“Obviously, Mickie DeMoss is a Hall of Famer in every way. She was the first assistant coach to go into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and in my opinion, she has made such a difference in the game. ... If Pat Summitt was here today, she would tell us all that Mickie DeMoss made a difference in her life as a coach and a person. Summitt and DeMoss were the perfect storm at the perfect time, and, wow, did they stir up the weather around women’s basketball.” – Joan Cronan, Tennessee Women's Athletic Director Emeritus

“he has been such an incredible impact in my life. She is a big reason I went to Tennessee. She is so funny, warm and encouraging. She has always been someone who picked up the phone and kept in touch with me throughout the years. I have always felt like she cared about my life and me as a person. Just a genuine, good-hearted mentor, confidant, friend and I consider her family.” – Chamique Holdsclaw, former Lady Vol (1995-99)

“Mickie has always brought energy and knowledge to women’s basketball. She has helped develop and mentor both athletes and coaches throughout her tenure. I just wish I was her Realtor along her illustrious journey!” – Holly Warlick, former Tennessee assistant and head coach

“Just a phenomenal coach and an even better person. She was a great teacher of the game, built great relationships, and women’s basketball was fortunate to have her be a part of it. She was a coach that loved her players. There is no question that women’s basketball is better for her being in the game. In Mickie’s infinite wisdom, she once told me, “You have to have the hosses, Tara.” To which I responded, “Oh, thanks Mickie.” – Tara VanDerveer, Stanford women's basketball coach

Cora Hall: Covering UT women's athletics
Twitter | cora.hall@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Legendary Lady Vols assistant Mickie DeMoss announces retirement