Adams: Love of practice, young team keep Summitt spry : govolsxtra.com

The question comes up almost anytime non-local media gather around Lady Vols legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt.

"How much longer will you coach?" she's asked.

It seems as though I've been hearing the question for the last 10 years.

"Before that," Summitt's longtime assistant coach Holly Warlick said.

Summitt became a head coach at such a young age (22), it's as though she and women's basketball started at the same time.

Summitt's longevity is exaggerated by her success. She will win her 1,000th game this season. She will lose a few, too. But all the years, victories and losses aren't reflected in her looks or demeanor.

"Intensity" comes up quickly in any profile of Summitt. "Relaxed" came to mind during the SEC basketball media days in Birmingham two weeks ago.

She also seemed happy. And I don't think Tennessee's back-to-back national championships had anything to do with it.

Working with her players and assistant coaches brings her more joy than all the victories and the eight national championships.

"I'm telling you, I love it," she said.

And she was talking about practice.

"I can't wait to get (to practice)," she told the media gathering. "That's the part of my day I love the most - being on the court."

That wasn't just talk. As soon as her interview session in Birmingham was done, she flew back to Knoxville in time for practice.

Retirement is not even on the radar.

"Do you think you could coach another 10 years?" she was asked.

"That's possible," she said. "I'm not going to pin myself to it (a year)."

"You could win another 300 games then," a reporter said.

"We've got to keep recruiting then," she said with a smile.

She and her staff have never stopped recruiting. Never mind if their preeminence in the sport enables them to pick and choose, they work at recruiting as though they're still trying to make their mark.

For example, take this year's freshman class, which will be on display in tonight's exhibition game at Thompson-Boling Arena. It's chock full of high school All-Americans.

"We've got six true freshmen and a redshirt freshman," Summitt said. "Only four players that saw playing time last year."

And she's happy about it. The new and younger players will energize her more than a set lineup from a defending national champion ever will.

A veteran coaching staff will help, too. Summitt has lost one ex-Lady Vol, Nikki Caldwell, who is the head coach at UCLA, but she has gained another one, Daedra Charles-Furlow.

"Having a veteran staff can take a lot of pressure off a head coach if you're willing to delegate," Summitt said. "A lot of coaches don't want to delegate.

"Holly takes an enormous amount off me. She has a great mind and is really talented. Dean Lockwood, his energy level is just off the charts. And bringing back Daedra - she has stepped right in where Nikki Caldwell left off.

"Some people like to micromanage. I say, 'Go do your thing and give me some feedback.' "

Warlick thinks this year's young team has been great for Summitt.

"She enjoys her staff and her kids," Warlick said. "She still has that fire and desire to coach. And her health is good.

"She has done so much and accomplished a lot of things. But she's not in it for the things she has achieved. She loves the game."

Summitt's happiness isn't all about basketball these days.

"Personally, she was going through a lot of things (the last couple of years)," Warlick said. "Her father passed, her divorce. Those things were distractions.

"Now, I think she is in a good place with herself personally and professionally. She's enjoying spending time with Tyler (Summitt's teenage son) and looking forward to watching him play basketball."

How old that must make most Lady Vols fans feel. They remember when Tyler was born in the midst of a recruiting trip. Soon, he will be going to college.

Tyler grows up before your eyes. The players come and go and come back. But the coach just keeps going, fueled by the influx of younger players and an ongoing passion for the game.

"She said, 'I'll probably have you wheeling me out there in a wheelchair and I'll still be coaching,' " Warlick said.

As immersed as Summitt gets in the game, I would recommend a strong seat belt.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.