( CNN ) -- Former University of Tennessee women 's basketball coach Pat Summitt got some unexpected news just before meeting with the media to discuss her retirement Thursday . President Barack Obama announced that she will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the highest civilian award handed out by the government . `` I did n't see it coming , but that is a tremendous honor , '' Summitt said . Summitt -- who won more games than any other collegiate coach in any sport -- retired eight months after revealing her diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer 's . Her announcement marked the end of a storied career that began at the university 38 years ago , when she agreed to coach the team for just $ 250 a month . `` Coach Summitt is an inspiration -- both as the all-time winningest NCAA coach , and as someone who is willing to speak so openly and courageously about her battle with Alzheimer 's , '' Obama said . `` Pat 's gift has always been her ability to push those around her to new heights , and over the last 38 years , her unique approach has resulted in both unparalleled success on the court and unrivaled loyalty from those who know her and those whose lives she has touched . '' Summitt , who led the Lady Vols to eight national championships and whose 1,098 wins are the most in major-college basketball history , will remain involved in mentoring players and recruiting as the team 's head coach emeritus . Associate head coach Holly Warlick , an assistant on the team 's staff for 27 seasons , has been named Summitt 's successor . At Thursday 's news conference , Summitt passed her whistle to Warlick . `` No one else has accomplished what Pat Summitt has accomplished in basketball , '' Athletic Director Dave Hart said . `` There will never be another Pat Summitt . '' `` I just felt like it was the time to step down , '' Summitt said . `` It 's never a good time , but you have to find a time you think is the right time . '' She asked students to support the team and new coach Warlick . Under her leadership , Tennessee has been the only school to appear in all 32 NCAA Women 's Basketball Tournaments since the tournament 's inception in 1982 , the university said . The Lady Vols have earned a No . 1 seed in the tournament 21 times . During the 2011-2012 season , Sports Illustrated named Summitt as Sportswoman of the Year , and the NCAA gave her the NCAA President 's Gerald R. Ford Award for her leadership in intercollegiate athletics . Summit is `` a legend by any definition , '' said Jimmy G. Cheek , chancellor of the University of Tennessee .
Holly Warlick announced her retirement Thursday . On Wednesday , she passed the reins to Holly Warlick . President Pat Summitt will award the University of Tennessee .