( CNN ) -- Pat Summitt , the all-time winningest major college basketball coach , says in an affidavit filed Thursday that she felt forced out as head coach of the Tennessee women 's team after her diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer 's . In April , the coach announced her on-court retirement eight months after revealing her diagnosis . `` I just felt like it was the time to step down , '' Summitt said at her retirement . `` It 's never a good time , but you have to find a time you think is the right time . '' Summitt lauded as she steps down . But according to an affidavit she filed in conjunction with a lawsuit filed by a friend and former colleague against the university and its athletics director , the legendary coach did n't make the decision to step down on her own . In her affidavit , Summitt described a meeting in March with athletic director Dave Hart , in which she said she was told she would no longer be coach after 38 seasons . Summit wrote in her affidavit that she had wanted to make that decision herself . `` This was very surprising to me and very hurtful , '' Summitt wrote in her affidavit . Summitt 's statement also said that Hart met again with her and he `` indicated that I misinterpreted what he said . '' Summitt 's affidavit came in a lawsuit filed by a former media relations director for women 's sports , Debby Jennings . Jennings is suing the school for age and gender discrimination and for retaliation . Jennings said in her lawsuit that she wrote an e-mail to Hart the day after his initial meeting with Summitt , with Jennings saying in the e-mail that she opposed the decision regarding Summitt and considered it discriminatory . POTUS honors Tennessee 's Pat Summitt . Jennings said Hart retaliated against her two months later by giving her the option to resign , retire or be fired . She alleged that even before that , she had many of her work responsibilities taken away and given to younger men . Efforts to reach Hart Thursday night for comment were unsuccessful . Jennings , who had worked at Tennessee for 35 years , retired in May . In her complaint filed in U.S. District Court , Jennings said she was forced out because `` certain members of the athletic department ... wanted to model UT-K 's athletic department as a good 'ol boys club . '' A spokeswoman for the university said she could not comment because the legal case was ongoing . Summitt , who led the Lady Vols to eight national championships and whose 1,098 wins are the most in major-college basketball history , remains involved in mentoring Tennessee players and recruiting as the team 's head coach emeritus through April 2013 . 2011 : Dementia not slowing me down , Summitt says .
Coaching legend filed affidavit as part of a lawsuit by former university employee . Summitt won more than 1,000 games and eight national titles . She has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer 's . She still has role with team as coach emeritus .