Georgetown has announced the tragic passing of Tasha Butts, the newly appointed head coach of their women’s basketball team, due to breast cancer. She was 41 years old.
Expressing his grief, athletic director Lee Reed said, “I am heartbroken for Tasha’s family, friends, players, teammates, and colleagues. When I met Tasha, I recognized her as a talented athlete and an exceptional individual who possessed unmatched determination, passion, and drive. She displayed these qualities both on and off the court, fighting against breast cancer. This is a challenging time for the entire Georgetown community, and we will unite to honor her memory.”
Although Butts had been with Georgetown for only six months and hadn’t coached a season with the Hoyas, she had a successful career in women’s basketball. Before joining Georgetown, she spent four years at Georgia Tech as an assistant coach and then head coach. Prior to that, Butts served as an assistant coach at LSU for eight years.
Originally from Georgia, Butts was a standout player at Tennessee from 2000 to 2004. During her time with the Lady Vols, the team lost only 17 games and reached the Sweet 16 in four consecutive seasons. After college, she played in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx before returning to Tennessee as a graduate assistant. She then embarked on a successful coaching career, including a stint as an assistant coach at UCLA, before joining LSU.
In 2021, Butts was diagnosed with advanced stage metastatic breast cancer. Despite her health battle, she continued to play a significant role in the Georgia Tech women’s basketball program. However, she decided to step away from her coaching role at Georgetown in September to prioritize her health.
During the 2023-24 season, Associate Head Coach Darnell Haney will serve as the interim head coach of the Georgetown women’s basketball team.
Butts is survived by her parents, brother, and nephew. She was a beloved member of the women’s basketball community, and both Georgetown University and the Big East Conference are committed to carrying forward her Tasha Tough initiative, which aims to raise awareness about early cancer screenings and detection.
