WASHINGTON — Georgetown University's women's basketball head coach Tasha Butts has died after a two-year battle with breast cancer, the university announced Monday.
Butts, 41, died early Monday morning. The university said she was a star basketball player, a nationally-recognized assistant coach, and she was in her first year as head coach at Georgetown.
"I am heartbroken for Tasha's family, friends, players, teammates and colleagues," said Lee Reed, Francis X. Rienzo Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "When I met Tasha, I knew she was a winner on the court, and an incredible person whose drive, passion and determination was second to none. She exhibited these qualities both as a leader and in her fight against breast cancer. This is a difficult time for the entire Georgetown community, and we will come together to honor her memory."
Butts joined Georgetown in April having come from Georgia Tech and had a long coaching and professional career in the WNBA. She was hired at Georgia Tech in 2019 as a women's basketball assistant coach and was promoted to head coach there in 2021. She helped lead Georgia Tech to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia said Butts was "extraordinary."
"Tasha's passing is a devastating loss. She was extraordinary—Tasha was a person of character, determination, vision, and kindness," DeGioia said. "She will be deeply missed by our community and by so many people around the country who have been inspired by her life. We offer her family our most sincere condolences."
Georgetown said Butts announced during the 2021-22 season at Georgia Tech that she was diagnosed with advanced stage metastatic breast cancer, but she still continued to play a significant role in the program while going through treatment.
The university's student newspaper The Hoya reported that Butts took a leave of absence on Sept. 21.
She is survived by her parents Spencer, Sr. and Evelyn, her brother Spencer, Jr. and her nephew Marquis along with an extended family and the women's basketball community.
In the meantime, Georgetown said that Darnell Haney has been named interim head coach for the season.