Tasha Butts Darrell Walker/Icon Sportswire

Georgetown women’s basketball coach Tasha Butts died following a battle with cancer.

Butts was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer in 2021. She stepped away from coaching last month, and Georgetown shared the news on Monday that Butts has died. She was 41.

“I am heartbroken for Tasha’s family, friends, players, teammates and colleagues,” Georgetown athletic director Lee Reed said. “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 was hired as the head coach at Georgetown in April. She was an assistant coach for several programs before that, most recently Georgia Tech from 2019-2023. Butts also worked at LSU, UCLA and Duquesne.

Butts played at Tennessee from 2000-2004 under the late Pat Summitt. She was part of four regular-season SEC championship teams with the Vols and helped lead them to the national title game in 2003 and 2004.

Following her successful career at Tennessee, Butts was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx. She played for three different WNBA teams from 2004-2006.

Georgetown named assistant Darnell Haney interim head coach last month when Butts stepped away.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Former NFL player has major warning for Steelers QB Justin Fields: 'You can't fall into this'
Watch: Brad Marchand hurdle Panthers player on Charlie Coyle goal
Pressure mounts on Nuggets as Nikola Jokic wins third MVP Award
Pirates announce date for 2023 No. 1 overall pick's MLB debut
LeBron James rues 'missed opportunities' against Nuggets
Cardinals star gives update on timeline for injury rehab
Police investigating Patrick Beverley incident
J.J. Watt addresses possibly ending retirement to play for Texans
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi could surpass two major MLS records
Reporter weighs in on potential Giants quarterback controversy
Cowboys to release veteran WR
Lakers want Anthony Davis' opinion in search for next head coach
Patriots exec explains why team drafted two QBs in 2024 NFL Draft
Borussia Dortmund legend 'considering' move to MLS
NHL announces Ted Lindsay Award finalists
Mavericks' Luka Doncic lists Thunder swingman among best perimeter defenders in NBA
Cowboys reportedly meeting with recently released veteran WR
Joe Burrow shares 'support' for Bengals who requested trades
Dodgers star latest victim of announcers jinx
Mike Conley discusses what makes Anthony Edwards so special

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.