Tasha Butts, the coach of Georgetown women’s team, takes a break from her coaching duties to prioritize her ongoing fight against breast cancer.

The school announced on Thursday night that Tasha Butts, the coach of Georgetown women’s basketball team, will be stepping away from her coaching duties to prioritize her health as she continues to fight against breast cancer.

Darnell Haney, the associate head coach, will step in during her absence.

In 2021, Butts received a diagnosis of late-stage breast cancer. This led to the creation of the Tasha Tough campaign, which aims to raise awareness and funds for providing high-quality care to financially disadvantaged women. The campaign supports the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

“I cannot reword”

The 41-year-old Butts was hired as Georgetown’s head coach in April after several years as a college assistant elsewhere, including at Georgia Tech and LSU. She replaced James Howard, whose contract was not renewed after four consecutive losing seasons at the school.

Butts played college basketball at Tennessee from 2000-04 and played professionally in the WNBA and overseas.