Tennessee High girls basketball coach Kim Bright resigned Thursday after a successful eight-year run.

Bright cited a desire to spend more time with her family as the primary reason she was giving up her prestigious coaching position.

"Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be Pat Summitt," said Bright, referring to the women’s basketball coach at the University of Tennessee. "This was a hard decision, and I’ve been real emotional the past two days.

"It’s not that I don’t have the passion to coach. I just feel that my loyalties have to lie with my teaching and family."

Bright, who will continue to serve at THS as a wellness instructor, compiled an overall record of 183-76 with the Vikings. That mark included seven seasons with at least 20 wins along with five Big Nine Conference titles and an average of 22 wins.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself to be successful," Bright said. "Even though we were very successful, I just want to be home and be more successful as a mother

"Being involved as a full-time teacher and full-time coach, and being a full-time mother and wife really puts a strain on my family. I told my [players] that I felt too spread out."

Bright said she looks forward to watching her son participate in sporting events and scouting.

As for the decision to step down, Bright said the choice was hers. It came after a period of prayer and thought, and was the culmination of two years spent considering her future with the Vikings.

"The only pressure that was put on me came from myself," Bright said. "My administration has been nothing but supportive."

As for her future, Bright plans to support the Vikings – although from a different vantage point.

"I’ve been involved in basketball since I played in the first grade, so this will be kind of uncharted territory for me," Bright said. "I really think that God is going to open other doors so that I can help kids.

"It will be difficult not to be with my team, but I wish them the most success."

Bright is happy with her legacy, both in terms of wins and overall interest in the program.

"We won eight games my first year as an assistant, and now we’re averaging 23 wins and the fans are coming," Bright said. "When we came here, our goal was to promote girls basketball and girls athletics.
"I feel like we’ve done that. Now, it’s time to move on and let someone else have the chance for success."

Bright was named Big Nine Coach of the Year four times and Northeast Tennessee Coach of the Year two times.

The search for Bright’s replacement will begin immediately, according to a press release issued Thursday by THS.