Breaking: Tyler Summitt, son of former Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Pat Summitt, will debut “The Underdog” on Netflix on June 12 worldwide. The film tells an inspiring story of redemption.

Netflix is set to premiere a stirring and deeply personal documentary titled The Underdog on June 12, showcasing the tumultuous journey and redemptive arc of Tyler Summitt — the son of legendary Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt. Once a promising coach himself, Tyler’s career was derailed by personal mistakes that made national headlines. Now, years later, he steps back into the public eye with a story he hopes will inspire, heal, and humanize.

The film, produced by Boardwalk Pictures in partnership with Tyler himself, blends raw confession, behind-the-scenes footage, and intimate interviews with those who have walked alongside him in the shadows and through the spotlight.

Tyler Summitt’s last name was synonymous with greatness in women’s basketball before he ever stepped on a court. His mother, Pat Summitt, revolutionized the sport, becoming the winningest coach in NCAA Division I basketball history at the time of her retirement. Her legacy was cemented not just in victories, but in character, resilience, and advocacy for women athletes.

From a young age, Tyler was groomed to understand the nuances of coaching, discipline, and leadership. He played under his mother’s watchful eye, soaking in her wisdom. After playing college basketball at the University of Tennessee and serving as a student assistant, he appeared destined to carry the family torch. By the age of 23, he became the youngest Division I head coach in the country when he took the reins of the Louisiana Tech women’s basketball program.

Yet, the rapid ascent was followed by a swift and humbling fall.

In April 2016, Tyler Summitt abruptly resigned from Louisiana Tech amid reports of an inappropriate relationship with one of his players. The news stunned the basketball community. For many, it was inconceivable that the son of Pat Summitt — known for her iron integrity — could find himself embroiled in scandal.

In a brief statement at the time, Tyler admitted to “engaging in a relationship that has negatively affected the people I love, respect and care about the most.” He vanished from the public eye soon afterward, becoming a pariah in coaching circles. His promising career was over. The whispers grew loud. The shame, crushing.

In The Underdog, Tyler addresses the scandal head-on. It is not a film about denial or self-pity, but one of reckoning.

“I didn’t just disappoint my family,” he says in the film’s emotional trailer. “I destroyed my future. But I couldn’t live the rest of my life hiding behind that one moment.”

Over the next several years, Tyler stepped away from basketball completely. He divorced, remarried the player with whom he had the relationship, and focused on rebuilding his life. He worked as a motivational speaker, a private coach, and even took jobs outside the basketball world. His public appearances were minimal. His connection to the Summitt name became more of a burden than a badge of honor.

Those who remained close to him describe a man tormented by regret but unwilling to wallow in it.

“He made a massive mistake,” says one of his former colleagues, featured in the film. “But Tyler wasn’t trying to excuse it — he was trying to own it, learn from it, and maybe one day do something good with the pain.”

The Underdog is the culmination of that process. It’s part confessional, part tribute to his mother, and part message to anyone who’s ever felt crushed under the weight of their worst decision.

The film is also a love letter to Pat Summitt, who passed away in 2016 after a battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Her voice, teachings, and legacy are woven throughout The Underdog. Through home videos and heartfelt anecdotes, viewers are reminded of the towering figure she was — and the impossible standard her son felt pressured to meet.

“She wasn’t just my mom,” Tyler says in the film. “She was a giant. Living up to her was like trying to outshine the sun.”

Though the timing of Tyler’s scandal roughly coincided with Pat’s final decline, he has often spoken about how her influence — and her forgiveness — remained with him.

“She taught me accountability,” he notes. “So I’m not here to rewrite history. I’m here because I want to live better than I did.”

Netflix’s decision to greenlight the documentary surprised some within the industry. Tyler Summitt, after all, is not a household name in the same way as his mother. But the streamer saw in the story a universal theme: failure, shame, growth, and hope.

In an era increasingly focused on cancel culture and public takedowns, The Underdog dares to ask: can people genuinely change? Can they earn back trust, dignity, and purpose?

“Redemption isn’t about the court of public opinion,” says executive producer Andrew Fried. “It’s about what you do when no one’s watching, and Tyler’s story is filled with quiet, unglamorous steps toward healing.”

Netflix has positioned The Underdog as part of its growing library of sports-centric human interest documentaries, following successful titles like Untold, The Redeem Team, and Quarterback. Early reviews from private screenings describe it as “raw,” “honest,” and “surprisingly uplifting.”

Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Chapman Way, who previously co-directed Wild Wild Country and Untold: Breaking Point, The Underdog was filmed over two years and spans multiple states and locations. The production includes interviews with family members, former teammates, faith leaders, and mental health professionals.

Also included are testimonials from others who have experienced public disgrace and found ways to move forward. These voices, paired with Tyler’s narrative, reinforce the broader message: the worst thing you’ve done doesn’t have to define your entire life.

The documentary doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable questions. One segment explores the issue of power dynamics in coach-player relationships. Another addresses the backlash Tyler’s wife faced. It’s not a glossy PR piece — it’s a gritty exploration of what happens when your dream shatters, and all you have left is who you choose to become.

Today, Tyler lives a quieter life, far removed from the glare of college athletics. He still coaches — but it’s private, small-scale work with youth athletes and faith-based groups. His approach is less about wins and more about life lessons. Those who’ve worked with him say he’s authentic, humble, and present in a way that only someone who’s been to rock bottom can be.

“There’s a difference between coaching to prove something and coaching to serve,” he says in the film. “I used to want the world to know my name. Now I just want the kids I work with to know I believe in them.”

With its June 12 global release, The Underdog is likely to spark conversation. Some viewers may view it as a comeback story. Others may question whether someone like Tyler Summitt deserves a second act in the public eye. And that’s precisely what the documentary invites viewers to wrestle with.

“We’re not telling people how to feel,” director Chapman Way said at a private screening in Los Angeles. “We’re just asking them to listen. Everyone has an ‘underdog’ story inside them. Tyler’s just happens to be very public.”

The film also arrives at a time when American culture is increasingly debating the nature of forgiveness — especially for public figures. Is there a statute of limitations on scandal? Can someone who caused pain also be a force for good? The Underdog doesn’t provide easy answers. Instead, it provides a lens through which to examine our own instincts toward judgment, empathy, and growth.

Tyler has been clear that The Underdog is not a launchpad for a return to high-level coaching.

“I’m not looking for another shot in college basketball,” he said in a recent interview. “That chapter is closed. I’m trying to live the rest of my life in a way that honors my mom, my family, and the lessons I’ve learned.”

That includes working with mental health and accountability nonprofits, mentoring other young coaches, and continuing to share his story in settings where he believes it can do the most good.

His ultimate hope? That The Underdog will inspire others who’ve made mistakes to not give up on themselves — and will encourage a culture that allows for grace without erasing accountability.

The Underdog is more than just a sports documentary. It’s a human one. It asks tough questions, explores deep wounds, and charts a path forward that doesn’t rely on perfection — only progress.

As June 12 approaches, the world will get a front-row seat to a story that began in scandal but refuses to end there. Tyler Summitt may never escape the shadow of his last name, but with The Underdog, he’s reclaiming his own.