Washington St. fires basketball coach
Posted: Wednesday March 10, 1999 12:26 AM
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) -- Washington State University head women's
basketball coach Harold Rhodes was fired Tuesday, after producing
only four winning seasons in 17 years.
Athletic Director Rick Dickson told reporters the school would
not renew Rhodes' contract, which was extended for one year after
last season.
Rhodes, who has spent 24 years at WSU as a player, assistant and
head coach, said he told his players of Dickson's decision Monday
night.
"The only disappointment I have is I couldn't do a better job
on the won-loss side," Rhodes said. "Part of my responsibility
was to produce a winner: that didn't happen."
The Cougars had just four winning seasons with Rhodes as head
coach. This year's team finished 11-16 overall and 5-13 in the
Pacific-10 Conference.
Rhodes' overall record at WSU was 194-270. His best season was
1991, when the Cougars posted an 18-10 record and earned an NCAA
tournament berth.
"We determined that we're making a change in leadership,"
Dickson said at an emotional news conference in which he praised
Rhodes' contributions to the women's basketball program. "Harold
will be missed," he said.
Rhodes thanked Dickson and WSU President Sam Smith for their
support of womens' athletics and said the decision not to renew his
contract was "a business decision." He said he hoped there would
be "no backwash" for WSU as a result.
Rhodes said he wants to take some time to decide his future in
coaching. The past season began with the death of his father-in-law
and his mother and was a difficult one for him, Rhodes said.
"A little bit of the burn wasn't there this year," he
admitted. "I want to make sure it is something I want to do. I
need to take a little time to take care of that first."
Rhodes' assistants also were let go, but Dickson promised to
help them seek other employment, Rhodes said.
Dickson said the school would begin an immediate search for a
replacement, whom he hopes to announce during the womens' NCAA
Final Four.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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