Gale Catlett Retires After 24 Years
Feb 14, 2002
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Gale Catlett, mired in the worst season of his 30-year career, announced his retirement Thursday as West Virginia's basketball coach, one day after blasting his team for its poor performance and lack of pride.
The 61-year-old Catlett said the retirement would be effective at the end of the season, however his assistant and nephew, Drew Catlett, was immediately promoted to bench coach.
"Obviously the pressure of an unsuccessful season weighed upon him, but there was absolutely no pressure from the university," athletic department spokesman Mike Parsons said.
Catlett will "still be involved 'til the end of the season," school spokeswoman Shelly Poe said. However, she could not provide specifics, including whether Catlett would run practices.
Catlett's retirement comes less than a week after he returned to the team after missing two games because of an infection, and a day after the Mountaineers (8-15, 1-10 Big East) lost to Virginia Tech, 78-63.
This season's team has one of the worst records in West Virginia history, and the worst in Catlett's 24-year tenure.
Catlett is West Virginia's winningest coach, compiling a 439-276 record. In 30 years as a college coach, he is 565-320.
The university announced Catlett's retirement through a news release. A spokesman said Catlett was not available and no news conferences were planned. Calls to Catlett's Morgantown home were not immediately returned.
"It's been a great ride for me and my family for the last 24 years," Catlett said in the prepared statement. "I hope everyone in their lifetime has the chance to experience the joy and success that I've had at West Virginia University."
Freshman starter Jonathan Hargett said Drew Catlett told the team at practice Thursday that his uncle was retiring.
"I feel terrible, he recruited me," Hargett said.
He said the other players were "upset, of course."
"He is a good coach, he knew the game from a player and coach's perspective," Hargett said.
Catlett's departure was described as the "end of an era" by university president David Hardesty.
"Gale has been a part of many positive achievements at WVU, first as a player and most recently as the head basketball coach."
At the Coliseum, Catlett's second home for 24 years, student Jason Eary compared the announcement to the recent retirement of football coach Don Nehlen.
"You hate to see him go out when they're down, but nothing lasts forever," said Eary, 21, a junior for Hurricane.
Catlett, a Hedgesville native, returned to his alma mater in 1978 after coaching Cincinnati to a 126-44 record, three NCAA tournaments and an NIT appearance in six years. During the decade prior to his arrival, the Mountaineers were 116-121.
Catlett's teams have won an average of 19 games a season. West Virginia teams have made eight trips to the NCAA tournament, including a 1998 Sweet 16 appearance. His teams also have had eight appearances in the NIT, including a 1981 NIT final four appearance.
Catlett has received numerous honors, including being a finalist for the Associated Press National Coach of the Year, Eastern Basketball Coach of the Year, and Coach of the Year twice in West Virginia and once in Ohio.
He is one of 45 Division I coaches who have posted more than 500 wins.
This season's team has had its share of problems.
After losing to Virginia Tech on Wednesday night, Catlett said he was perplexed by his team's play.
"It was one of poorest performances I have ever had to sit through as coach," he said. "It is obvious that our players did not play with any understanding of basketball.
"It is obvious that our players did not play with spirit and they did not care about what shirt they wore. It is perplexing to me. There is no pride."
Hargett said he did not feel good after Catlett's harsh assessment, "but we didn't play our best ball."
Last month, Catlett announced he would take a short break because of an unspecified medical problem. The announcement came as his team tied the school record for consecutive losses with nine.
At that time, his players said Catlett appeared worn.