Taneyhill Steps Down as Coach At George Mason

George Mason women's basketball coach Debbie Taneyhill resigned Monday, the school announced.

"I have been blessed to spend 16 years in the coaching business in the same place and I am truly grateful to George Mason University for that opportunity," Taneyhill said in a statement released by the school. "I'm proud of the accomplishments our program made during my tenure. Mason will always be a special place to me and I wish them great success in the future."

Taneyhill's association with George Mason goes back 20 years. She was the Patriots' point guard from 1988 to '92 then became an assistant coach, associate coach and finally head coach.

"We are extremely grateful for all her hard work and dedication she provided to the program and the student-athletes," Athletic Director Tom O'Connor said. "We wish her the best in her future endeavors."

Taneyhill became a head coach in 1998 at age 28 when she took over in midseason for Jim Lewis, who resigned to become the Washington Mystics' coach. In her third full season, the Patriots tied the school record for wins, going 21-9 and advancing to the Women's National Invitation Tournament. But George Mason had only three more winning seasons after that one. Taneyhill's record was 144-162.

This past season, the Patriots went 9-21, losing to Northeastern in the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament.

-- Kathy Orton