October 30, 1986

"I want to announce that I am stepping down as the head basketball coach at Maryland. I will remain at Maryland in the position of assistant athletic director. The university has agreed to honor the financial terms of my contract, which has eight years remaining. I make this announcement with mixed emotions because I have loved every one of my 17 years as head coach at Maryland. But, it is obvious that the administration wants to make a coaching change and I do not want to coach if I am not wanted.

"I am proud of all that the basketball program has accomplished during the last 17 years, both on and off the court. I am very proud of our success in winning basketball games. But I am even prouder of the fine men that have been a part of the Maryland basketball program. As a group, the university could not have better representatives than these student-athletes.

"I will continue to do my best to serve the University of Maryland. I want to wish the very best to the current members of the team and their families. Finally, I want to thank all the friends of the basketball program, the students, and our many loyal fans for their heartwarming support the last 17 years."