Pete Gillen stepped down as head coach of the Virginia men's basketball program yesterday, following a 14-15 (4-12 ACC) finish, the team's first losing season since 1998-99.
"The team did not reach the goals we thought were achievable entering the 2004-05 season," Athletics Director Craig Littlepage said in a statement released by the University.
Littlepage and Gillen had been talking about the future of the program for several weeks, Littlepage said yesterday during brief remarks to the media at University Hall. They decided it would be a good time for Gillen and the program to part ways.
Gillen did not attend the briefing, but issued the following statement:
"I have said many times the University of Virginia is a special place and I still feel that way. I appreciate the opportunity given to me as the head coach and feel it is in the best interest of all that I step down at this time ... The University has always been a first-class operation and I wish them all the best."
Littlepage praised Gillen, 57, who compiled a 118-93 record in seven years at Virginia.
"There is not a classier person in the coaching profession anywhere than Pete Gillen," Littlepage said. "He's always handled the coaching responsibilities here at the University of Virginia with professionalism and humility and I sincerely want to thank him publicly and personally for the work that he's done trying to build our program."
Gillen led the Cavaliers to five postseason appearances, including a spot in the 2001 NCAA Tournament. This year, however, Virginia finished below .500, rendering it ineligible for a postseason berth.
After defeating Miami, 66-65, in the opening round of the ACC Tournament Thursday, Virginia's season ended Friday night with a 76-64 loss to eventual champion Duke in the quarterfinals.
After the game, members of the team expressed appreciation for their excitable red-headed leader.
"He's meant a lot to me in my career because he took me in and brought me along," senior Devin Smith said. "Even through all my injuries he supported me and always had confidence that I could produce.He helped me out a lot."
Freshman guard Sean Singletary voiced a similar admiration.
"Coach Gillen taught me a lot about how to play the [point guard] position," he said. "He's coached great guards before and he knows what he's doing."
But Gillen refused to speculate his fate.
"I will just say this ... the University of Virginia deserves better than 14-15 that we gave them this year," he said. "I take the blame for that, not the players."
Under the terms set forth in Gillen's contract, he will receive a buyout of approximately $2 million. He had six years remaining on the 10-year, $9 million deal he signed in 2001.
The search for a new head coach will begin immediately, Littlepage said, and is expected to take 4 to 6 weeks.
"I know that this is an attractive coaching position for a head coach that wants to pursue excellence and win championships," Littlepage said. "We're going to seek to hire the top coach available. I'm confident that we're going to attract a coach that will bring national prominence to our program"
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