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Monday, April 30
Updated: May 2, 10:43 PM ET
AD Moos says he didn't force Runge out
Associated Press
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EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon women's basketball coach Jody Runge
resigned Monday, ending weeks of turmoil that began with some
players asking for her removal and continuing with an investigation
by an outside law firm.
"The events of the last six weeks have led me to the conclusion
that it is in the best interests of the program to resign at this
time," Runge said in a statement released by the university. "I
regret I will not be able to coach the fine group of women who will
enter our program this fall. I want to express my heartfelt
appreciation to the community, and I wish the team well next
season."
Athletic director Bill Moos said he did not ask for Runge's
resignation.
"It's been a long, tedious time for all of us. Jody felt it was
in her best interest to go," he said at a news conference.
Runge, 38, led the Ducks to a 160-73 record in eight seasons,
including eight straight NCAA tournament appearances. Her winning
percentage of .687 is the best of any basketball coach in school
history, man or woman. The Ducks won the Pac-10 title outright in
1998-99, and shared it in 1999-00.
But the coach's intense style and criticism of her players -- in
private and in public -- led to personality conflicts.
A group of eight players met with Moos on March 4, although it
was unclear whether the meeting was requested by players or if it
was called by athletic department officials, who also have feuded
with Runge.
The next day, Moos said the players showed courage in coming
forward.
"I felt for them, because this should be a wonderful
experience, and most people would believe that it is, and even
though I was aware to some degree of some of the concerns they had,
it was eye-opening to me to hear of some of these things," Moos
said.
After Oregon was knocked out of the NCAA tournament by Iowa,
Moos hired a Kansas City law firm -- Bond, Schoeneck & King -- to
review the situation.
Lawyers from the firm interviewed players, coaches and athletic
department officials, and the firm's 30-plus-page report was
submitted last Wednesday to Moos, Runge and her attorney, John
Roberts.
The university said the report would not be made available to
the public.
Runge, who had two years left on the contract that paid her
about $140,000 in base salary per year, agreed to a buyout
settlement in exchange for not filing a lawsuit against the
university. Runge has tried to sue the school at least twice over
pay and other issues.
Moos said a national search for a replacement would begin
immediately, and that an assistant would take over as interim
coach.
This season proved to be Runge's most difficult.
Lacking the talent of her past teams, the Ducks lost five
straight games at one point, but won their last four to finish
17-12 -- still Runge's worst record in Eugene.
The players' meeting with Moos came to light the week of the
team's last regular-season game, against rival Oregon State. Runge
limited media access to the players, but before the game,
everything appeared normal, as the four seniors received bouquets
and hugs from Runge.
One of the seniors claimed that Runge had threatened to suspend
anyone who didn't hug her, but Runge said the players
misinterpreted her plea to put the troubles aside.
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