Spring Break
Former coach terminated
Mark Powell
Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: News
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Richard, 42, coached the Spartans for seven seasons, holding a 93-106 record, and said she wasn't sure exactly why her contract was not renewed.
"I don't know what the reason is," Richard said. "Other than it's a new administration and I know they like to have their own people."
Richard, who was awarded the 2001-2002 Western Athletic Conference "Coach of the Year," said she received a notice of termination in the mail on Feb. 1.
Richard's current contract expires April 30 and interim coach Derrick Allen will head the team for the remainder of the season, according to a statement from the SJSU athletic department.
"I just know that, with it being a part of business, this is how business is handled," Richard said.
Although Richard said she is aware that her situation is not uncommon in the coaching profession, she said did not believe the process would go the way it did
"You know, it's disappointing," Richard said. "With the time I've spent here at the university and not to have a conversation with anyone - to receive the letter in the mail."
Richard said that she had believed once her cancer treatments became less necessary she would be allowed to come back and coach the team.
"You know, I thought that was the way it was going to go," Richard said. "That I'd be able to take the year off and take care of what I needed to take care of medically and then be ready to return to the team after it was over.
"And it didn't happen, and I understand that because I've been in the business long enough."
Athletic Director Tom Bowen commented to the San Jose Mercury News but could not immediately be reached by the Spartan Daily.
Richard, who plans to be out of coaching for at least another year, said that she would soon be contacting University President Don Kassing to thank him for his support over the past few seasons.
"That doesn't surprise me," SJSU student Ryan Davies said, about the termination of Richard. "After (original interim coach Greg) Lockridge got put on leave, there was a lot of stuff about the school saying that she needed to stay away - that it wasn't her team."
The San Jose Mercury News reported on Dec. 7, 2006 that a letter from Kellie Elliott, associate athletic director of internal affairs for SJSU, was sent to Richard on Sept. 27, 2006 ordering her to stay away from the basketball program.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Phil Ammar
posted 2/27/07 @ 8:38 PM PST
I think the way San Jose State handled this is apalling. The President and Athletic Director's Department should be ashamed of themselves. Coach Richard has obviously suffered greatly from her battle with breast cancer and the surgery involved. (Continued…)
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