Dooley Announces Changes to Women's Basketball Staff
RUSTON -- Louisiana Tech Athletics Director Derek Dooley announced Monday that Lady Techster head basketball coach Chris Long has been relieved of his duties effectively immediately.
Long was in his fourth season as head coach at LA Tech after spending six seasons as a Lady Techster assistant coach under Leon Barmore and Kurt Budke.
"These decisions are very difficult to make and are not made without careful consideration of all the facts and implications," Dooley said. "We are grateful for the loyal and dedicated service Chris has given to the program over the last decade."
After 25 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Lady Techsters failed to make the postseason the past two years after going 17-13 and 16-15 being eliminated from the WAC Tournament.
Following Tech's 66-61 loss to Boise State Sunday, Tech is 12-11 overall this year and sitting in fifth place in the Western Athletic Conference standings. Long was 71-44 during his head coaching tenure at LA Tech.
"Lady Techster basketball has a unique tradition and has been a tremendous source of pride for everyone associated with Louisiana Tech," Dooley said. "It is important to me that we continue to invest in the program and rekindle the effort, enthusiasm and competitiveness that has been a hallmark of all of our teams."
Dooley said that associate head coach Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Weatherspoon, a former Lady Techster, led Team USA to the 1988 Olympic Gold Medal before embarking on a professional basketball career overseas. She returned to the States in 1997 as a member of the New York Liberty of the newly-created WNBA and spent seven seasons there before playing one year for the Los Angeles Sparks.
During her WNBA career, she was a four-time WNBA All-Star, a four-time all-WNBA second-teamer and a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (1997, 1998).
During her Louisiana Tech career which spanned from 1984 through 1988, Weatherspoon was a two-time Kodak All-American (1987, 1988) and won the prestigious Wade Trophy as the top player in the country during her senior season.
She led the Lady Techsters to a mark of 118-14 during her career and two national championship game appearances in 1987 and 1988, earning spots on the All-Final Four teams both years. She was instrumental in leading Tech to a remarkable second half comeback against Auburn to claim the 1988 National Championship Title. Weatherspoon was named to the NCAA Women\\\'s Basketball Team of the Decade for the 1980\\\'s. Weatherspoon - whose No. 11 jersey is retired - still ranks No. 1 in Tech history in career assists (958) and steals (411).
"I hope our fans will come to the games and support the student-athletes during an always difficult time of transition," Dooley said. "They can be assured that our department is committed to doing what is necessary to restore the pride of the Lady Techsters."
Tech returns to action Friday night when it hosts Hawaii at 7 p.m.
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Originally Posted by Luminaire
. Never thought DD would do it before the end of the season.
