MOBILE, Ala. — Ronnie Arrow retired as South Alabama men’s basketball coach effective immediately on Wednesday, and associate head coach Jeff Price will lead the Jaguars as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Athletic director Joel Erdmann announced the Ronnie Arrow retirement at a 3 p.m. news conference on campus, reading a written statement from Arrow. Neither Arrow nor Price attended the news conference.
Reason Described as Personal
Erdmann said the reason for Arrow’s retirement is personal in nature. Asked whether the decision was related to the team’s performance, Erdmann did not answer directly. He said there was “no singular issue” and that “speculation is untrustworthy.”
Arrow told his players of his decision before informing Erdmann. Erdmann then met with the team, which he described as “quiet” and “surprised” by the news.
Search to Follow the Season
Price will coach the Jaguars through the rest of the 2012-13 season. Erdmann said a national search committee will convene after the season to select a permanent head coach.
Arrow was in his second stint as South Alabama’s head coach. The Jaguars are 5-5 overall and 2-0 in Sun Belt Conference play, a record that includes a season-opening win over Florida State. South Alabama’s most recent game was a victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where Arrow previously coached.
Price, like Arrow, is in his second stint at South Alabama. South Alabama plays its home games at the Mitchell Center.
Update
Erdmann said Arrow asked for, and was granted, his release during a scheduled meeting Wednesday morning. “It’s not entirely unheard of for a head coach to step down in the middle of a season,” Erdmann said. “He expressed a desire to retire, and I have accepted that notice of retirement, effective immediately.”
After Arrow addressed the team, Erdmann met with the players and told them the goals for the season had not changed, asking them to keep working toward a conference championship and a postseason berth.
“I think part of the formula and consistency moving forward is Jeff Price,” Erdmann said. “I can’t undervalue the amount of respect I have for him. The players have respect for him and I think the players will rebound and recover under Jeff’s leadership.”
Erdmann said Price would be considered for the permanent position if he chooses to apply, and Price will keep Arrow’s staff for the rest of the season. Asked whether Arrow was leaving basketball altogether, Erdmann said, “He’s retiring from his position as head coach of South Alabama men’s basketball.”
“Decisions like this are often personal in nature and I have an obligation to recognize that and move forward,” Erdmann said. “Ronnie has a great history here and we have a great deal of respect for him.”
Arrow’s Record
Arrow leaves with a 211-161 record at South Alabama, including 112-84 in Sun Belt games. He was named conference coach of the year three times and led the Jaguars to the program’s only NCAA Tournament victory, an 86-84 win over Alabama on March 17, 1989.
This season, South Alabama opened with a 76-71 win at Florida State on Nov. 9 in Tallahassee, then lost three straight at the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in Atlanta and later dropped consecutive games to New Mexico State and UAB. The Jaguars have beaten Florida Atlantic and Florida International in league play.
“We’re still 5-5 and 2-0 in the conference,” Erdmann said. “This team has battled through moments of inconsistency that has led to what we can consider disappointing losses but we have a real potential for a post-season berth.”
Saturday’s opponent, Arkansas-Little Rock, leads the Sun Belt’s West Division.
