March 9, 2006
Charleston, S.C. -
The Citadel Basketball Head Coach Pat Dennis has announced that he will step down from his position after 14 seasons with the Bulldogs. With an overall record of 158-232, Dennis leaves The Citadel with the most wins of any coach in the program's history.
"When I sat down several times with Coach (Les) Robinson about the situation, I felt it was in my best interest and The Citadel's best interest to move on and resign," Dennis said. "After 14 years of hard work, I can now pursue other options in my life, while the program gets a new voice."
"As Pat has said, he and I have been talking for some time and have come to a mutual agreement that this decision is in his and his family's best interest," said Robinson, The Citadel's Director of Athletics. "Pat and his family have given 14 years of their lives to The Citadel basketball program and family. He is to be commended on the fashion in which he ran the program. As I said many times, The Citadel is a great place to coach, but coaching basketball here can be a very difficult job. I applaud Pat for his loyalty and dedication to our basketball program and I wish him every success in his future endeavors."
After the most exciting postseason play for The Citadel in the last four years, Dennis led his squad to an upset victory over rival Furman in the first round of the Southern Conference Tournament last Thursday at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Bulldogs, who were coming off their first conference win in an overtime thriller at Wofford, were on an end-of-season run that found success with their last several games.
Dennis led his team to the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time since 2002, where they lost, 79-73, in an exciting match-up against eventual champion Davidson. Junior forward J'mel Everhart was named SoCon Athlete of the Week for his effort the week prior to the tournament, while also being named to the SoCon All-Tournament First Team, the first Bulldogs since Regan Truesdale in 1985. Dennis's 2005-06 squad wrapped up the season with a 10-21 record.
"I had an opportunity to coach many fine young men, while truly being touched by the Charleston community," Dennis said. "My family and I have made many lifetime friends in the Lowcountry."
During the 2003-04 season, Dennis passed Robinson for first-place on The Citadel's all-time win chart. During his tenure with the Bulldogs, Dennis has coached four All-SoCon selections, while placing seven players on the league's all-freshman squad.
"I am proud of every one of my teams and the accomplishments they made through their dedication and hard work," Dennis added. "Personally, I am proud to be leaving as The Citadel's all-time winning coach. Les Robinson has been great to work for and I wish The Citadel basketball program all the best."
Robinson announced that a nationwide search will begin for Dennis' replacement and indicated that there will be no specific timeline.
