Dillard resigns under pressure

Dukes' lack of success during coach's tenure foces JMU to move in new direction

Photo courtesy of JMU Sports Media Relations Sherman Dillard stepped down as the Dukes' coach following a first-round loss in the CAA Tournament March 5. His team finished 7-21 this season, and 93-106 in his seven seasons at JMU.

Men's basketball coach Sherman Dillard resigned under pressure March 7, two days following the Dukes' first-round exit in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.

In his seven years of coaching his alma mater, Dillard compiled a 93-106 record.

Dillard's resignation is effective immediately, and includes his staff.

"It is indeed a sad day for my family and me because of the love I have for this fine university and this community," Dillard said in a written statement. "… As we all know, winning is extremely important and perhaps, depending upon who is making the judgment, the most important thing."

Dillard replaced "Lefty" Driesell as the Dukes' coach in 1997 and led JMU to a tie for the 1999-'00 CAA regular season title. Since that season, however, the Dukes did not have a season record above .500. The team struggled to a 7-21 record this season and a last place finish in the conference, a first since the 1985-'86 season.

JMU will buy out the final year of Dillard's $130,880 contract. Dillard also agreed to give up his summer basketball camp.

Should Dillard get another college coaching position next season, JMU would subtract that salary amount from the buy out payment.

Following the Dukes' 44-41 loss to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, a teary-eyed Dillard expressed his desire to stay on as JMU's coach.

"If I make that decision, I'll be back," Dillard said at the postgame press conference.

Yet, had Dillard not resigned, most critics feel he would have been fired within a matter of days.

"Coach Dillard has been very dedicated to our program and to JMU's student-athletes and their success, both on and off the court," Jeff Bourne, JMU athletic director, said in a written statement. "He gave our team and program his total commitment. His efforts have been appreciated and valued; unfortunately, the team's performance is not where it needs to be."

Dillard played for the Dukes from 1974-'78, and currently ranks second on the Dukes' career-scoring list with 2,065 points.

Before joining the JMU staff, Dillard was the head coach at Indiana State University, where he compiled a 29-52 record in three seasons. He also was an assistant coach at the University of Maryland from 1979-'85, University of California from 1985-'88 and Georgia Tech from 1988-'94.

Two days before the CAA Tournament was to begin, Dillard fired assistant coach Kevin Baggett over an unspecified disagreement. Baggett had been an assistant with the Dukes for two seasons.

"JMU basketball has a history of success, and we expect to renew that tradition," Bourne stated.

The search for a new coach will continue over the next few weeks, and JMU likely will find a replacement by early April.

Bourne is leading the search, and will get assistance from Bill Carr & Associates of Gainesville, Fla., a company that specializes in helping schools search for a new coach.