Published: April 30, 2008 03:26 pm            

EKU’s Inman announces retirement at an emotional press conference

RICHMOND — For the past several years, Larry Joe Inman had been privately contemplating his future. And on more than one occasion he had seriously considered retirement.

Still, it wasn’t until just a week ago that he knew he was finally ready to make that very difficult and highly emotional decision.

“I’m retiring just because it’s the right time and now I get to spend more time with my family and my grandchildren,” the long-time Eastern Kentucky University women’s basketball coach said.

After 20 seasons at EKU, Inman announced his retirement on Tuesday during a press conference at Alumni Coliseum. The Lady Colonels’ all-time winningest coach will officially step down on June 30.

He finishes his outstanding 28-year college career with 480 wins (43rd most in Division I basketball history), a winning percentage of .602 and as the winningest coach in the history of the Ohio Valley Conference.

Inman became noticeably emotional on several occasions as he addressed a crowd of boosters, members of the media, friends of the program, school officials and current and former players during the brief presentation.

“I want to thank the many young athletes (pause) who have so impacted me and my life,” he said.

Inman came to EKU in 1988 after eight very successful seasons at Middle Tennessee State. He quickly turned around a lackluster program and in only nine seasons led the Lady Colonels to their first outright Ohio Valley Conference Championship (1996-1997).

The Gallatin, Tenn., native won 319 games and five regular-season OVC titles at EKU and guided the team to the NCAA Tournament twice (1997 and 2005). He was named OVC Coach of the Year eight times and is the only coach in league history to win that award at two different schools.

“Larry Joe Inman came to EKU at the women’s basketball program’s darkest hour and has provided us with many of its very brightest moments,” EKU President Dr. Doug Whitlock said. “For that, and for the extraordinarily fine way he has represented this institution, everyone at Eastern owes him a debt of gratitude.”

Inman’s coaching career began at Gallatin Junior High School (1970-1973) before he moved on to Mount Juliet High School where he posted an impressive 126-24 record in five seasons.

He won five OVC championships during his tenure at Middle Tennessee State (1978 to 1986), leading the school to victories in the NCAA Tournament in 1983 and 1986 before moving on to EKU.

“It seems like yesterday when Donald Combs the athletic director called and asked if I would come to Richmond, Kentucky and interview for the women’s head basketball job,” Inman said. “I did and the rest is basically history.”

Inman said on Tuesday that he is not sure what he will do following his retirement, but he left no doubt that he plans on staying in Richmond and continuing to closely follow the team he coached for the past two decades.

“I’ll be your No. 1 fan next year,” he said. “And I look forward to finally enjoying watching and supporting the Lady Colonels of Eastern Kentucky University — this time from the stands, where I can really enjoy it.”

EKU officials said in a statement on Tuesday that a search for Inman’s successor will begin immediately.

        

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