WSU fires women's basketball coach for career record of losing seasons

Athletic Director Rick Dickson told reporters the school would not renew Rhodes' contract, which was extend for one year after last season.

Rhodes, who has spent 24 years at WSU as a player, assistant and head coach, said he told his players of Dickson's decision Monday night.

''The only disappointment I have is I couldn't do a better job on the won-loss side,'' Rhodes said.

''Part of my responsibility was to produce a winner: that didn't happen.''

The Cougars had just four winning seasons with Rhodes as head coach. This year's team finished 11-16 overall and 5-13 in the Pacific-10 Conference.

Rhodes' overall record at WSU was 194-270. His best season was 1991, when the Cougars posted an 18-10 record and earned an NCAA tournament berth.

''We determined that we're making a change in leadership,'' Dickson said at an emotional news conference in which he praised Rhodes' contributions to the women's basketball program. ''Harold will be missed,'' he said.

Rhodes thanked Dickson and WSU President Sam Smith for their support of womens' athletics and said the decision not to renew his contract was ''a business decision.'' He said he hoped there would be ''no backwash'' for WSU as a result.

Rhodes said he wants to take some time to decide his future in coaching. The past season began with the death of his father-in-law and his mother and was a difficult one for him, Rhodes said.

''A little bit of the burn wasn't there this year,'' he admitted. ''I want to make sure it is something I want to do. I need to take a little time to take care of that first.''

Rhodes' assistants were also let go, but Dickson promised to help them seek other employment, Rhodes said.

Dickson said the school would begin an immediate search for a replacement, whom he hopes to announce during the women's NCAA Final Four.