Sports Editor
Grayling Gordon abruptly resigned as PUC's men's head basketball coach late Friday, stepping down after just one season.
The Peregrines finished 6-23 during the 2007-08 season, while having all of the players maintain their academic eligibility.
Athletic Director Robert Bunnell said a national search for Gordon's replacement will begin immediately, according to a press release.
Gordon was hired last July to revive a PUC program forced into a season cancellation during the 2006-07 season due to academic ineligibilities.
"It was just a shock for all of us, none of us expected it," freshman guard Josh Collins said. "It hit a lot of us really hard, especially from someone who you get close to during the season. We all listened and tried to talk to them but I guess it's the best decision for the program. We really don't know any of the details, we just know he resigned and that's all we know so far."
The players are set to have a team meeting on Wednesday.
"All of us still plan on staying here," Collins added. "We're going to get together and probably have a separate players meeting and talk about how we have to play for ourselves and try to build upon what we did last season."
Gordon previously coached at Purdue North Central for five seasons, before coming to PUC in July. He also served as an assistant coach at PUC under former coach Gary Hayes. Gordon graduated from the University of Dubuque, where he also served as coach for three seasons.
Three incoming recruits were signed up to play next season at PUC, to add to a mix of players that lost no seniors, and featured nine freshmen.
Bunnell and Sports Information Director Dave Fanno could not be reached for comment.
The Peregrines finished 6-23 during the 2007-08 season, while having all of the players maintain their academic eligibility.
Athletic Director Robert Bunnell said a national search for Gordon's replacement will begin immediately, according to a press release.
Gordon was hired last July to revive a PUC program forced into a season cancellation during the 2006-07 season due to academic ineligibilities.
"It was just a shock for all of us, none of us expected it," freshman guard Josh Collins said. "It hit a lot of us really hard, especially from someone who you get close to during the season. We all listened and tried to talk to them but I guess it's the best decision for the program. We really don't know any of the details, we just know he resigned and that's all we know so far."
The players are set to have a team meeting on Wednesday.
"All of us still plan on staying here," Collins added. "We're going to get together and probably have a separate players meeting and talk about how we have to play for ourselves and try to build upon what we did last season."
Gordon previously coached at Purdue North Central for five seasons, before coming to PUC in July. He also served as an assistant coach at PUC under former coach Gary Hayes. Gordon graduated from the University of Dubuque, where he also served as coach for three seasons.
Three incoming recruits were signed up to play next season at PUC, to add to a mix of players that lost no seniors, and featured nine freshmen.
Bunnell and Sports Information Director Dave Fanno could not be reached for comment.
Published in the PUC Chronicle on April 21, 2008
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