East Central University men's head basketball coach Terry Shannon has resigned his position, it was announced Friday by ECU President John Hargrave.
Shannon, who plans to explore other opportunities in athletics after leaving ECU, will complete the 2009-10 season and fulfill his teaching duties throughout this spring.
He took over as Tiger head coach midway through the 2002-03 season from longtime and NAIA Hall of Fame Coach Wayne Cobb.
Shannon's career head coaching record with ECU is 72-125, heading into the team's final four games. He joined the ECU coaching staff as an assistant for the 1994-95 season and has been with the institution since then.
As an assistant, the Tigers claimed three conference titles and appeared in three NAIA national tournaments from 1996-98. Two of those teams reached the NAIA's elite eight.
Prior to his arrival at ECU, Shannon spent one season as an assistant at Oklahoma City University, which won the 1994 NAIA national championship.
"We have accepted coach Shannon's resignation and we thank him for his 16 years of service on behalf of ECU and the men's basketball program," said Hargrave. "We are forming a screening committee and are beginning a search for a new head men's basketball coach. It is our goal to have the new coach in place as soon as possible."
ECU Director of Athletics Brian DeAngelis reiterates Hargrave's sentiments.
"I appreciate coach Shannon's efforts and dedication toward East Central," said DeAngelis.
During Shannon's OCU and ECU stints, he coached five All-Americans, 36 all-conference selections, nine academic all-conference honorees and seven freshmen of the year.
Heading into the 2009-10 season, 35 of the last 37 Tiger seniors earned their degrees.
"The ECU basketball program needs to get better and someone needs to come in and make it better," said Shannon. "I have nothing but great memories about people I have worked with and under. I have fond memories about ECU and whoever comes in here, I wish them the best. I thank the administration for all of their support and I'm thankful for all of the players who have been here."
Shannon is a 1989 graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University and earned his master's degree from ECU.
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