Reeves Withdraws Name From Western Kentucky University Head Women's Basketball Coach Candidate List

HATTIESBURG, Miss.—Southern Miss Head Women’s Basketball Coach Rick Reeves withdrew his name from the list of candidates for the position of head women’s basketball coach at Western Kentucky University today.

“I love it here at Southern Miss, and I love Hattiesburg,” Reeves said. “My daughters want to finish school here, Mona loves her job, and I have a great relationship with my staff and my team. I have a good working relationship with the other coaches at Southern Miss, and I have never worked for a better athletic director than Richard Giannini. It was a tough decision to say the least, and very stressful. It all boils down to, we love home (Kentucky), but we love it here also, and I believe we need to stay.”

In his first year, Reeves guided the Lady Eagles to its first postseason play since 1996 with a berth in the NWIT and finished 17-12. With a youthful team last season, he finished 12-16, but returns nine letterwinners, along with a cast of newcomers that include three players 6-3 or taller.

Southern Miss Director of Athletics Richard Giannini said, “We are obviously very pleased with Rick's decision to remove his name from consideration for the position at Western Kentucky. Since his arrival in 1999, he has provided great leadership, while building a strong women's basketball program, in terms of academic and on-the-court success. He and his staff also continue to make great strides in recruiting. Rick has lofty goals for his team, goals which we share with him."