Women's Basketball Southern Conference

Davidson's John Filar Resigns

DAVIDSON, N.C. -Davidson women's basketball coach John Filar tendered his resignation to Director of Athletics Jim Murphy late Monday afternoon, ending his 10 years at the helm of the Wildcats. This past season, Davidson posted a record of 9-19 overall, and 4-14 in the Southern Conference to place ninth in the 10-team league.

Filar compiled a career mark of 102-135, winning his 100th game this past Jan. 27 at East Tennessee State. He is the only women's basketball coach to post as many as 30 victories, and just the fourth women's coach in any sport at Davidson to amass 100 triumphs.

"At this time in your career you don't remember the wins and losses as much as you remember the people and all the great experiences," stated Filar.

Filar was hired in June of 1991 to resurrect the women's basketball program that had been discontinued after the 1985-86 school year. After leading a group of non-scholarship players through one season at the club level, Filar enjoyed a 9-13 mark in the team's first year at Division I status.

The Wildcats originally struggled in their first two seasons as full-time members in the Southern Conference, going winless in league play. Filar's incoming recruiting class in 1995-96 was rated the 20th best in the nation, however, and ushered in an era of Davidson as a force in the conference. Each of those four seasons, the 'Cats finished with winning records, including 18 wins in 1997-98 and 1998-99. In the former of those seasons, Davidson had a 12-4 mark in league play to tie for second, its highest finish in the standings ever. The next year, the Wildcats advanced to the finals of the Southern Conference Tournament, narrowly missing the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

But Davidson has had losing records each of the past two seasons, winning a total of just 19 games in that span.

"It was a very hard decision to come to," said Filar, "but I think it's time to move on to something else. You realize when things come full circle and it's time to pursue something else whether it be back at the high school or collegiate level.

"I feel very good about the program because I'm leaving behind not only good players, but quality people. I really want to thank my staff for all of their hard work, dedication and support this season and over the years."

"We are grateful for John's fine efforts on behalf of Davidson College, and we wish him well," said Murphy.

A national search for a successor will begin immediately.